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Santoku vs Chef Knife (2021)- Which One is Better?- Review of Top Products

Last Updated : December 22, 2020

Cooking will become more fun and enjoyable with the right kitchenware, and this includes a versatile knife. A handy knife makes every cutting task easier to accomplish, and food preparation becomes swift like a breeze. It is perfect for cutting, slicing, dicing, chopping, mincing, and peeling.

Just like you cannot find any kitchen without a knife in it, so also a professional chef’s knife set is incomplete without any of this versatile knife.

Are you in doubt of which of these versatile knIves to pick or you are looking for a versatile knife suitable for both home and professional use?

Santoku knives and Chef knives are commonly used and often seen in almost every kitchen. Both knives can serve as a general-purpose knife and are popular because of their versatility. ;

Santoku vs Chef Knife

An Overview Of Santoku Knife And Chef Knife

This overview will give you an insight into a Santoku knife and a Chef knife.

Santoku knife is a versatile kitchenware that is used in accomplishing a wide range of food prep tasks. The usage is a reflection of the name. Santoku means a knife of three uses or virtues. It originated from Japan, and features thinner blades for precise slicing of ultra-thin vegetables and are often lightweight.

Santoku knives are shorter in length than most Chef knives and are well suited for home chefs with smaller hands. The blade of most Santoku knives can be sharpened on both sides, making it suited for ambidextrous use.

A Chef knife is multipurpose kitchenware that is used in most cutting tasks, especially tougher ones. The blade is wider, and the length is longer, this range between 10cm to 30cm. The tip of the blade is often curved.

Although the blade is often heavier, it can be used for long with straining the arms or causing fatigue. The Chef knives originated from both France and Germany. Chef knife is the most commonly used knife in many homes and kitchens because of its versatility. Chef knife is often referred to as the workhorse of a kitchen.

Santoku vs Chef Knife

These two knives are different in some ways, and their functions slightly vary. Let us examine the difference between a Santoku knife and a Chef knife.

Blade Shape

The blade of a Chef knife is wider than that of a santoku knife and the tip of the blade curves upwards creating a pointed tip. The santoku knife blade is thinner and slightly curved at the top of the blade to meet the straight edge. Some santoku knives have hollows on the blade edge.

Each blade shape offers a unique cutting performance. Whereas the Santoku knife does not make full contact with the cutting board, the chef knife, on the other hand, makes full contact with the board when cutting. 

Function

Although both knives can handle a wide variety of food prep tasks that are similar, they still differ in functionality. A Santoku knife is best for fish, meat, and vegetables. It is most suited for slicing, mincing, and dicing. 

A Chef knife is the workhorse of a kitchen and can do all the tough kitchen tasks. It is perfect for chopping fruits, hard nuts, and vegetables.

Material

Most knife blades are made of stainless steel, but some of the steel has a higher carbon concentration in it or coated with non-stick paint. The stainless steel with high-carbon is super sharp, durable, and harder, they are resistant to corrosion, rust, and discolouration. The steel with a non-stick coating has a surface that allows for the release of ingredients with ease.

Length

Nowadays, most brands manufacture their knives in different lengths without paying attention to the standard length. The length of Santoku knives measures between 5 to 7 inches which make it easy to manoeuvre and use. The standard length for a chef knife is 10-inch.

Reviews of Top 3 Best Santoku Knife Product

Without further ado, let’s look at the top 3 best Santoku Knife on the market that is of high-quality and can stand the test of time. 

1. Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Santoku Knife

Mercer Culinary Genesis Forged Santoku Knife, 7 Inch
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The top Santoku knife on this list is a 7-inch Santoku Knife from Mercer Culinary. Made from a high-carbon German stainless steel with impressions on the edge of the blade for a free release of food. The precision forged steel is resistant to stain, discolouration, and corrosion when adequately cared for. To protect the cutting edge store in a knife stand or sheath after each use. The full bolster ensures the knife is well balanced in hand and protects the fingers from sliding to the blade.

Mercer Culinary Santoku Knife is a combination of both modern technology and craftsmanship. The non-slip handle is comfortable to use even with oily and wet hands. This product is not dishwasher friendly and should not be washed with harsh detergents. Wash with your hand, warm water, and mild soap. 

