If you don’t have a Santoku knife in your knife set yet, you are sorely missing out. While it may have the same uses with that of a chef’s knife and can be used interchangeably with this type of knife, there are certain benefits of the Santoku knife that you can’t find in the chef’s knife or any other knife for that matter.
Cut Dice, slice and mince to perfection with the help of the Santoku knives we have listed down below for you. These are some of the best-rated Santoku knives out there and they are revered by many people because of how well they do their functions, how solid each knife feels and how these knives can last for a long time. Do check out below which Santoku knives today we highly recommend for everyday use.
Quick Comparison: Top 4 Santoku Knife
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**Below, you'll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
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Santoku Knife versus Chef’s Knife – How are They Different?
There are plenty of differences to the chef’s knife and the Santoku knife and it starts with their origin. The Santoku knife, just like what its name suggests, originated from Japan while the chef’s knife was made popular in Germany and France.
Blade Form
The Santoku knife has a wide sheepsfoot blade that has no tip. Its back curves down to the edge of the front of the blade. On the other hand, the chef’s knife has a broader blade. It curves upwards instead of downwards, which will then give it a tip. Because of this shape, the chef’s knife has a “rocking” motion to it that will allow you to slice through your ingredients without having to lift your knife. On the other hand, the Santoku knife swoops down to chop your ingredients.
The efficacy of chopping for both knives are good but the Santoku knife may be better when it comes to creating thinner slices. Additionally, without the rocking motion, there is less hand strain. If you need to chop vegetables in bulk and don’t want to be left with painful hands, go get yourself a Santoku knife.
Thinness
The blade of the Santoku knife can either be one-sided or double-sided. The chef’s knife, on the other hand, is traditionally double-beveled. The former usually has a blade angle that is much thinner. Traditionally, it has about 15 degrees angle compared to the chef’s knife’s 30-40 degrees angle.
Since the Santoku knife has one side of the blade that is flat or comes with another side that is beveled, you only need to sharpen one of its sides.
Maintenance of the Blade
While the Santoku knife usually needs one side to be sharpened, it can be more difficult. There is a learning curve in sharpening this knife. It is thinner as well, so you need to handle it carefully. Although it is made from steel materials that are harder than traditional knife materials, the thinness makes it easier to chip when not taken care of.
Which of these knives are better depends on your personal preferences. Some prefer the knives with a rocking motion but if you are looking for a faster or more efficient way of cutting ingredients, the Santoku knife is definitely an ideal choice for you.
Since the Santoku knife is capable of creating thinner slices, this knife is better used for cutting meat, cutting very thin slices of cheese, dicing and mincing fruits and vegetables, mincing herbs and cutting meat from seafood.
Best Santoku Knife Reviews
These are the features you can get if you choose these knives:
Made by skilled craftsmen, this knife is one of the best-looking ones out there with its handles made from Grade G10 material that is triple riveted for extra durability and adorned with Classic 3-Metal Mosaic Rivet. If you are looking for a knife that will serve you well for a long time, this is it. It has AUS-10V Damascus High Carbon Steel mixed with a softer kind of stainless steel that just means it can withstand wear and tear and can retain its sharpness for a long time.
Pros
- This is knife outshines others when it comes to beauty. It truly delivers when it comes to elegant appearance. You will be proud to showcase this in your kitchen.
- The handle is beautifully designed. It has a curved shape that makes this easier to hold. Plus, it is made from materials that do not succumb to corrosion or to rotting easily.
- It comes with a 100% satisfaction or money back guarantee.
- This knife is very sharp. The 8-12 degrees angle per side is really impressive. It even keeps its sharpness and features a 62+ Rockwell level of hardness.
- It keeps rust at bay.
- It doesn’t chip or gets damaged easily. It is even resistant to moisture, cold and heat.
- The handle has a non-slip grip for optimum comfort while using it.
Cons
- Some said they needed to sharpen it first before it was of any use.
This knife brings everything to the table – sharpness, beauty, durability – everything you might need in a reliable Santoku knife. Chop, dice and slice with ease, thanks to its ThyssenKrupp High Carbon Stainless Steel blade that is resistant to stain and to corrosion. Maintenance is virtually nil with this knife. It has 56 Rockwell hardness, meaning it should last you for a long time even when used all the time. It is quite the comfortable knife as well as the forged rounded handle is easy on the hands.
Pros
- Great-looking knife with an ideal length and an ergonomic design.
- This is truly made to last. The high carbon stainless steel effectively prevents rust, corrosion and stain from settling.
- It is non-stick as well. You can chop sticky ingredients with ease.
- Very low-maintenance. It doesn’t need re-sharpening that often.
