What is a Santoku knife? The complete guide

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Santoku knives are a popular Japanese kitchen tool, used by many professional chefs, but what are they? What can they be used for? What is the difference between a Santoku knife and other knife types, like Chef’s knife or Nakiri knife? And how should you choose which Santoku knife is right for you? This complete guide tells you everything you need to know about the popular Japanese knife.   What is a Santoku knife? A Santoku knife is an all-purpose Japanese kitchen knife, with Santoku literally meaning “Three Virtues”, reflecting the three main virtues of the knife: meat, fish and vegetables”. It also popularly refers to the three main functions of the knife: “chopping, slicing and dicing. The height and straighter blade of the Nakiri was retained but a sheep’s foot tip was added to handle meat better, as well as adding a gentle curve, allowing for a rocking motion as well as a straight cut and lift motion. Our bestselling Santoku knife is 18cm long, making it a great all-rounder. It is also available in smaller sizes such as the 11cm GS-57, 16cm G-57, 13cm GUS-20 and the 12cm GS-55. Many of our Santoku knives come with a fluted edge, shallow hollows that help reduce food sticking as you slice, through this is not a requisite of the knife type.   What is a Santoku knife used for? A Santoku knife can be used for most kitchen tasks, primarily for preparing meat, fish and vegetables. It easily slices through tough meat, delicate vegetables and soft cheese with little drag. Additionally, it makes quick work of herbs and can be used to dice fruit. The sheep’s foot tip makes it adept at fish preparation, such as filleting or removing skin.   Why chose a Santoku knife? A Santoku knife makes a great choice due to its versatility; it can handle the majority of kitchen jobs well. Its thin blade allows for precision cutting, while the balanced weight makes it comfortable to hold and easy to use.     Santoku knife vs Chef’s knife The Santoku knife and the Chef’s knife are similar; both being known as the workhorses of the kitchen, versatile and powerful. The main difference is that the Santoku knife is an Eastern design compared to the Western Chef’s knife. The Santoku knife is typically slightly shorter than the Chef’s knife with the G-80 being 18cm compared to the 20cm G-2. Additionally, the Chef’s knife is more curved, aiding a rocking motion, compared to the Santoku which is wider and flatter, working well for root vegetables and scooping. Ultimately the choice is down to individual cooking preference, with both making fantastic all-rounder knives.     Santoku knife vs Nakari knife Both the Santoku knife and Nakiri knife are classic Japanese knife styles though they serve different functions. The Nakiri is mainly used to cut vegetables due to its flat wide blade and lack of pointed tip. It’s heavier and works well at cutting through root vegetables, like pumpkins or squash. It however does not work as well with meat. The Santoku works better in that function, as well as handling vegetables, functioning as a multi-purpose knife, rather than being designed specifically for vegetables.   What is the best Santoku knife for home cooks? The G-80 is our bestselling Santoku knife, making it a fantastic choice for home cooks. The 18cm blade is a great length for most kitchen jobs, and it also features a fluted edge, creating air pockets that aid with food release for smoother cleaner cuts. A GLOBAL Santoku knife makes a great choice as they’re made from Cromova 18 stainless steel, making them extremely durable and rest resistant. They are also cut to a 15-degree edge making them ultra-sharp and the one-piece construction makes for easy cleaning and a hygienic home.   Can you sharpen a Santoku knife? Yes, you can sharpen a Santoku knife. We recommend using a whetstone or a roller sharpener to keep your blade ultra-sharp. A honing rod can also be used between sharpening to hone the edge.   How to choose the right Santoku knife for everyday cooking Santoku knives are a fantastic everyday cooking tool. At GLOBAL we offer 15 different Santoku knives, ranging from 18cm to 11cm in length. The choice depends on what you plan to use it for. The 18cm is great for general prep as it offers more cutting surface for larger vegetables and meat. The shorter options work well for smaller tasks or compact boards, as the short blade is easy to control.   How to care for a Santoku knife Wash your Santoku knife by hand with warm water and washing up liquid, drying immediately afterwards and never put a GLOBAL knife in the dishwasher. We also recommend sharpening every 2-3 months. Do not use your Santoku knife to cut through bone or frozen meat, or risk damaging the blade. Finally, ensure that you cut on a plastic or wooden chopping board, rather than glass, stone or ceramic, to avoid chips or dulling the blade.