For durability and edge retention, this product requires extra care and maintenance. Intense heat can damage the knife handle. The blade can pit, rust, or discolour when immersed in water for an extended period.

The Santoprene handle ensures a well secured and comfortable grip.

The blade edge is tapered ground for easy sharpening, long-lasting sharpness, added stability, and high efficiency. The handle is fully tanged with a rivet for excellent balance.

Pros

Easy to use

NSF certified

Precision-forged construction 

High-quality German steel

Limited lifetime warranty

Cons

Requires extra care

Costly

2. Wusthof Santoku Knife

Wusthof 4182 Santoku knife, 5″, Black
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This lightweight Santoku knife by Wusthof features some dimples on the blade edge that ensures an easy release of ingredients from the blade. The bolster provides maximum safety for the fingers and superior balance.

The handle has three rivets that enhance its durability. This product is precision-forged from single high-quality steel with no joints. The technology used in the construction of Wusthof Santoku knife edge is precise, this helps in increasing the sharpness to 20%, and the blade lasts longer. 

A special disc was used in creating a finely finished polish for the blade. This product has a superior cutting performance. The slightly curved blade is thinner and sharper with excellent edge retention. 

This product is handcrafted from a single piece of premium quality stainless steel, and the handle is made from a durable synthetic material that is resistant to discolouration and fading. This 5-inch Santoku knife is easy to maintain and handle.

The hollow edge blade minimizes drag and abrasion. This knife is tempered to 58-degree hardness. This knife has a reddish Trident logo stickered to its handle. It is full tang for precise control. This Santoku knife is suitable for a wide range of food prep with a non-stick surface that prevents food from adhering to the blade. 

Pros

Versatile

Super sharp edge

Full tang

Triple-riveted handle

High-quality material

Cons

The logo is not embossed on the handle

3. Shun Premier Santoku Knife

Shun Premier 5.5-inch Santoku; Top Performance in Smaller Kitchen Knife; Proprietary Steel, High-Performance Blade; Hammered Tsuchime Blade Finish; Walnut PakkaWood Handle; Handcrafted in Japan
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This 5.5-inch Santoku knife is an excellent choice for a variety of food prep tasks. It is handcrafted in Japan like the ancient Japanese swords with a touch of modern technology and features a superior performance blade. Suitable for both home or professional use.

The cutting edge is hand sharpened to an angle of 16 degrees, which ensures the edge remains razor-sharp. This Shun Premier is made of super-strong VG-MAX stainless steel, one of the hardest steel from Shun. The blade features a flat ground design with a quick taper and double bevel edge. This product is constructed to fit the contour of any hand size comfortably. It is lightweight, sharper, harder, and corrosion-resistant.

This fine-grit stainless steel has been enhanced for strength, superior cutting performance, sharp blade, and supreme edge retention. The pakkawood handle has a full composite tang that enhances its strength.

The end cap is embossed with a shun logo which gives it a sleek appearance and adds balance to the knife. The walnut-coloured handle is highly durable and will not accommodate bacteria.  

This product is backed against manufacturing defects by the manufacturers and offers free sharpening service for their knives. The hand-hammered finish creates a non-stick surface which allows for an easy release of ingredients from the blade when chopping. 

Pros

Hand-hammered finish

Durable

Sleek design

Offers an easy grip

Long-lasting edge

Cons

Require extra maintenance

Reviews of Top 3 Best Chef Knife Product

Here are the top 3 best Chef Knives available in the market at affordable rates and with beautiful designs.

1. Home Hero Chef Knife Set

Chef Knife Set Knives Kitchen Set – Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives Set Kitchen Knife Set with Stand – Plus Professional Knife Sharpener – 7 Piece Stainless Steel Cutlery Knives Set by Home Hero
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Home Hero comes with 5 various stainless steel kitchen knives. They include a chef knife, paring knife, bread knife, utility knife, and a carver.

The knife block is a beautiful piece of art that requires minimal space on your kitchen top for storage. The stand helps you to store the knives for easy access and protects the edge. The sharpener enables you to sharpen your knives before or after use or at your convenience.

