Santoku vs. Chef's Knife: 5 Key Differences and When to Use Each
In this video, I explain the five key differences between a santoku and a chef’s knife. You’ll learn how they compare in design, sharpness, size, weight, cutting technique, and more. I also explain when to use each type of knife and if you really need both in your kitchen.
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0:00 Intro
0:40 Blade Profile
1:40 Sharpness
1:53 Blade Texture
2:20 Blade Length
2:37 Weight
2:59 When to Use Each Knife
3:56 Do You Need Both?
*****Products Featured in This Video*****
Made In Chef’s Knife: madeincookware.pxf.io/LP11m3 (MadeInCookware.com)
MAC MTH-80 Chef’s Knife: https://amzn.to/3P8WsbO (Amazon)
Shun Classic Chef’s Knife: https://amzn.to/3usnovh (Amazon)
Zwilling Pro Chef’s Knife: https://amzn.to/3OUhmvG (Amazon)
Wusthof Classic Chef’s Knife: https://amzn.to/3bPBz74 (Amazon)
Wusthof Classic Santoku: https://amzn.to/3NMZSQc (Amazon)
Made In Santoku: https://madeincookware.pxf.io/mg31Ae (MadeInCookware.com)
Miyabi Birchwood Santoku: https://amzn.to/3nIVvuV (Amazon)
Misen Santoku: https://shrsl.com/3loec (Misen.com)
*****Related Videos/Articles*****
Santoku vs. Chef’s Knife In-Depth Comparison https://prudentreviews.com/santoku-knife-vs-chefs-knife/
The Definitive Guide to the Best Kitchen Knife Brands https://prudentreviews.com/best-kitchen-knife-brands/
MAC Knives Review https://youtu.be/Enks9zQ-UMg
MAC vs. Wusthof https://youtu.be/H-XzdVv1CtA
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Wow very informative. Thanks alot
great video and explanation
PS: the moment the video started, I said to myself, "this guy’s Italian."
then the graphic displaying your name appeared and I was right and couldn’t help but throw my fist up in victorious celebration.
PPS: I’m high rn
Great video
Check out the full comparison for more details: https://prudentreviews.com/santoku-knife-vs-chefs-knife/
I like your discussions on products and of course people will disagree but atleast they’re thinking! Lol. I have many knives that i sharpen myself, retired cabinet maker so i modify to suite my habds and needs but tge cheapest knife I bought is my favorite over Henkel and Wustoff. I would seriously advise someone else using alot of veggies look toward a Nakiri, and maybe a review? Thankyou!
I have both and definitely prefer the santoku for mirepoix, herbs etc. My Santoku is 170mm and my chef knife is 240mm so there’s a nice separation depending on the task.
Chef’s Knives are also prefered by masked serial killers!
Chef knife and boning knife for me.
I have both chef’s knives and a santoku. I mainly use the former but the latter with its sharper blade is good when fine slicing is needed.
Think in summary…
Chef’s knife: Quickness and efficiency.
Sontoku knife: Precision and finesse.
The part with the paprika was why i got on the quest for a new knife. You gave exactly the right kind & amount of information
Thanks 🙏🏼 , chef knife it will be!
I use Santoku knives about 90% of my chopping time – great allrounder 👍
Japanese made Santokus are thinner that this European version. The Granton edge was initially found on long slicer knives. Made in knives have a 12.5 degree angel on both sides.
Yes, you need both a chef’s knife and a Santoku. There is overlap, but when you have both you’ll quickly find out what your preference actually is.
On the comparison of the weight of each knife, it appeared that you were comparing two different brands of knives. I think the comparison would have been more on point if the knives were of the same brand. Overall, this was a great presentation on the pros and cons of each knife.
i was set on getting a santoku but this was a great insight that made me reconsider. Thanks for this
Santoku is much better and you can use a draw action. Point control is better with Santoku
Can never have too many knives. I have three of each, and love them all. If I could only choose one type, I would struggle to pick, but I think a Santoku might shade it, as I have never been fully comfortable with a rocking style of chopping.
Excellent comparisons of both!!! You were very short, concise and to the point, no rambelling, I like that! I learnt everything I needed to in this short video. Love it, thank you!!
Santoku appears to have too many caveats to be a versatile kitchen knife. Good video.
I have a "2-stage" sharpener with separate sharpeners for chef and santoku knives.
Aside from the angle, is there anything wrong with sharpening a chef’s knife on the santoku side? And vice versa?
