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A Santoku knife is almost always one of the best cutting tools in both eastern and western kitchens. It is specially crafted for preparing traditional Japanese dishes including vegetables, fish, and sushi. With its sharp and durable blade, you can cut anything into thin slices with ease and enjoy doing it too!
When looking for a Santoku knife, you're probably going to find a lot of different option out there. No worries! We have made a list of the best Santoku knives you can find. Hopefully, you’ll be able to find the right model for you after reading this article. ,Enjoy!
Best Santoku Knife 2019
For a quick overview of the chosen products, consider this table:
Santoku Model | Price | Our Rating | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
$$ | |||
$$ | |||
$ | |||
$ | |||
5. Shun Premier | $$$ |
Best Santoku Knife Reviews
Here are the in-depth reviews of the best Santoku knives out in the market today. After reading these reviews you should have a rough idea of what separates good Santoku knives from bad ones and you will be able to pick out the right one for you.
1. Wusthof Classic 7-Inch - Best Santoku Knife For Most
All knives made by Wusthof are excellent, and Wusthof 4183-7 Classic 7 inch santoku is no exception. It's the best santoku knife for most people and budgets as it features a durable and very sharp edge. It is certainly worth your hard-earned cash.
This knife is crafted with a full tang and polypropylene handle, plus the blade is made out of high carbon stainless steel. The hollows on the blade's sides enable food to slide down after cutting without sticking to the blade. The Wusthof 4183-7 classic Santoku is also comfortable to hold, has a great balance and is ideal for chopping.
The handle of this Wusthof, made from artificial materials, can endure changes in temperature and high moisture levels without cracking or breaking, unlike wooden handles. It is also more durable than commonly used plastic handles.
Since this Wusthof Classic Santoku is made of high-carbon steel, it is far more brittle than other knives and dulls more quickly.
PROS
- Affordable Price
- Non-Stick Blade Surface
- Stainless Steel
- Great Initial Sharpness
- Comfortable Handle
CONS
- Hard To Sharpen
- Brittle Blade Under Stress
2. Zelite Infinity 7-Inch Santoku - Best Looking Knife
Ever wanted to impress your guests with visually dazzling cutlery? Or do you simply want to add a sense of unique style and refinement to your kitchen? No matter what you want, the Zelite Infinitz Santoku knife will be a great addition to your arsenal of kitchen tools.
This Zelite knife has a contoured handle, made to fit your hand perfectly and be as comfortable as possible while providing you with supreme control. When you hold this knife, it’s almost like holding the hand of a loved one or your beloved friend.
Whether your baked goods are moist, flaky, soft, dry, or even feature a hard or thin crust, this tool will never disappoint you.
However, you may find that the Zelite Infinity Santoku Knife is a little on the small side. Because of that, it may not be the perfect choice for those with large hands.
PROS
- Elegant Appearance
- Durable Blade
- Lightweight
- Comfortable Grip
CONS
- Feels Smaller Than It Looks
- Styling Is Not For Everyone
This TUO Santoku knife features a Japanese VG10 layers Damascus steel blade, combining power and durability with a refined traditional look. This tool provides users with an exceptional combination of a modernly produced tool with a traditional aesthetic which you cannot get in other models.
When it comes to design, TOU Cutlery Santoku Knife will leave an awesome impression on you. It boasts an ergonomic cylindrical handle that can’t slip out of your hand and is designed for long-term use, meaning you won’t have any fatigue .
The sharp and flexible blade of this knife can cut vegetable or almost any food much faster than other knives and the cuts are seamless.
Still, while it is pretty good overall, it may not be the best knife for professional use. It looks good, for some, but I did feel the edge dulled a bit too quick for comfort.
PROS
- Comfortable Grip
- Damascus Steel
- Fancy Styling
CONS
- Blade Not Durable
- Not suitable for Pro use
- Hard to sharpen
I don't even know why this made it on our list but there has to be an example of a bad choice on every comparison guide like this one.
The Global G-48 Santoku Knife is made out of high quality stainless steel, from the tip of the blade to the bottom of the handle. The handle curves inwardly, providing you with a bit of a weird grip . A small piece of hollow metal keeps your handle from slipping forward and getting cut on the blade, but it is not very comfortable at all.
Due to its low weight and the seven-inch blade it has, using this knife is relatively easy and you can quickly cut up any type of food with it.