Home Hero Chef knife is made from high-quality materials that are durable and can last for years. This product comes in a well-packaged box and can serve as a gift to a friend or family member for any occasion. The construction and design are unique. It has a non-stick coating. A great knife set with a stand and a sharpener.

This product meets all your kitchen needs with the various knives in the set. The knives can handle any food prep task from delicate foods to hard ingredients.

It is a perfect choice for both professional chefs and home cooks.

The handle is non-slip that offers you a firmly secured yet comfortable grip. It is easy to use and maintain.

The blade surface is non-stick and scratch-resistant. The knives do not need to be honed before the first use, and it comes right from the box extra sharp.

Pros

2-stage sharpener

A transparent knife block

Affordable

Versatile

Non-stick coating surface

Cons

warp easily

2. Zelite Infinity Honesuki Knife

Zelite Infinity Honesuki Knife 4.5 Inch – Alpha-Royal Series – Japanese AUS-10 Super Steel 67-Layer Damascus – Razor Sharp, Superb Edge Retention
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Zelite Infinity chef knife is constructed from a premium Japanese AUS 10 steel with 67-layer Damascus stainless steel. This 4.5-inch chef knife has superior edge retention with 61 Rockwell hardness. The blade is rust-resistant, stain-resistant, and produces a long-lasting performance. The round G10 handle is comfortable to grip and light.

The full tang and tapered bolster ensure the knife is well balanced and gives precise control, which is ideal for both home cooks and professional chefs. This chef knife offers an effortless cutting experience. Plus your arms don’t get tired, or your wrist strained after long use. It is suitable for both delicate and tough ingredients.

This product features a classic triple metal rivet for durability, strength, and balance. The black handle is made from a military-grade material.

The heat tempering process creates a durable, sharp edge with a non-stick surface that ensures a free release of food. The Tsunami Rose Damascus pattern of the blade gives the knife an elegant look.

This product comes with a money-back guarantee, shows how confident the manufacturers are about the quality. It offers 100% satisfaction to the users. Hand sharpened to a razor-sharp angle of 12 degrees through the 3-step Honbazuke process. This versatile hand-finished knife arrives in a nice packaging box giving it a unique look and a perfect gift item for any occasion.

Pros

Lifetime warranty

Durable

Razor-sharp edge

High-carbon stainless steel

Stain-resistant 

Cons

Require extra maintenance

3. Shun Classic 6″ Chef’s Knife

Shun Classic 6 inch Chef’s Knife Double-Bevel VG-MAX Blade Steel and Ebony PakkaWood Handle Smaller Size, Lightweight and Easy to Maneuver, Handcraf, Black
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This product features a 6-inch blade that is perfect for cutting vegetables, chopping onions, and dicing. The handle is ergonomically designed with an ebony-coloured natural wood and a synthetic resin that is durable and resistant to bacteria. It is mostly suitable for cooks with small hands.

The stainless steel full bolster protects the fingers from sliding to the blade when in use, ensuring optimum safety. Hand washing is recommended for care and maintenance. It offers a limited lifetime warranty.

Shun Classic Chef knife is handcrafted in Japan with a mixture of ancient craftsmanship and modern technology. The D-shaped handle ensures balance, stability, and safety. It offers a comfortable, secure, yet firm hold. The shun logo is embossed on the knife blade, and the end cap provides a fine finish touch giving it a sleek appearance and elegant design. 

The blade aids in the transfer of ingredients from the chopping board to the pan. The double bevel blade is easy to control and lightweight. This product has a razor-sharp blade constructed from advanced stainless steel.

The VG-MAX steel is an alloy of different elements such as tungsten, chromium, vanadium, cobalt, and high-carbon for supreme sharpness, durability, extra strength, and stain resistance. It can handle any kitchen task with ease.

Pros

Offers a limited lifetime warranty

Lightweight

Pakkawood handle

Multipurpose usage

Longer edge retention

Cons

Not ideal for large hands

Conclusion

With proper care and maintenance, any of these versatile knives will last for years and can be passed down to generations. Everyone has their various cooking needs and preferences. These often serve as the main determinants of the knife they buy. 

The available budget and purpose of the knife will determine if you will buy a Santoku knife or a Chef knife.

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