We’ve made Christmas shopping just that bit easier by collecting a list of our favourite products that would make fantastic gifts for everyone in your life, whether that’s everyday cooks, bakers, hosts or the person who has it all! GLOBAL gifts are timeless and will be cherished for years to come. Or if you’re a keen cook yourself in need of inspiration for your own wish list, it’s time to take note.   For the everyday cook Treat someone to the upgrade of cooking with a GLOBAL knife. Smooth sleek cutting, sharpened to a 15° angle, the Award-Winning G-2 knife is the perfect introduction to the precision and craftsmanship that is a Japanese knife. It’s a best seller for a reason, perfect for everyday kitchen tasks such as slicing, chopping and dicing. Winner of the Which Best Knife award and the Housewares ICON award, this is a gift that will be cherished day in, day out, rather than being forgotten about at the back of a cupboard. For someone who deserves a kitchen upgrade A 3-piece set covers most of your weekly cooking needs and elevates the experience of cooking by smoothly slicing, peeling or dicing. Our three-piece sets are designed around Japanese philosophy with the Earth-Tsuchi set symbolising the firm, solid elements of our world such as rock and stone, signifying strength. Comprised of a Santoku knife, Vegetable knife and Peeling knife, this set is perfect for handling vegetables. On the other hand, the Fire-Hi knife set embodies passion and vitality with fire also playing a vital role in the culinary scene. Fire finds its culinary representation in the preparation of meat, as such this set includes a Chef’s knife, Oriental knife and an Peeling knife. So, whether you’re gifting to a meat lover or vegetarian, these sets cover all the kitchen essentials.   For the design conscious cook One of our most beautiful sets is the Water-Mizu 7-piece knife block set. It stands proudly in any kitchen, with its sleek magnetic redwood block and 6 knives which cover every culinary need with razor-sharp precision and balance. The set includes a fluted oriental cook’s knife, vegetable knife, flexible utility knife, fluted santoku knife, small bread knife and paring knife. It makes a brilliant gift that will be a joy to use for a culinary enthusiast who loves to cook just as much as they love the look of their kitchen. For the baker A fantastic bread knife can change the game for any keen baker. No one wants to put all the work into baking a delicious loaf to then fall at the last step and end up with squished, torn or uneven slices. Our award-winning G-9 bread knife solves this problem. The serrated teeth, with built-in chambers that clear crumbs easily, allow you to evenly slice crusty sourdough and pastries or level cakes.   For the host or hostess Hosting everyone for a Sunday lunch or roast dinner can be elevated with a high-quality carving set. Every host will love the gift of a Ni Carving Set, allowing them to carve roasts, poultry or large cuts of meat with ease and style. The carving fork holds the meat steady, while the thick blade and long handle of the carving knife makes easy work of any roast joint. Treat the host in your life to something they didn’t realise they needed!   For the person who has it all It’s always hard buying for the person who has everything. You don’t want to add clutter to their life but what about giving the gift of sharp knives? Our ceramic wheel sharpener is easy to use and gives unparalleled sharpness. Or if someone in your life wants to practise the skill of traditional knife sharpening, why not gift them a whetstone. Whilst they can be more challenging to get to grips with, the tool is a favourite amongst chefs due to its ability to offer further precision and control.   For every home cook The final gift on the list is so versatile, and it also makes a more budget-friendly option. The Cherry Wood Chopping Board looks beautiful in every kitchen, evoking the Sakura cherry blossom of Japan. The high-quality solid wood is anti-bacterial, doesn’t damage your knives like glass chopping boards and removes any microplastics from plastic boards. Anyone and everyone will get good use out of this gift.