Still, this knife isn’t easy to use and you need the proper technique to wield it effectively. If you handle and maintain it properly, it should perform well and last for a long time.
PROS
- Easy To Clean
- Low Priced
CONS
- Too Light
- Cheap feel
- Uncomfortable Handle
- Unbalanced Blade
Are you trying to find the perfect santoku knife? Then why don’t you try the Shun Premier Santoku Knife? It is an excellent kitchen tool for slicing, dicing, and chopping.
This knife seamlessly crafted from two types of steel. The blade can keep an edge for many years without sharpening, thanks to brilliant design of this 7-inch blade. What sets it apart from other knives is the Tsuchime.
It is a hammered finish that gives it an attractive look while making a small notch on the surface. This notch helps minimize drag while slicing. This knife is easy to maintain and it will last for a long time.
Although the blade is made of stainless steel, it can easily be broken. Thus, you should not use it for cutting frozen meat, bones or other hard items.
PROS
- Layered Damascus Steel
- Very Durable Blade
- Very Comfortable Handle
- Premium Product
- Class Leading Sharpness
CONS
- Requires Good Care
- High Price
In order to pick the best Santoku knife you can get, you first need to know more about Santoku knives and how they’re different from other kitchen tools. In the next section, we will provide you with all the information you need to know in order to make an informed purchase.
So What Exactly Is A Santoku Knife?
Santoku is a word which refers to three different cutting techniques commonly used during cooking – slicking, dicing and mincing. Its blade and handle are designed to work in unison with one another, perfectly balanced in both weight and size. This way the knife can achieve the best results when used for any of those three cutting techniques.
Good Santoku knives are primarily made for the preparation of traditional Japanese dishes, so they are suitable for cutting raw fish and vegetables. The blade of a Santoku knife is much wider than normal, providing better safety and more space for the fingers of the chef so he can manipulate the knife in different and unusual ways.
Due to its sharp and extremely thin blade, this knife can make extremely thin slices with ease. In most cases, the blade comes in two variations - either with a Graton or with a smooth edge. The Granton edge has indentations on the both sides of the blade that help the food slide off the blade instead of sticking to it.
So, in simple terms, the Santoku is one of the best kitchen knives out there. It is a versatile knife which can be used for almost any task and performs them exceptionally. Getting at least one Santoku knife for your collection is something you should consider.
Santoku vs. Chef Knives
So, what is it that makes Santoku knives better than other kinds of knives? Well, there are a lot of different reasons, and we will cover a few of them here.
The first thing you might notice is that its blade is differently shaped than most other kitchen knives. The blade is flat and because of that it is more well suited for chopping and slicing rather than cutting like you usually would, by moving the blade back and forth. Chopping and making precision cuts is much easier with this type of blade, once you get used to it.
The second major difference is the fact that most Santoku blades are hollowed out and have a Graton edge. This lessened the friction when cutting wet or starchy foods like potatoes and onions, allowing you to work faster.
This allows the food to slide off the blade, when it would otherwise stick to it, helping you avoid the hassle of cleaning your blade all the time.
Lastly, most Santoku knives out there are shorter and smaller than the usual piece of cutlery. Because of this, they are an excellent choice for people with smaller hands. With this knives your hands will be far less tired when using them for extended periods, due to their better balance and lower weight.
Santoku Knife Uses
Since the Santoku knife is considered to be a general purpose knife, just like the western chef knife, it is generally used for slicing meat and vegetables. But, it is also an ideal choice for chopping and dicing.
However, you can’t use this knife like a cleaver since hitting bones and other hard materials might chip the edge, making the knife useless. Still, you can use it for crushing garlic cloves.
Along with that, the Santoku knife is also very popular due to its sushi slicing abilities, since it can make exceptionally thin slices and nothing sticks to it. Take note to wet the blade before slicing.
Those of you who love sushi and want to make it at home should most likely get a Santoku knife. Even if you purchase a cheap Santoku knife, you won’t regret it. The flat blade makes the knife much more efficient for chopping items and making precision cuts.
Here’s a video on how to use a Santoku knife.
So, Santoku knives can be use for the following tasks:
What Are The Benefits Of A Santoku Knife?
Since a Santoku knife is such a great kitchen utensil, it brings a lot of different benefits with it. Here are some of the most significant pros of using one:
- First, the Santoku knives are a lot lighter.
