Limited Edition Collector Blades
Best Santoku Knife: Top Picks and How to Choose
Short answer: The best santoku knife for most home cooks is a thin, balanced blade around 6.5–7 inches that weighs about 6–7 oz and feels nimble in the hand. Reviewers frequently pick MAC santokus. If you want harder steel or a Damascus finish, the Dalstrong Shogun Series 7" Santoku lists an AUS-10V core at HRC 62+.
Prices change. Prices were taken from each seller's page on November 3, 2026.
Browse all of ours in the santoku knives collection.
What a santoku does best
Serious Eats calls the santoku one of the most approachable Japanese styles. It's good at slicing and dicing produce and agile enough to debone chicken thighs. Compared with a chef's knife, its tip is less pointed and it's usually a bit lighter. In its tests, Serious Eats preferred thin, balanced blades of about 6–7 oz with slim, grippy handles and a slightly curved edge.
Santoku knives compared
| Knife | Price (Nov 3, 2026) | Blade | Steel | HRC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalstrong Gladiator 7" Santoku | $79 | 7" | X50CrMoV15 | 54–56 |
| Dalstrong Shadow Black 7" Santoku | $119 | 7" | 7CR17MOV-X, titanium nitride coated | 58+ |
| Dalstrong Shogun 7" Santoku | $159 | 7" | AUS-10V core, 66-layer Damascus | 62+ |
MAC Superior SK-65 ($100). Epicurious named it the best santoku, calling it extremely sharp and lightweight at 5.5 oz. Bon Appétit picked it as the best budget santoku. MAC notes it was the only "Favorite Knife" in a Cook's Illustrated santoku article.
MAC Professional MSK-65 ($165). Serious Eats' longtime favorite is a MAC hollow-edge santoku. Bon Appétit picks the MAC Professional as its best Western-handle santoku. MAC says it uses its sub-zero tempered steel, which "retains its edge better than our original steel".
Santoku Knife 7", Gladiator Series
Dalstrong Gladiator 7" ($79). It has German X50CrMoV15 steel at HRC 54–56. This is the tougher, more forgiving choice in the table.
Dalstrong Shadow Black 7" ($119). It has 7CR17MOV-X steel at HRC 58+ with a black titanium nitride coating.
Santoku Knife 7", Shogun Series
Dalstrong Shogun 7" ($159) and 5" ($119). Both have an AUS-10V core at HRC 62+ and 66-layer Damascus cladding. Choose the 5" for small hands or small tasks.
How to choose a santoku in 7 steps
- Pick a length. 6.5–7" is standard, and 5" is a compact option.
- Target 6–7 oz. Serious Eats found heavier santokus felt awkward.
- Choose a hardness. HRC 54–56 is more forgiving. HRC 58–62+ takes a finer edge but is more delicate.
- Consider dimples. A hollow or dimpled edge can help release sticky foods.
- Check the handle. Serious Eats preferred slim, grippy handles.
- Check the care needs. Some high-carbon stainless steels can water-spot if not dried.
- Confirm today's price on the seller page.
Care
Dry every santoku right away. For fine edges, use a ceramic rod; see Can You Hone a Japanese Knife? and Honing vs Sharpening. Spots or haze are explained in Why Is My Knife Cloudy After Washing?, Is Patina Rust? and AUS-10V vs Carbon Steel. For the full routine, read How to Keep Your Dalstrong Knives Sharp. Comparing with chef's knives? See best chef's knife.
Santoku checklist
- Length chosen (5", 6.5" or 7")
- Weight around 6–7 oz
- Hardness and angle suit my cutting
- Dimpled or plain edge decided
- Handle feels slim and secure
- I'll dry it right after washing
- Price confirmed on the seller page today
FAQs
What is the best santoku knife?
Reviewers frequently pick MAC santokus, such as the Superior SK-65 and Professional MSK-65. For harder AUS-10V steel and a Damascus finish, the Dalstrong Shogun 7" Santoku lists HRC 62+.
Is a santoku better than a chef's knife?
Neither is better overall. A santoku is usually shorter and lighter with a less pointed tip, which suits slicing and dicing. A chef's knife is longer, which helps with rocking cuts and big foods.
What size santoku should I buy?
Most santokus are 6.5 to 7 inches, which suits most cooks. A 5-inch santoku is a compact option for small hands or lighter tasks.
What are the dimples on a santoku for?
Dimples, or a hollow edge, are shallow indents along the blade. MAC says they help the knife glide through almost any food with ease.
How much should a good santoku weigh?
Serious Eats found santokus of about 6 to 7 ounces felt best, and heavier ones felt awkward. Epicurious lists the MAC Superior at 5.5 ounces.
