Santoku knives
The Santoku knife is a versatile Japanese creation that’s made its way into the kitchens of top chefs around the world. For slicing, dicing and even mincing, the Santoku knife is all you’ll need. The clue’s in the name - Santoku actually means ‘three uses’, and this is one investment that certainly earns its keep.
Jamie Oliver wouldn’t be without his trusty Santoku knife, and now you needn’t be either. We’ve got a fantastic range of Santoku knives for all budgets so you can pick up this multipurpose marvel at a price point that’s right for you. Team it with one of our chopping blocks and food prep will become a breeze.
Santoku-who?
If you’re wondering what a Santoku is used for in cooking, the answer is as broad as you like. Santoku knives are perfect for food prep: use them to chop and dices veggies like carrots or celery, to mince garlic and spices, to slice fish and meat - and lots more. Santoku knives cut more precisely than other types of knives, so they’re good for slicing thinly, and because they’re lightweight, you won’t need to use as much force to get great results.
Chef’s knife - or Santoku knife?
A Santoku knife is a type of chef’s knife but not in the traditional sense. We tend to think of chef’s knives as the typical French or German styles, with a curved edge tapering to where the blade and the handle meet. Where chef’s knives are more curvaceous in style, Santoku knives more closely resemble cleavers - but don’t hold that against them.
Despite their hard-hitting looks, Santoku knives have the finesse to handle delicate ingredients with precision, and without as much downward pressure as chef’s knives. On the flipside, chef’s knives have a wider, thicker blade and feel heavier in the hand, giving that extra feeling of control. Both have a lot to offer in the way of kitchen capabilities, so we recommend adding one of each to your kitchen arsenal.
The dimples in the detail
They don’t just look cute: the dimples you’ll notice on Santoku knives actually serve a purpose other than simply adding a bit of decorative detail. Known as kullenschliff, or a Granton edge, the dents in Santoku knives create air pockets between the blade and whatever you’re slicing, reducing friction and helping prevent food from sticking to the blade. The result is a clean slicing action and less waste, because nothing’s left behind. The dimples are so effective that the same thinking has been applied to other knives in our range, too.
Quality craftsmanship
We’ve brought together a great selection of Santoku knives to give you the widest choice, from our own purse-friendly Lakeland range to the unmistakeable full tang knives from Global - a favourite among pro chefs and found in top hotels and restaurants around the world. We also stock a variety of renowned British brands, like iconic designer Robert Welch and the expert craftspeople Forest & Forge, whose knives come with a generous 25-year guarantee. For cutting edge knives, look no further.
