Limited Edition Collector Blades
Santoku vs Nakiri: Which Japanese Vegetable Knife Is Right for You?
Santoku or nakiri: which should you get? Choose a santoku if you want one all-purpose knife for vegetables, boneless meat and fish. Choose a nakiri if you cut mostly vegetables and want perfectly flat, clean chops. Our all-purpose pick is the Dalstrong Shogun 7" Santoku ($159), Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. Its pointed sheepsfoot tip handles meat and fine work that a squared nakiri can't. For a vegetable specialist, the Dalstrong Shogun 6" Nakiri ($159) has the same steel in a flat, rectangular blade.
Side by side
| Feature | Santoku | Nakiri |
|---|---|---|
| Tip | Rounded, downward-sloping point | Squared off, no point |
| Edge profile | Mostly flat with slight curve | Flat from heel to tip |
| Cutting motion | Push cuts and chops | Straight up-and-down chops |
| Best at | All-around: vegetables, meat, fish | Vegetables only |
| Fine tip work | Yes | No |
| Dalstrong option | Shogun 7" Santoku or Gladiator 7" Santoku ($79) | Shogun 6" Nakiri |
What the santoku does well
The santoku is the Japanese answer to the all-purpose chef's knife. It's shorter and lighter than most 8" chef knives, with a flatter edge that suits push cuts and chops. The pointed tip lets it trim meat, score fish and do small precise work. If you can only have one Japanese-style knife, this is usually it. Learn more in what is a santoku knife used for?.
What the nakiri does well
A nakiri's dead-flat edge meets the board along its full length, so it cuts through carrots, cabbage and herbs in one chop with no connected pieces. The tall, rectangular blade also scoops up chopped vegetables and guides your knuckles. The tradeoff: no point, so it's not for meat or tip work. See our nakiri guide.
Which should you choose?
- Choose a santoku if you want one versatile knife or already rock-chop with a chef knife and want something lighter.
- Choose a nakiri if you cook lots of vegetables and already own a chef knife or santoku for meat.
- Get both if you're plant-forward and enjoy prep: the santoku for everything else, the nakiri for big vegetable jobs.
Size and weight
Santokus are commonly around 5" to 7" long, and nakiris around 6" to 7". Both are typically lighter than an 8" chef's knife, which is why many cooks with smaller hands or smaller cutting boards prefer them. The tall nakiri blade gives extra knuckle clearance, while the santoku's slimmer tip makes it more nimble.
Technique tips
With a santoku, use a forward push cut: start with the tip on the board and slide the knife forward and down. With a nakiri, lift the whole blade and chop straight down, or use a slight forward push for clean slices. Neither is designed for heavy rock-chopping.
Care for both
Both have thin, hard edges. Avoid twisting the blade in dense squash, don't use them on bones or frozen food, hand-wash and dry right away, and hone with a ceramic rod ($79) rather than a steel one.
Our top picks
Santoku Knife 7", Shogun Series, ELITE ($159). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. Versatile all-rounder.
Nakiri Knife 6", Shogun Series, ELITE ($159). Spec sheet: Japanese AUS-10V core, 62+ HRC, 8–12° edge, 66-layer Damascus or hammered finish. Flat-edged vegetable specialist.
Santoku Knife 7", Gladiator Series, Elite, NSF Certified ($79). Spec sheet: German X50CrMoV15 steel, 54–56 HRC, 16–18° edge, NSF certified. A tough, budget-friendly santoku.
FAQ
Is a santoku or nakiri better?
For one all-purpose knife, the santoku. The Dalstrong Shogun 7" Santoku ($159) handles vegetables, meat and fish thanks to its pointed tip.
Can a nakiri cut meat?
It can slice boneless meat, but it lacks a tip, so it's not ideal. Use it for vegetables.
Is a santoku a vegetable knife?
It's an all-purpose knife that is especially good with vegetables.
Which is easier for beginners?
The santoku, because it's more versatile.
Do I need both?
Only if you do a lot of vegetable prep. Otherwise one santoku covers most jobs.
