Photo of a Yoshimi Kato santoku knife showing the black kurouchi finish and red pakkawood handle

Santoku Knives

Santoku translates to "three virtues" (or three uses) which are slicing, dicing and chopping. It is the Japanese general purpose kitchen knife that you'll use for most cutting tasks and along with the gyuto knife it's one of the first Japanese knife shapes we recommend for most people.

Designed to be versatile, it offers a little more height than a gyuto and tends to be more consistently around 165-180mm in length.

From our blog

July 21, 2026

Santoku knives: everything you need to know

Discover what makes the santoku one of the most versatile Japanese kitchen knives and find the right one for your cooking style.

September 12, 2025

The Art of Choosing the Perfect Japanese Kitchen Knife

A guide to choosing the right Japanese kitchen knife, covering the main blade types, key factors like cooking style and maintenance, and how to care for your knife.

September 12, 2025

Keeping Your Japanese Knives in Top Shape: A Guide to Sharpening

As the proud owner of a collection of high-quality Japanese knives, I know how important it is to keep them in top condition. These beautifully crafted blades require a bit more care and attention than your average kitchen knife, but...

September 12, 2025

Where to store Japanese knives?

Discover the best ways to store Japanese knives. Learn how a knife rack, knife block, blade guard or knife roll keeps blades sharp and safe.

Frequently Asked Questions about Santoku Knives

What is are santoku knives best for?

The Japanese craftsmanship of the santoku knife shape is designed to be a highly versatile tool for slicing vegetables, fruit and cutting boneless meats. For many home cooks in particular, it is often versatile enough to cover most jobs in a kitchen and is therefore an ideal first choice for a new knife collection.

What is the shape of a santoku knife?

A santoku typically features a flatter straight edge from the heel to about half way along the blade before it gently curves upwards to the tip. This ergonomic design helps with longer cuts on vegetables and enables an easier rocking motion when cutting nearer to the tip.

What are santoku knives made of?

Like many knives, the santoku knife is made from a variety of carbon steels, stainless steels or a mix of both and the grind and blade profile can vary depending on the Japanese craftsman or workshop who make each individual knife.

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