A chinese cleaver aka Chinese chef’s knife will out prep any of these
Excellent explanation. Exactly what O was looking for. Thank you.
Since I have a Santuko, I hardly use my chef knife
Greatest review! Thank you!
I have a 6 8 and 10 inch cook knife
As well as a nakiri chai dao and bunka.
I sold my santoku, because I prefer the bunka
Your cook knife has a lot of belly, the German style
The cook knife you showed with Granton edge is actually a gyutou, a Japanese version of a French cook knife
French cook knives are easier to use as a push cut, like the santoku chopping style
I think a lot of people prefer santoku, because they are shorter.
Also the sheep foot point is less threatening
Not enough people use petite cook knives.
They are quite versatile, having two, or more cook knives is not overkill.
I also have a 3" santoku
But I call it a flat edge paring knife.
It’s really cool little knife, although I only use it occasionally to peel garlic with
Please use better technique with your left hand! Holding the food like that is a good way to cut the tips of your fingers! Watching you demonstrate the cutting of the peppers . . . I’m cringing like something bad is about to happen. So glad it didn’t. Great review. I just might go out and get a Santoku!
Thank Andrew for this HELPPFUL video about Santoku and Chef’s Knife. I prefer Santoku for ease of use. However, I won’t buy one due to the its Granton edge. One question please, I suspect after sharpening the knife a few times, I will reach the INDENTATIONS on the blade and I won’t be able to sharpen the knife any more. Is that right?
Nice comparison man ❤
Ive also tried using a slice method with the chefs knife. Even if it is a very cheap chef knife, the slicing and rocking motion really uses the entire length of the blade and can cut still very very well. especially for large items. I wonder the cut direction is interesting too.. IE if it is a large item, I feel that the cut would be a draw cut, vs. if it is a bulky thicker item maybe that be a push slice cut? I think the draw cut is probably a bit safer, but the push cut might be good for larger/ thicker meats? I think the technique is different I want to know your thoughts. Also the cut technique might be also ok with the santoku but the chef since it has a curve might have a more natural feel. The santoku with more a flat blade profile I wonder can still do push cuts pretty well. I’venever really tried to do a draw cut with a santoku.
Would be really amazing if you can do a knife handling technique (if not already) in the videos! Amazing content! I love it!
Great comparison. You’ve made it so much easier to decide whether to stick with the same or to try the other. Thanks!
Woah. It might be the best review video I’ve ever seen. And I have seen thousands of them.
I use sanktoku for veggies and chef knife for meat. Works for me
Great information, well planned and organized, no time wasting, no fluff. If only all channels were this precise, efficient, and respectful of their viewers’ time. Subscribed.
Good review. Precision cuts have nothing to do with the knife though.
that was really handy thanyou
Thank you so so much for presenting this video. It was very informative in influencing my decision towards which knife will end up in my kitchen.
However, at point 2:30- I see the image of 4 knives on the screen, and I am most interested in the one at the bottom with the "hammered" finish.
I can’t seem to find it in the description. Is there any way you could direct me as to where to find it?
Thank you so much. Your assistance would be much appreciated. Thank You!!
Great video. I prefer a Bunka style knife instead of a Gyuto (chefs knife) or Santoku because I am not much of a rocker, and a like the sharp point (k-tip) of the Bunka. Like your channel!
I’m planning on getting a new knife but can’t really decide which one I should get. I thought a santoku might be ideal for me but what you said at the end of the video helps me decide… a chef knife it is. Thank you!
Having used both extensively I have come to much prefer the Chef knife. It really comes down to cutting style and personal preference.
Good
I do the majority of my veggie prep with an Asian-style push-chop motion (a slight foward and downward slice–not a straight downward crush cut), which is very efficient. You would think a santoku knife would be ideal for that but I found that I didn’t like the low angle of the handle due to the shallow depth of the belly of the knife. I switched to an 8-inch chef’s knife and I’m a happy camper. I can still do my usual push-chop cuts using the belly of the knife, but I also have that nice pointed tip for precise work. I have never been a fan of the exagerated rocking-slicing motion. It seems like a lot of wasted motion and the entire length of the blade is constantly being moved (and dulled) against the cutting board. I gave my santoku knife away.
Thanks for the educational video. I have both in my kitchen. How I know how to use both more effectively.
I personally have both, if your chopping small items, like in your example celery, santoku would not be my preferred choice, you have a large portion of the edge making contact with the cutting board and one tenth of the knife doing the cutting. You’ll end with rolled cutting edge on the santoku.