7 Best Santoku Knives – Carefully Selected by a Former Professional Chef

If you’re new to cooking and wondering, “Which knife should I get?” — the Santoku knife is a great place to start.

It’s an all-purpose knife that handles meat, vegetables, and fish with ease, making it a favorite among both home cooks and professionals.

In this article, I’ll explain how to choose a Santoku knife and introduce 5 pro-quality models and 2 budget-friendly options I’ve carefully selected.

What Types of Knife Materials Are There?

Knife materials are mainly divided into three categories:

• Carbon Steel
• Stainless Steel
• Ceramic

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each type.

Pros and Cons of the 3 Main Knife Materials

---

---

Material	Pros	Cons	Recommended for
Carbon Steel	・Exceptional sharpness ・Becomes incredibly sharp when honed	・Prone to rust ・Requires more care and maintenance ・Discolors with onion acids, etc.	Those who prioritize sharpness Cooking dads or professionals
Stainless Steel	・Rust-resistant ・Easy to maintain ・Some newer models are very sharp	・Slightly less sharp than carbon steel ・Some models are harder to sharpen	Busy home cooks looking for daily ease
Ceramic	・Lightweight ・Does not rust ・Stays sharp for a long time	・Prone to chipping when cutting hard foods ・Some users find it lacks weight	Perfect for fruits and veggies Also great as a second knife

What Size Knife Should You Choose?

Recommended for Men

Around 21–24 cm

Recommended for Women

Around 18–21 cm

What Knife Brands Do Professionals Use?

A high-quality knife can last a lifetime.
When I worked in the food industry, these brands were popular among chefs:

• TOJIRO
• GLOBAL
• Sakai Takayuki
• Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide
• Misono UX10

They’re professional-grade, but many models are beginner-friendly too.

Top 5 Recommended Santoku Knives

①TOJIRO

A perfect balance of sharpness, comfort, and price!
This knife is used by professionals and is beginner-friendly too.
Made of stainless steel, it’s rust-resistant and easy to maintain.
My top pick!

②GLOBAL

Stylish design and lightweight feel!
Made entirely of stainless steel with no seams — super hygienic.
It looks cool too, making it a great gift option.

③Sakai Takayuki

Ideal for those who want beauty and performance.
The Damascus steel blade has gorgeous patterns and excellent sharpness.
Slicing meat or fish feels incredibly smooth.

④Sakai Ichimonji Mitsuhide

Perfect for those looking for a lifelong kitchen tool.
A traditional stainless Santoku from a historic Sakai brand.
Exceptional sharpness and durability — built to last for years.

⑤Misono UX10

Bring a professional-grade “dream knife” into your kitchen!
Loved by chefs everywhere, the UX10 series features a comfortable handle and razor-sharp blade.

Budget-Friendly Knives

①Henckels

From Zwilling, the world-famous German knife maker, Henckels offers amazing quality at an affordable price — perfect for everyday use.

②Seki Magoroku (KAI)

Made in Seki City, Gifu — Japan’s blade capital — by long-established brand KAI.
The Seki Magoroku series is well-known for quality and tradition, yet affordable for home cooks.

For Kids

The Little Chef Club line by KAI is made for kids.
Features like a rounded tip and anti-slip grip help kids safely enjoy their cooking debut!

Sharpening Tools for Stainless Steel Knives

Here’s a popular whetstone that even beginners find easy to use.
It comes with a non-slip base and works well with stainless steel knives.

＼Highly rated and best-selling on Amazon／

Also, we had this sharpener at my workplace — great for quick touch-ups!

＼Amazon Best Seller — works with stainless steel knives too／

Handy Tool for Maintaining the Right Sharpening Angle

＼Great for keeping the right angle when sharpening knives!／

Summary

Choosing the right knife can feel overwhelming.
I hope this guide helps you find the perfect one for your kitchen♪

Thanks for reading to the end!