Japanese knives have a unique place on the chef’s table. They are not just distinct in design but also offer specialized usage. But Japanese kitchen’s favorite is the ‘all purpose” Santoku knife. Literally, ‘santoku’ means the three virtues and this knife is named so as it can perform the three functions of slicing, dicing and mincing. The best santoku knife is the one that lets you quickly complete all your tasks with ease and comfort.
Blade and handle of this knife is balanced and work harmoniously. It is also the most popular Japanese knife in the West. The characteristic feature of this knife is the ‘Granton edge’ release pattern which incorporates dimples on the blade. Technically, this keeps away the food from sticking and adds styling to its look. So, overall you may consider Santoku to be your ‘one size fits all’ solution in the kitchen.
Ultimate Guide to the Best Santoku Knife for Your Kitchen
Types of Santoku Knives
Ranging from western style handles to stamped steel blades; marketplace is flooded with diverse varieties of santoku knives. Known for their sharp blades, they are either beveled or hollow ground.
- Large Blade – Most common varieties range from 5 to 7 inch blade
- Smaller Blade – But you may spot smaller knives of 4 – 6 inch blades as well.
Advantages of Santoku knives
While considering the quality of knives, important considerations are blade, comfort, handle and performance. Santoku knives are generally light weight, so it’s less strain for hands and makes your task quicker. It lets you chop down in one go and you can cut vegetables without the rocking motion. It uses more of a vertical chop that goes straight down. With a larger blade as compared to other utility knives, Santoku makes it easier to scoop things from the cutting board to the cooking pot. Another feature of santoku knife is the thinner blade angle and harder steel which adds to the sharpness. But there is a tendency for chipping if it’s not handled properly.
How to find Best Santoku Knife
Santoku knife has incorporated some variations and broadly known as the Asian knife. The best santoku knife would be the one which not just gives you multi-purpose functionality but also has precision and comfort.
- The ideal blade length suggested by experts is 6-7.5 inches. It is considered comfortable and dexterous for use.
- If you are desiring for everyday usage then a light weight santoku knife is preferable as it will be less tiresome for your hands
- A tough edge is another feature one has to look for in a santoku knife. Pick a durable stainless alloy for lasting sharpness and robustness.
- It should offer easy sharpening and maintenance. Some chefs do not find the Damascus cladded blade to score high on this feature.
Snapshot at 5 Best Santoku Knife
While there are a plethora of options in the market, here we will consider five most popular choices.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000QCPNWM” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”icamerarev006-20″ cart=”n” localize=”n” popups=”n”]Victorinox Fibrox 7-Inch Granton Edge Santoku Knife:[/easyazon_link]
The NSF approved knife has a multitude of features that makes it the ideal choice for everyday cooking. It’s a combination of cleaver and chef’s knife features. The granton edge flutes gives you very thin slices and avoids the food from sticking. The patented fibrox handle has a textured and slip resistant design for added comfort and grip. For edge retention and sharpness, the knife is made of high carbon steel and has conical ground for minimum resistance while cutting. Overall, it looks a good buy for home cooks and chefs too.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B000N8R278″ locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”icamerarev006-20″ cart=”n” localize=”n” popups=”n”]J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Fine Edge Pro 2-pc Asian Knife Set:[/easyazon_link]
Crafted with high quality German stainless steel, this knife incorporates all features of comfort and durability. The contoured handles have triple aluminum rivets for superior grip. It gives better control and lasting durability to the knife. The stamped blades are super sharp and made for versatile usage in the kitchen. Both knives have the ideal dimension and gives you versatile functionality. The smaller knife goes well with fish and the large knife is best for dicing vegetables. Cutting, dicing and mincing is just seamless with this 2-pc knife set. It’s a complete package that will meet most of your kitchen needs.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00009ZK08″ locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”icamerarev006-20″ cart=”n” localize=”n” popups=”n”]Wusthof Classic 8-Inch Cook’s Knife:[/easyazon_link]
This heavy knife is very useful for chopping and cutting jobs. It glides smoothly when you are cutting vegetables or even soft pieces of meat. The 8-inch blade is large enough for all your routine kitchen tasks. The blade is hand-honed for razor sharpness and is crafted from high-carbon stainless steel. The handle is traditionally styled and has triple rivets for better grip and durability. It lets you control the task and the heavy blade makes is seamless. It’s a perfect knife for home cooks and lets you work effortlessly with your chopping and dicing tasks.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B0000Y7KPO” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”icamerarev006-20″ cart=”n” localize=”n” popups=”n”]Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Santoku Hollow Ground Knife:[/easyazon_link]
This santoku is the multi-purpose utility knife suited for every kitchen. Be it dicing, cutting, slicing or mincing, it lets you do all tasks without any fuss. The D-shaped handle is made from durable pakkawood. It has a Damascus look and is fabricated from 16 layers of stainless steel. The sharp and edged blade gives better control and dexterity for usage. The 7-inch blade is the ideal dimension for home cooks and professionals too. In a nutshell, this classic knife is the perfect choice to be on your kitchen shelf.
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00081GAQY” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”icamerarev006-20″ cart=”n” localize=”n” popups=”n”]Global G-48 – 7 inch, 18cm Santoku Hollow Ground Knife:[/easyazon_link]
This is an all-purpose santoku knife that lets you slice, dice and mince. The steel handle is crafted with dimples for enhanced grip and comfort. The longer taper ensures lasting sharpness for the edge and superior durability. Made of high tech molybdenum stainless steel, the blade is tough and sharp. The flutes on the edge ensure that food does not stick while cutting. The distinct design and styling makes it lucrative and worth buying. In short, it’s a nicely styled and comfortable knife for any kitchen. This is a stylish version of your general utility knife.
Conclusion:
Whether you are a seasoned expert or an everyday cook, you probably need the best santoku knife to be the kitchen king. Always consider your specific requirements and narrow down on the options in the market. Once you put your finger on the right knife, half the battle is won.
