Santoku & Chef's Knives

The chef's knife and the santoku knife are two options that can handle almost all your meal prep. Thanks to their wide, high-profile blades and gently curved edge, chef's knives are efficient at slicing, chopping, dicing, and mincing—and offers plenty of room between the knife handle and the cutting board so you won't smash your knuckles when working with it. Meanwhile, santoku knives, which are essentially shorter, lighter versions of the chef's knife, excel at slicing, dicing, and mincing. And where a chef's knife typically has a texture-free blade, a santoku knife will often have dimples on the blade to help prevent food from sticking. 

For those who want a full complement of knives, look to santoku and chef's knife sets from brands like Shun, Wüsthof, and Zwilling. With small sets featuring just two or three knives, plus robust knife blocks with santoku knives, chef's knives, paring knives, and more, you can outfit your kitchen with cutlery designed for the way you cook.