A Santoku knife is designed to make it easier for you to work in the kitchen. Be it to cut meats, vegetables or even delicate items like citrus fruits, and a sharp-edged Santoku knife will make it easy for you to slice and dice. The very Best Santoku knives are one that is lightweight and easy to handle. Originating in Japan a typical Santoku knife is 13 to 20 centimeters in length. The extremely sharp flat edge of the blade and the angle at the approach point makes it easy for you to slice, dice and chop a variety of items.
Santoku Knife vs Chef Knife
In your kitchen, you must have seen the broad blade Chef's Knife. Although similar, yet there are quite a few differences between a Chef's Knife and a Santoku Knife. The first being, a Santoku Knife can be sharpened up to fifteen degrees on one side, whereas a Chef's Knife can be sharpened only up to thirty degrees. This means that the cutting angle of the Santoku Knife can now range from ten to fifteen degrees, thereby making it easier to cut, chop and slice. Hence, a Santoku Knife can be used to make much more delicate cuts making it an ideal kitchen knife.
Know your Knives
When you go to purchase a Santoku Knife, you must first learn about its features. It is also essential to compare the Santoku with your standard kitchen knives to understand which is better. When you compare the Santoku vs Chef Knife, you will have to take into consideration factors like thickness of the blades, the performance of the individual knives and the ease with which you can cut, slice and chop items with these knives. You must also learn about the material with which the blades are made. I found the following features of the Santoku Knife to be most impressive:
Blade Thickness
When you purchase a knife, it is essential to take into consideration the thickness of the blade. It is both the thickness and the sharpness of the blade that helps you achieve those paper-thin slices of vegetables, which you are used to seeing in cookery shows. To make it easier for you to get professional-looking slices manufacturers to keep the thickness of a shorter Santoku Knife within 0.06 to 0.10. For longer Santoku blades the depth ranges from 0.10 to 0.15. This also makes it easier for you to slice the items smoothly and with the least amount of effort.
Blade Material
Irrespective of whether you are purchasing a Santoku Knife or a Chef Knife, it is crucial that you evaluate the material with which the blade has been made. Originally the Santoku Knives are made using stainless steel. These blades are sharpest and are made using forged laminated steel with cladding. Since the blades are from stainless steel, these are resistant to rust. However, nowadays you can purchase Santoku Knives made of a variety of other materials like ceramic and Damascus steel. The material with which the blade is made adds to the strength of the knife. It also helps the knife to cut objects smoothly.
Blade Length
The length of the blade of a typical Santoku Knife ranges typically between 15 to 18 centimeters, which is 6 to 7 inches. Although there are different types of Japanese knives available in the market, a typical Santoku Knife cannot be smaller than 10 centimeters in length. Usually, kitchen knives are more extended than these types of Japanese blades and are at least 20 centimeters in length. However, the length of the blade does not decide the strength of a knife. Even if a Santoku is smaller than a standard kitchen knife, it is no less reliable or sharper blade.
Hollow Edge
Santoku Knives have hollows or dimples on its edges. These dimples or hollows give the knives the unique feature, which ensures that the object that you slice does not stick to the blade of the knife. Santoku knives are usually used to cut sticky items like meats, fishes, onions and garlic. If you want to finely slice these items finely and ensure that these do not stick to the knife, then you must use a Santoku Knife to chop these items. The hollows on the blade of the knife will ensure that the slices smoothly fall off the edge of the knife.
Handle
The handle of a typical Santoku Knife is usually made of wood. However, if you are looking for a different type of handle that gives you a better grip, then you can opt to purchase a Santoku with a synthetic handle. Sometimes a wooden handle often adds extra weight to the knife and can make it a little unwieldy. If you want something light and easy to use, you can opt to purchase a modern version of a Santoku that has a metal or a synthetic handle. These types of handles are also easier to maintain in comparison to wood.
Thus, Santoku Knives are unique blades that are ideal for your kitchen because a single knife can be used for several purposes. You can use it cut, chop and finely slice vegetables. Similarly, the same knife can be used to slice and dice meat, fish and seafood. Moreover, maintaining the blade is also equally comfortable. All you need to do is clean it with soap and keep the edge free of dirt and debris, and the knife will last a lifetime.
Review of the Best Santoku Knives
I've been looking some time for a stain-resistant Santoku Knife when I came across the particular knife manufactured by Tojiro.
In my opinion, the Tojiro DP Santoku one of the best if you are looking for a hybrid knife. It is lightweight and easy to use. Being lightweight, you can easily slice through any food that you wish to cut. A unique feature of the knife is that it is so well balanced that whether you are left-handed or right, you can deftly use the blade. The handle of the knife is made of dense resin which gives the knife its overall structural integrity.