- It allows you full control over what you are cooking with its robust and durable handles.
- It has a nice weight to it.
- Quite inexpensive for its brand and quality.
- Cuts up virtually everything – even hard meat with bones still in it.
- Comes with a 15-year risk-free warranty.
Cons
- Some said the handle is a bit small, so if you have big hands, this might not be good for you.
This might be your most affordable option out of all these knives, but this definitely doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the best features. The non-slip handle is ergonomic and easy to hold even when you have wet hands. It also doesn’t get damaged easily even when exposed to high and low temperatures or oil residues. The blade is made from high-carbon and no-stain German stainless steel that should not be prone to corrosion or discoloration.
Pros
- Great-looking Santoku knife. It keeps up with other more expensive but beautiful knives out there.
- It has a taper ground edge for more stability and efficiency in cutting ingredients.
- It features a Santoprene handle, which feels ergonomic and easy to handle.
- It has non-slip features. You can use it easily even when your hands are wet. The bolster is also short, making for easier handling.
- The blade retains its sharpness for a long time.
- It is NSF-certified, so you can be assured of its safety.
- It comes with a lifetime limited warranty.
- It has a good price.
Cons
- Some said the handle of this knife is too thick.
When it comes to price, this is also a wonderful choice. It is made from German stainless-steel material that will not succumb to corrosion easily. The fully forged construction will ensure this will not break or chip even when you use it on tough ingredients. It has satin-finished blades for more precise cutting results and for sharpness that lasts for a longer time.
Pros
- Very affordable knife.
- This knife has a good build. It feels sturdy and does feel like it is going to break.
- It feels well-balanced. You can cut with ease using this knife.
- It helps alleviate hand strain while chopping.
- Comes with good customer service.
- It holds its edge well. It doesn’t need repeated sharpening.
Cons
- Those who bought this a second time said this one is thinner than the first one they tried.
Which Should You Choose?
Now which of these products would be the best choice for your kitchen?
Beautiful Aesthetics: Sedge Japanese Santoku Knife 7 inch with Hollow Edge. If you are into beautiful knives that look like you spent so much money on them, get this one. It has a nice Damascus pattern that sets it apart from others. It also delivers well when it comes to durability and sharpness.
Affordable but Oozing with Quality: Zelite Infinity Comfort Pro Series Santoku Knife. This knife might be an affordable choice, but it doesn’t lack when it comes to fine quality. It has a good build and is resistant to corrosion and rust.
For People on a Tight Budget: Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Santoku Knife. Get this knife if you are on a tight budget. This is ideal for people who just bought a home and are just starting to furnish their house. Basically, if you don’t want to spend too much money, get this one.
Feels Like a More Expensive Knife: Zwilling J.A. Henckels International Classic Hollow Edge Santoku Knife. Others won’t even know this comes with an affordable price tag, so well-made it is. It is very sharp and holds up well against a high level of usage.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Santoku Knife
Choosing a Santoku knife from the plethora of options out there doesn’t have to be extremely challenging. Just keep the following factors into consideration, so you can find the best one for your needs:
Appearance. Aesthetics prove to be one of the best factors to consider. Of course, you would want something that is visually arresting. This will tell you whether it is well-made. Another thing to consider is if the design and color work with the rest of your kitchen knives. If you have other knives already in tow, get one that will also match them, so you have a cohesive-looking kitchen.
Handle. Make sure it is ergonomic. Although Santoku knives help in reducing hand strain, still make sure this knife has the ability to alleviate hand pain by having an ergonomic handle that is easy to grip. It should also be strong enough to withstand heavy usage.
Blade Material. Your Santoku knife should last for a long time. That said, check to see if the blade material used is of premium quality. Typically, you would want to go for something made from high quality carbon steel as this is capable of sidestepping common damages and corrosion issues.
Guarantee. Does it come with a guarantee? If so, this will tell you a lot about how well the manufacturing company crafted the knife. If they offer a guarantee, that just means they are confident enough about the quality of their craftsmanship.
Price. Take price into consideration as well. See to it that you are buying a well-crafted Santoku knife but without breaking the bank. The good news is, there are plenty of inexpensive choices out there that still delivers well when it comes to quality, so you won’t run out of choices any time soon.
Balance. One of the things that the Santoku knife has to offer is a good balance. The appearance just makes this easier to chop or cut through food. But still, be on the lookout for a knife that has a good balance – from its size down to the ratio of the blade to the handles.
What to Do Next?
Need to equip your kitchen with the most reliable tools? Make sure you check out our homepage and find out which products we highly recommend getting. Don’t forget to read our buying guides as well to gain confidence in buying your kitchen tools.