Japanese Santoku Knives
The santoku is the all-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, the one blade that carries most of a home cook's day. Its short, flat profile stays fully on the board for quick, accurate push cuts through vegetables, herbs and boneless meat, and the thin, hard steel takes a keener edge than a typical Western knife while staying lighter in the hand. If you own one Japanese knife, this is usually it. Our range runs to 51 santoku knives, from $119.00.
Santoku knife specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Blade type | All-purpose double-bevel Japanese knife |
| Typical length | 165 to 180 mm |
| Edge | Double bevel, thin and hard |
| Best for | Vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins |
| Avoid | Bone and frozen food |
| Steel options | Stainless (VG10, SG2) and carbon (White, Blue) |
Santoku knife facts
51 santoku knives in stock here, with prices from $119.00 to $999.95. The flat 165 to 180mm blade sits fully on the board and rewards a straight push cut, which makes it lighter and more nimble than a Western chef knife on vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins. The harder Japanese steel takes a keen edge, so keep it off bone and frozen food.
How to use a santoku knife
Use a santoku with a straight push cut and let the flat edge sit fully on the board. The shorter, lighter blade suits quick prep of vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins, and the tall face lets you scoop food off the board. Keep it clear of bone and frozen food, dry it after use, and finish on a whetstone to keep the hard edge keen.
Santoku knives in stock
Hatsukokoro Kurokuma Blue 2 Kurouchi 165mm — $119.00
Tojiro DP3 170mm F-503 — $128.95
Masutani VG1 Tsuchime 180mm Black Chacate Handle — $129.95
Masutani Kokuryu VG10 Damascus Tsuchime 170mm Western Handle — $149.95
K&S VG10 Tsuchime Sanmai 180mm Western Handle — $155.95
Masutani Kokuryu VG10 Damascus Tsuchime 170mm WA Handle — $159.95
Masutani Kokuryu VG10 Damascus Tsuchime 170mm WA Handle — $159.95
Hatsukokoro Hikari SLD 170mm — $169.00
Shiro Kamo AS Kurouchi Petty 150mm Ebony — $169.95
Tsunehisa AUS8 Tsuchime 180 mm Western Handle — $169.95
Tsunehisa Ginsan Nashiji 165mm Ebony Handle — $189.95
Hatsukokoro VG5 Hayabusa 180mm Black Chacate — $189.95
Hatsukokoro Hayabusa VG10 Damascus Tsuchime 180mm Ebony Handle — $198.95
Tsunehisa Ginsan Migaki 165mm — $199.95
Shiro Kamo AS Kurouchi 165mm — $219.95
Tsunehisa Ginsan Nawame 165mm — $249.95
Hatsukokoro Kurokaze White 2 Kurouchi Stainless Clad 180mm — $259.95
Takamura SG2 Migaki 170mm — $269.95
Syousin Suminagashi R2 Damascus 170mm by Shiro Kamo — $294.95
Hatsukokoro Hayabusa SG2 180mm Micarta Western Handle — $309.95
Mazaki White 2 Kurouchi 180mm — $339.95
Nigara SG2 Tsuchime Matt Migaki 180mm Ebony — $349.95
Shiro Kamo Kurokumo SG2 Black Damascus 170mm Ebony — $349.95
Hatsukokoro Hayabusa Blue 2 Rainbow Rainbow Damascus 180mm — $349.95
Anryu Aogami Super Hammered Kurouchi 175mm Ebony Handle — $359.95
Kurosaki Fujin SG2 175mm — $369.95
Makato Kurosaki Samidorizuki SGStrix 170mm — $379.95
Hatsukokoro Hayabusa ZDP-189 180mm — $389.95
Ono Suzukaze SG2 Damascus Nakiri 165mm Tsuchime — $399.95
Hatsukokoro FAXR2 Migaki 180mm — $399.95
Hatsukokoro Hinotori V-Toku 2 180mm Rainbow Damascus finish — $419.95
Hatsukokoro Saihyo SG2 Kurozome Black Damascus 180mm Birch — $429.95
Nakagawa Blue1 Wide Bevel Kasumi 180mm Ebony Handle — $439.95
Yoshimi Kato Hyo SG2 170mm — $449.95
Tetsujin Blue 2 Kasumi 180mm — $449.95
Takeshi Saji SG2 Black Damascus 180mm Stag Handle — $450.99
Hatsukokoro Ginga ATS34 Damascus 180mm — $469.95
Takeshi Saji VG10 Rainbow Damascus Etched 165mm — $519.95
Takeshi Saji VG10 Rainbow Damascus 165mm Ebony Handle Mosaic Pin — $529.95
Hatsukokoro FAXR2 Damascus 180mm Brich — $529.95
Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Damascus 180mm Birch Handle — $549.95
Sukenari VG XEOS Damascus 195mm — $549.95
Nigara Ginsan Kurozome Damascus 170mm — $579.00
Nigara Ginsan Kurozome Damascus Bunka 180mm — $579.95
Hatsukokoro x Nigara Irodori Blue 2 Rainbow Damascus 180mm — $589.95
Takeshi Saji SRS13 180mm Western Amboyna Handle — $599.95
Yoshimi Kato SG2 Minamo Bunka 180mm Amboyna Burl Western — $689.95
Yoshimi Kato SG2 Minamo Ktip 180mm Amboyna Burl Western SP — $699.00
Hatsukokoro x Nigara Yorokobi SLD Copper Tsuchime Damascus 180mm with Saya — $749.95
Hatsukokoro Itadaki Blue2 & White2 Dual Core Damasccus Tsushime 170 mm — $999.95
Hatsukokoro Itadaki Blue2 & White2 Dual Core Damasccus Tsushime 180 mm with Saya — $999.95
Santoku knife questions
What is a santoku knife best for?
It is best for everyday prep: slicing, dicing and mincing vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins with a clean straight push cut. The tall blade also makes it easy to scoop food off the board.
What is the difference between a santoku and a chef knife?
A santoku is shorter and flatter with a rounded tip and thinner, harder steel, so it favours push cutting; a Western chef knife is longer and curved for rock chopping.
What are the drawbacks of a santoku?
The flat profile is less suited to rocking cuts, the shorter length gives less reach on large ingredients, and the harder steel needs care to avoid chipping.
Do you really need a santoku knife?
If most of your prep is vegetables, herbs and boneless proteins, a santoku handles the majority of daily cutting comfortably and is an easy first Japanese knife to own.
Related Japanese knife ranges
Related ranges: Japanese gyuto knives, bunka knives, sharpening stones and Knives and Stones. For more, read choosing a first Japanese knife and bunka vs santoku.