Pros:
- Stays sharp for a long time
- Low maintenance
- Good for beginner
Cons:
- Handle feels slightly uneven
This 7-inch Santoku knife is simply a work of art! This handcrafted blade is indeed one of the most beautiful Santoku knives. Manufactured by Japanese experts and artisans, it is ideal for cutting all types of food items, including the most difficult ones like lobster and crab.
This knife has an extremely sharp stainless steel blade with a mahogany handle. The entire look of the knife is modern and chic. The blade is made of sixteen layers of hammered steel which helps reduce friction and makes slicing and chopping almost effortless! I can now even mince garlic and ginger using the same knife.
The only issue that I sometimes face with the knife is that the handle is made of wood, so I need to keep it dry to prevent molds. Also, the knife is a little pricey because it is handcrafted and not mass-produced. But the Yoshihiro VG-10 Damascus Santoku is not just a blade but an everlasting piece of art that will make your kitchen and your dishes beautiful!
Pros:
- Extremely sharp
- Hand-crafted
Cons:
- Requires heavy maintenance
Among the various Santoku Knives, one of the best is the Mac Knife MSK-65.
The unique feature of this knife is that it is perfectly balanced. The knife is about 11.69 inches in length, and this is inclusive of the handle of the knife. The length of the blade is 6.69 inches, and the height of the edge is 1.82 inches. Thus, the height and width of the side are such that you can smoothly cut the items.
The thin 2mm edge makes it easy to slice through even hard foods like potatoes, carrots, beetroots and other root vegetables. Similarly, the dimpled edges of the blade make it easy to slice through all different types of items like meats, fishes, seafood and even delicate citrus fruits.
I have always wanted to slice through these items swiftly and deftly like a chef, and this knife makes it happen very quickly. The only issue that you may sometimes face with the knife is that it can seem a bit unwieldy. Also, it is vital to keep it clean to make the best use of it.
Pros:
- Makes smooth cuts
- Easy to cut harder foods
Cons:
- Difficult to carry for long times
The Misono UX10 Santoku is a Swedish stainless steel knife with a long edge. I find that this 18-centimeter long blade ideal to make thin slices.
This knife is great for making thin, uniform slices of items like potatoes, carrots or other similar root vegetables. The sharpness and the flat cutting edge of the knife make it easy to handle the blade.
Moreover, the blade is riveted onto the handle with nickel bolsters. It not only adds to the elegance and appearance of the knife but also ensures that the blade stays in place.
It is a multipurpose knife ideal for cutting vegetables, meat and seafood. The only thing that I had to manage was my budget to make the purchase. But once I made the purchase, I never regretted it. Also, you will have to ensure that the knife is well-maintained so that the blade does not lose its sharpness. So keep the knife as good as new just keep it clean and the knife will become the blade you use every day.
Pros:
- Easy to use for a long time
Cons:
- Expensive
- Requires maintenance
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Food doesn't stick
Cons:
- Expensive for the quality
Pros:
- Hard to cut through meat
- Extremely sharp
Cons:
- Requires heavy maintenance
- Expensive
Pros:
- Easy to hold
- Well balanced
Cons:
- Deeper curve may not be easy to use
Pros:
- Well priced
- Great for beginners
Cons:
- Can break if used inappropriately
This is a knife I believe is to be reckoned with. The sturdy blade and the eight to twelve-degree angle on each side of the knife make cutting any item in your kitchen smooth. After purchasing this knife, I have been using it regularly to everything from root vegetables to citrus fruits.
Using this knife is seamless, you do not need to put any extra pressure on your wrist to cut through the objects. You can easily slice, dice and chop all items with smooth rocking motions.
Additionally, I find that the grooves on the knife to be extra helpful. It prevents the vegetables and fruits that I am slicing from sticking to the blade of the knife. These fall off from the edge smoothly.
The knife, however, is a bit expensive priced. However, I believe that it is a worthwhile investment because you will be making maximum use of your knife. Also, you must maintain the blade and keep the surface clean; otherwise, the knife will become dull. But I believe that is applicable for all knives.
Pros:
- Sharpens easily
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Knife pattern isnt prominent
Pros:
- Comes sharp, out of the box
- Innovative design
Cons:
- Dulls fast
Frequently Asked Question
Which knife is best santoku or chef?
Both chef knives and santoku knives are great for different reasons. The lightweight santoku knife is better for making thin slices but the firm chef's knife is a great all around knife to have in the kitchen.
What makes a good Santoku knife?
High quality santoku knives have thin, flat blade which helps make thin cuts, and are made of quality materials like Japanese high carbon steel blades, which is very rust resistant and keeps the razor sharp edge for a long period of time.
Can you use a santoku knife to cut meat?
Santoku knives can cut meats as well as other ingredients. This Japanese knife is great for making those thin slices and the high quality material helps keep its sharp touch for a long time compared to other knives.