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The Best Santoku Knives of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

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Product image of Wüsthof Grand Prix II Santoku, 7 inches

Wüsthof Grand Prix II Santoku, 7 inches

This 7-inch Wusthof santoku knife is part of the best knife set we’ve tested. It’s comfortable to grasp as well as easy to maneuver. Read More

Pros

  • Comfortable to use
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Sharp out of the box

Cons

  • Could be heavy for some cooks
  • Handle is relatively bulky
Product image of Mercer Genesis Granton Edge Santoku

Mercer Genesis Granton Edge Santoku

This budget-friendly santoku knife from Mercer Culinary is part of our “best value” pick among knife sets. Read More

Pros

  • Performs as well as an expensive knife
  • Great balance
  • Stays sharp fairly well

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a blade guard
Product image of Master Maison Santoku Knife Set with Sharpener

Master Maison Santoku Knife Set with Sharpener

This inexpensive Santoku knife is said by reviewers to have a great balance and it comes with a knife sheath and sharpener. Read More

Pros

  • Inexpensive
  • Nice balance
  • Includes accessories

Cons

  • None that we could find
Product image of Hast Edition Santoku Knife

Hast Edition Santoku Knife

This sleek santoku knife will look gorgeous in any kitchen—plus it’s comfortable to use. That said, the black and gold versions may scratch easily. Read More

Pros

  • Single-material construction
  • Attractive and ergonomic
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Black and gold versions may scratch easily
  • Relatively narrow blade width
Product image of Global G-48 7" Hollow Ground Santoku

Global G-48 7" Hollow Ground Santoku

Currently
Unavailable

The Global santoku knife is comfortable to use and extremely sharp out of the box, but it might not replace your standard chef’s knife. Read More

Pros

  • Comfortable to use
  • Lightweight
  • Extremely sharp out of the box

Cons

  • Not suited for a rocking motion

A high-quality santoku knife can be a bit of an investment, but it also makes precision cutting—chopping, dicing, mincing—a breeze. Good kitchen utensils should last forever, be relatively easy to clean, and will generally facilitate a joyous cooking experience.

Our kitchen-and-cooking staff has spent years testing out the very best knife sets and other related products. Below, you’ll find five of our top recommendations for santoku knives you can get shipped to your door right now from Amazon.

Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
Product image of Wüsthof Grand Prix II Santoku, 7 inches
Wüsthof Grand Prix II Santoku, 7 inches

This seven-inch santoku knife from Wusthof is part of Reviewed’s top-ranked knife set. The heavy, stain-resistant blade is forged in Germany and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. It’s sharp, comfortable to hold, and easy to maneuver. Some cooks may find the handle pretty bulky, but it’s a quality knife you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Pros

  • Comfortable to use

  • Easy to maneuver

  • Sharp out of the box

Cons

  • Could be heavy for some cooks

  • Handle is relatively bulky

Product image of Mercer Genesis Granton Edge Santoku
Mercer Genesis Granton Edge Santoku

Mercer Culinary’s santoku knife was part of our recent “Best Value” pick among knife sets. It’s a budget-friendly option that performs just as well as more expensive knives. It has great balance; it stays sharp for a good length of time. Unfortunately, it doesn’t include a blade guard, but it’s easy to see why these knives are so popular with culinary schools.

Pros

  • Performs as well as an expensive knife

  • Great balance

  • Stays sharp fairly well

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with a blade guard

Product image of Master Maison Santoku Knife Set with Sharpener
Master Maison Santoku Knife Set with Sharpener

Said to be super sharp right out of the box, this Santoku knife also comes with a sharpening block and sheath so that you can keep it in great shape with ease. Inexpensive, this knife would be a great pick if you’re just getting into cooking or are looking for a low cost Santoku knife that’s well-balanced and easy to sharpen.

Customer reviews mention that they love using this knife to cut vegetables and that they were impressed with the craftsmanship of this knife.

Pros

  • Inexpensive

  • Nice balance

  • Includes accessories

Cons

  • None that we could find

Product image of Hast Edition Santoku Knife
Hast Edition Santoku Knife

This gorgeous santoku knife from Hast will make a fine addition to any kitchen. It’s lightweight, ergonomic, comfortable to use. And it’s made of a single solid material. Just note that the blade is a little bit narrow, and the black and gold variants are also coated in titanium, which can accumulate scratches. It’s usually available in matte silver, glossy, gold, and black.

Pros

  • Single-material construction

  • Attractive and ergonomic

  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Black and gold versions may scratch easily

  • Relatively narrow blade width

Product image of Global G-48 7" Hollow Ground Santoku
Global G-48 7" Hollow Ground Santoku

Global’s seven-inch santoku knife is a Reviewed favorite, offering a super lightweight feel and a stunning look. It’s a little on the expensive side, so it makes a great wedding-registry item or gift, but it’s both comfortable to use and extremely sharp right out of the box. It’s unfortunately not suited for a rocking motion, however, so it might not replace your traditional chef’s knife.

Pros

  • Comfortable to use

  • Lightweight

  • Extremely sharp out of the box

Cons

  • Not suited for a rocking motion

Product image of Shun Classic Hollow Ground Santoku 7"
Shun Classic Hollow Ground Santoku 7"

Shun’s classic seven-inch santoku knife has a thin, ultra-sharp blade; it looks fantastic; it’s got a really comfortable handle. It’s also a pricey option, given that it’s handmade in Japan, and may require the occasional sharpening with regular use. But we think you’ll be thrilled with your investment.

Pros

  • Thin, ultra-sharp blade

  • Comfortable handle

  • Attractive

Cons

  • Might require regular sharpening

Meet the testers

Alex Kane

Alex Kane

Sr. Editor, Search & Updates

@alexjkane

Alex Kane is a senior editor at USA Today’s Reviewed and the author of the Boss Fight Books volume on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He has written for Fangoria, PC Gamer, Polygon, Rolling Stone, StarWars.com, and Variety. He lives in west-central Illinois.

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Madison Trapkin

Madison Trapkin

Contributor

Madison covered all things cooking as the kitchen editor for Reviewed in 2021. Formerly the editor-in-chief of Culture Magazine, Madison is the founder of GRLSQUASH, a women's food, art, and culture journal. Her work has also appeared in The Boston Globe, Cherrybombe, Gather Journal, and more. She is passionate about pizza, aesthetic countertop appliances, and regularly watering her houseplants.

She holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and a Master's of Liberal Arts in Gastronomy from Boston University.

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Ceara Perez-Murphy

Ceara Perez-Murphy

Staff Writer, Search

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Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.

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