A Buyer’s Guide to Santoku Knife!
If you want to excel in culinary art, then it is important to understand the different knives and their uses. Knives are of various types and are broadly classified as Western and Japanese knives. If you have an interest or your interest is developing in understanding different knives, then you are at the right place.
In this article, we will discuss one of the most important Japanese knives which is none other than Santoku Knife.
Read on to know what this article will cover:
● Introduction of Santoku Knife
● Features of Santoku Knife
● Its Uses
● Tips for Choosing the Perfect Santoku Knife, etc.
What is the Santoku Knife?
Santoku Bocho, commonly known as Santoku knife, is the most recognizable knife shape in the world today. Primarily it is a Japanese knife with a slight touch of Western style. A Santoku knife is a multi-functional knife that translates to “Three Virtues”. But why?
The three virtues of the Santoku knife refer to its versatility in use for slicing, chopping, and dicing. Or it is used to deal with meat, fish, and vegetables. The name “Santoku” tries to imply the extreme versatility of the knife contributing to its extreme popularity around the world. The shape of the Santoku knife was originally developed around the 1950s in Japan. But has since been copied by knife makers throughout the world.
A Santoku knife holds significant importance in home and professional kitchens. It is a shorter version of the average 8” chef’s knife making it a little easier to wield and less intimidating. Characterized by sheepsfoot blade and straight cutting edge, a Santoku knife is perfect for push-cutting and tap-chopping techniques.
What are the Features of a Santoku Knife?
A traditional Santoku knife crafted by a professional knife maker offers excellence in versatility, functionality, and maneuverability. In this section, we will discover what makes a Santoku knife so functional and versatile. Without any further delay, let’s begin!
Some key features that make the Santoku knife superior to other versatile cutlery are listed hereunder:
● Size: The average length of a Santoku knife is around 5-7 inches. However, customized Santoku knives or Santoku knives from private companies may have different lengths.
● Construction: Santoku knives are made of ultra-durable and ultra-light material. Typical materials for blades include stainless steel, carbon steel, etc. Whereas, ergonomic material is preferred for the construction of the handle.
Note: Highly unique or customized Santoku knives can also be made with premium materials including Damascus steel.
● Blade Shape: Santoku knives usually have a wide blade with a pointed tip. Also, many Santoku knives feature a Granton edge (dimples or scalloped along the sides).
● Bevel: When Santoku knives were introduced, they were single bevel. Which means they have only one sharp side. But as their popularity increased, some manufacturers introduced double-bevel knives (both sides of the blade are sharp). This even increased their demand in Japan and the Western Hemisphere.
What are the Uses of a Santoku Knife?
Santoku knives are popular and in demand because they are used for different kitchen tasks. Some are listed hereunder:
1. Whether you want to cut meat or vegetables, the sharp blade of a Santoku knife is the best option for you. However, it should be noted that you will need a separate knife for disjointing or boning tough cuts of meat.
2. The cutting edge of a Santoku knife is perfect for dicing a variety of fruits and vegetables. It is believed that the sharp edges of these versatile knives cut through fruits and vegetables as they are as light as air.
3. Last but not least, whether you want to mince vegetables or meat, a Santoku knife has got you.
Pro tip: If you want to get precise and perfect mincing, we suggest using a Santoku knife right after you sharpen it.
4. According to professional chefs, all sorts of Japanese knives are best for slicing. But why? This is largely due to the fact that their blades are sharp and extremely thin.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Santoku Knife:
Every chef whether professional or home chef largely deals with cutting, mincing, slicing, and dicing vegetables, fruits, and meat. In order to perform such tasks efficiently, it is important to include a Santoku knife in your kitchen knife set. Some tips for choosing the perfect Santoku knife are listed below:
1. Before investing in a Santoku knife, get to know which material is used in its construction. Generally, you have a choice between stainless steel and carbon steel. The material used in making a Santoku knife greatly affects the overall performance of the knife.
For example, it will affect the edge retention, sharpness, etc.
Note: Carbon steel is perfect for retaining sharp edges for longer and is comparatively easy to sharpen compared to other materials. On the other hand, Santoku knives made with stainless steel are difficult to sharpen and are less costly compared to carbon steel Santoku knives.
2. The second thing that should be considered seriously is the size of the Santoku knife. Santoku knives come in various sizes. A Santoku knife with a blade length of 165 mm is ideal for most tasks. Before buying one, you can consider other factors including your hand size, workspace size, and size of ingredients that you most commonly deal with.
3. Lastly, it is important to consider the grip of the knife. You can invest in a hundred-dollar knife but if it does not provide an ergonomic grip, then it’s a big loss. The handle of any knife greatly affects its balance. Before buying, take the knife in your hand and judge for yourself whether it feels comfortable in your hand or not.
List of Top Santoku Knife in 2025:
Some Santoku knives that are known for their ergonomic grip, perfect craftsmanship, and performance in kitchen prep are listed hereunder:
1. Sakai Takayuki 33 Layer Damascus 180 mm
2. Shun Premier G-48 7” Santoku Knife
3. Kazan Ginsan Nashiji Santoku 170 mm
4. Zelite Infinity 7” Santoku Knife, etc.
The Takeaway:
The Santoku knife is perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing vegetables, fruits, and meat. Before investing in a Santoku knife, it is important to consider important factors including size, construction, blade shape, and bevel.