In general, Santoku knives are a lot lighter when compared to any traditional knives out there so they will put far less strain on you and allow you to cut faster.
- Second, they are useful for any job.
Whether you’re cutting fish, lean meat, vegetables or fruits, the Santoku knife is able to handle almost anything you put in front of it.
- Third, there is no rocking at all.
Some people might be fond of the usual chopping technique, but straight chopping is far quicker. When using a Santoku blade you don’t have to rock it back and forth and you can make incredibly thing slices because of that. A major cons for some, it can be a great benefit for others. A bit of a mixed feeling this one.
- Fourth, Santoku blades are thinner than other knives.
The thin blades of Santoku knives allow you to make incredibly thin cuts. This makes them more brittle and harder to maintain, but with proper care it is worth it.
- Fifth, it is a knife that is very easy to work with.
Due to how lightweight it is, you can easily work with this knife. They are a great alternative to some larger and heavier knives that are more akin to cleavers.
Those are the benefits that you could get by using the best Santoku knife. Indeed, it is a must-have kitchen tool particularly if you spend a lot of time preparing food.
How To Choose Your Santoku Knife?
Now that you know all of this, you might want to purchase a Santoku knife of your own. But, how to pick out the best one? Here are some useful tips you could follow:
1. Blade Material
The first thing you should consider is the blade material. Most modern Santoku knives are made out of one of these four materials:
Carbon Steel
This material is easy to sharpen and usually considered to be less expensive than high carbon steel. These blades can hold a nice sharp edge though they could be a victim of rusting and staining over time.
High Carbon Steel
This is the preferred option is you want to invest a lot of money and get a high-quality knife. It is durable and resistant to stains and rust. They also tend to hold the edge a lot longer than other knives and can be easily sharpened.
Ceramic Blades
This type of blade material requires virtually no maintenance and is also a lightweight option. The blades can hold and edge for years on end. However, the main issue with this material is the extreme fragility of it, so you can only use it along with a cutting board.
Stainless Steel
This is the most common material and also a budget-friendly option. It doesn’t hold an edge for a long time, but it is resistant to staining, rust and corrosion.
For those with a larger budget, the use of high carbon steel is a wise choice. These knives can hold an edge for a long time and are also quite easy to sharpen. On the other hand, stainless steel is also a smart choice for those who are on a tight budget.
2 .Handle Material
The handle of the knife might seem trivial however it greatly affects how the knife feels in your hand. Safety, control and balance all rest on the composition of the handle. So, what should you look for? Well, there are many different materials that are used for making knife handles, and here are the ins and outs of all of them:
Plastic
This material is a budget-friendly option. Indeed, plastic handles are very easy to maintain and are non-absorbent, but they are also slippery and too light.
Stainless Steel
This one is the most durable and the most sanitary option. These handles add a lot of weight to the knife and could make it poorly balanced. This material can also be incredibly slippery once wet. If you want to get a knife with a steel handle, look for those which have indentations or ridges for a more secure grip.
Composite
This material is a combination of the wood composites and plastic resin. Composite handles are considered to be the best by most chefs. They are also easy to maintain and offer a secure grip.
Wood
For the best looking handle, wood is a great choice. Wood handles offer an excellent grip but they might need some extra maintenance. These handles might warp or crack over time if they are regularly exposed to water or poorly maintained.
Indeed, blade and handle composition are two of the most crucial things to consider when shopping for a Santoku knife. You have to carefully consider which material suits you the best.
Final Words
This ends our review for the best Santoku knives on the market. If you are looking for a high-quality blade and are on a budget, you should probably take a look at the Wusthof 4183-7 Classic 7-Inch Knife. It offers ease of use and comfort and can handle an extensive array of tasks, making it our top choice for most people.
Some other reasons behind my choice are as follow:
There is no doubt in my mind that this Santoku knife is a great investment. Choosing the right Santoku knife might seem difficult at first, but if you have the right information it is far easier. That’s why I wrote this article and I hope all the info I gathered helped you greatly.
If you're into something more premium, in both feel and quality, I really do think the Shun Premium will be the best choice for you, especially if you have a pait of knives from Shun before.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and found some ideas for your next knife acquisition. If you have any questions, please leave your comment below. Also, don’t forget to share this post with your friends!
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