8 Best Santoku Knives Chosen By Chefs for 2023
Have you been searching for the best santoku knife for yourself or a family member? Maybe you’re wondering what exactly is a santoku knife? It’s one of the best Japanese knives used in home and professional kitchens.
What about a santoku vs. a chef's knife? The blade of a santoku is shorter, lighter and thinner than a chef’s knife and has a flat cutting edge. The end of the blade has a rounded curve with a pointed tip (instead of the more tapered and dramatically pointed tip of a Western-style knife blade).
What is a santoku knife used for? The best santoku knife is one that provides function, maneuverability and versatility for all of your cutting needs. The word santoku means “three virtues.” It refers to the three cutting tasks of slicing, dicing and mincing. Japanese knife types like the best santoku knife are designed to do all of these tasks equally well. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose kitchen tool, you’ll want to check out the features and benefits of a santoku knife.
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- Best Overall: Miyabi Evolution 7" Santoku Knife
- Best High-End Set: Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 2-Pc Knife Set With Stone
- Best Hybrid: Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 7” Santoku Knife
- Most Attractive: Miyabi Birchwood 7” Rocking Santoku Knife
- Best Budget: Henckels Classic Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- Best Professional-Style: Zwilling Pro Hollow Edge Rocking Santoku Knife
- Most Versatile: Miyabi Koh Fine Edge Santoku Knife
- Best Mid-Level: Zwilling Four Star Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
1. Best Overall: Miyabi Evolution 7" Santoku Knife
The Miyabi Evolution 7” Santoku Knife is a multi-purpose tool for chopping, slicing and dicing. Designed with ice-hardened blades to resist corrosion, it has a comfortable triple-rivet handle for fatigue-free cutting and confidence whether prepping veggies or chopping through chicken bones.
Engineered in Germany and made in Japan, this best santoku knife has a 7” blade with hollow edges to prevent food from sticking. It offers durability, comfort and scalpel-like precision for Western-style chopping techniques and Asian-style rocking movements.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
Our team loves how sharp and durable this santoku is, making it a true time-saver when it comes to food prep. Cutting and slicing take next to no time at all with an efficient tool like this.
2. Best High-End Set: Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 2-Pc Knife Set With Stone
The attractive tsuchime (“hammered”) finish of the Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 2-Pc Knife Set With Stone brings an elegant touch to any kitchen. Handcrafted in Japan, it features a 7” Japanese blade with a Western handle. Chop chicken and slice fruit, vegetables, fish and lean meats with ease. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish allows food to slide off with each cut.
One of the best santoku knife sets, it comes with a 5.3” petty knife that’s perfect for general tasks such as peeling, shaping and making garnishes. The set comes with a sharpening waterstone to keep the blades in prime cutting condition.
Why This Product Is Chef-Approved
As Chef Andy puts it, this set has everything you need if you're looking for sharp, functional knives that are comfortable to use. He's also fond of the Western handle paired with Japanese blade.
3. Best Hybrid: Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 7” Santoku Knife
A Western handle and a Japanese blade combine to make a beautiful and versatile cutting piece in the Kikuichi Elite Warikomi Damascus Tsuchime 7” Santoku Knife. The hand-hammered tsuchime (or “hammered”) finish brings beauty to the table while preventing food from sticking for clean and safe cutting of fish, poultry and produce. Handcrafted in Japan, this best santoku knife has an eco-wood handle and a stainless steel 7” blade.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
We love how practical and multifunctional this santoku is, but its beauty and comfortable handle are what make it an undeniable high-performance piece of cutlery.
4. Most Attractive: Miyabi Birchwood 7” Rocking Santoku Knife
With a beautiful birchwood handle, the Miyabi Birchwood 7” Rocking Santoku Knife makes an attractive and functional addition to your cutlery collection. This best santoku knife offers superior sharpness, durability and accuracy for chopping meat, slicing vegetables and mincing herbs and onions. It’s the perfect tool for beginners or seasoned home chefs. Handcrafted in Seki, Japan, the Japanese knife capital of the world, it has a micro-carbide powder steel 7” blade.
Why This Product is Chef-Approved
Chef Lisa can't say enough about this rocking santoku knife. This is the knife to buy, she says, if you're looking for quality over quantity. It's functional, durable, versatile and gorgeous. Take care of it, and it will take care of you.
5. Best Budget: Henckels Classic Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
Quality combines with professional level precision in an affordable and stylish knife with the Henckels Classic Hollow Edge Santoku Knife. For the beginner home chef, this best santoku knife is at the top of our list. It allows you to slice, dice and mince with confidence.
The hollow edge blade has indentations that prevent food from sticking as you’re cutting. Durable and balanced with a triple-riveted handle, it offers long-lasting sharpness and great cutting ability. This best santoku knife is available with a 5.5” or a 7” blade to serve a variety of cutting needs.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
Being foodies, our team values the functionality and durability of this knife as much as we love its aesthetic appeal. It's everything a knife should be.
6. Best Professional-Style: Zwilling Pro Hollow Edge Rocking Santoku Knife
Designed in Italy, the Zwilling Pro Hollow Edge Rocking Santoku Knife features innovative Japanese form combined with Western construction. A curved bolster provides a good grip for the thumb and index finger on the blade like a professional chef. This allows for safe cutting and less fatigue.
This best santoku knife is perfect for chefs who like to switch up culinary techniques. The precision-honed blade has a broader curve in the front, which makes cutting with a rocking motion (Western-style) easier and more comfortable. A straight back on the blade allows for a chopping motion (Asian style). The blade is made from a single piece of high-carbon stainless steel that’s ice-hardened for long-lasting stability and durability. It has a full tang, triple-riveted handle and is available in a 5.5” or 7” blade.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
This Zwilling rocking santoku impresses us for the high degree of precision we get from its curved bolster and ice-hardened, high-carbon steel blade.
7. Most Versatile: Miyabi Koh Fine Edge Santoku Knife
Whether it’s Western-style rocking or Asian-style chopping cuts, the Miyabi Koh Fine Edge Santoku Knife combines the tradition of Japanese construction with the modern design of German steel. The hand-honed blade is forged from fine carbide stainless steel that’s ice-hardened for extra durability, long-lasting sharpness and impressive performance for any type of cutting task.
With a 61 on the Rockwell hardness scale, it has a true katana edge designed after a samurai sword. This beautiful and expertly handcrafted best santoku knife is available with a 5.5” or 7” blade.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
We have a huge respect for the process behind this extremely hard and sharp blade: handcrafted, made of ice-hardened fine carbide steel and with a katana edge that makes cutting with it an immense pleasure.
8. Best Mid-Level: Zwilling Four Star Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
For home chefs looking to upgrade, the Zwilling Four Star Hollow Edge Santoku Knife is a great choice for comfort, control and safety in a best santoku knife. It’s hand-finished with artisan craftsmanship in a high-quality, functional and beautiful culinary tool. Enjoy effortless and effective chopping, mincing and slicing action.
The blade is forged from a single piece of steel that’s ice-hardened and precision-honed for durability and sharpness. Special indentations on the blade prevent food from sticking as you cut. Chip and stain resistant, this best santoku knife is available in a 5.5” or 7” blade.
Why This Product Is Cozymeal-Approved
This knife's all-around excellence is its wow-factor for our team. Sharper for longer and more durable — all the superlatives you want in a knife.
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Have you discovered the best santoku knife for your cutting and food prep needs? Whether you choose a high-end, budget or professional knife, you’ll be able to slice, dice and mince with precision and safety with any one of these best santoku knife choices.
For even more ways to elevate your kitchen, check out chef-recommended cutlery in the Cozymeal Shop.
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