Santoku – a universal kitchen knife with a double-sided sharpening, is perhaps the most popular model of Japanese knives. "Santoku" literally translates as "three good things" or "three uses". It means that it is good to cut, chop and crumble with such a knife. There is also a version that means that the knife can be used for vegetables, meat and fish. As a utility knife that you use every day for cooking, a santoku can easily replace a chef' knife.
Santoku, unlike the usual European chef's knife, has a different blade shape – its tip is lowered, and the cutting edge has a more straight shape. So, this kitchen knife is also suitable for chopping. The blade length of the santoku is usually 16-18 cm. Sometimes there are models with a short blade - only 14 cm. Pay attention that knives with a shorter blade, the handle is also shorter than a standard-sized santoku. Therefore, knives with a shortened blade fit better in a woman's hand, and for men the handle may be too short and uncomfortable. Often there are air pockets on the santoku blade, which prevent sticking of products. However, this does not work with all vegetables.
Like other Japanese kitchen knives, santoku is made of both stainless and carbon steel. If you don't have time to take special care of the knife, we recommend choosing a stainless steel santoku. If you are ready to immediately wipe the knife dry after washing and periodically care it with oil, feel free to choose a carbon steel santoku. It can be sharpened to razor sharpness and it will keep sharpening for a long time. However, currently there are high-carbon Japanese steels that are corrosion resistant, such as, for example, VG10.
Regardless of what materials the santoku knife is made of, it cannot be washed in the dishwasher. Washing in the dishwasher damages the handle material and the blade. To protect the santoku blade and other Japanese knives from damage during storage or carrying, you can use a special saja sheath. This is a wooden case that can be put on the blade and, if necessary, secured with a special pin. Saja can also be bought online in our store.
In general, the Japanese santoku knife may well replace the classic European chef knife in the kitchen. Or become a great addition to it. Here you can buy online santoku knives of the best Japanese brands and craftsmen: Kasumi, Tojiro, Mcusta Zanmai, Seki Kanetsugu, Miyabi, Yu Kurosaki and others. If you have any questions about Santoku, our consultants will be happy to answer you in an online chat or by email.
