Santoku Knives

The ultimate all-purpose blade for home cooks and professional chefs alike. Originating from Japan 'Santoku' means 'three virtues' reflecting its mastery of slicing, dicing and mincing in one versatile design. Each Katana Saya santoku knife pairs a 67-layer VG-10 Damascus blade with a handle in olive wood, pakkawood, resin or ebony, and arrives in a wooden gift box with a protective sheath.

18 products

Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 18cm
Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 18cm

Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 18cm

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£99.95

Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 12cm
Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 12cm

Katana Saya Olive Wood Santoku Knife 12cm

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£69.95

Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 18cm
Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 18cm

Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 18cm

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£89.95

Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 12cm
Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 12cm

Katana Saya Pakkawood Santoku Knife 12cm

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£59.95

Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 18cm
Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 18cm

Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 18cm

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£99.95

Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 18cm
Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 18cm

Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 18cm

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£99.95

Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 12cm
Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 12cm

Katana Elements Rainforest Santoku Knife 12cm

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£79.95

Katana Smoke Santoku Knife 18cm Ebony
Katana Smoke Santoku Knife 18cm Ebony

Katana Smoke Santoku Knife 18cm Ebony

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£119.95

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 18cm Olive Wood
Katana Flame Santoku Knife 18cm Olive Wood

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 18cm Olive Wood

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£175.00

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Olive Wood
Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Olive Wood

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Olive Wood

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£130.00

Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 12cm
Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 12cm

Katana Elements Ocean Santoku Knife 12cm

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£79.95

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Rosewood
Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Rosewood

Katana Flame Santoku Knife 12cm Rosewood

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£130.00

What is a santoku knife?

A santoku knife is an all-purpose kitchen knife with a shorter, flatter blade than a typical chef's knife, built for a push cut and chop rather than a rocking motion. The name is commonly translated as "three virtues", often taken to mean slicing, dicing and mincing.

Katana Saya santokus come in 12cm and 18cm lengths. Olive wood, Pakkawood, Elements and Pearl santoku knives feature fluted blades, with shallow hollows that help reduce food sticking as you slice. The spine curves down to a rounded tip, which keeps most of the edge flat against the board for even, controlled cuts.

The steel is VG-10 Damascus, forged from 67 layers for a distinctive layered pattern and ground to a 15 degree edge.

What is a santoku knife used for?

A santoku knife handles most everyday prep: vegetables, boneless meat and fish fillets. The flat edge suits a push cut and a chop, which makes it quick for even slices and a tidy dice.

  • Vegetables: Slice courgettes and peppers, dice carrots and fine-dice onions with a push cut. The wide blade also lifts chopped pieces from the board to the pan.
  • Herbs and garlic: Chop soft herbs and mince garlic with short, controlled strokes.
  • Boneless meat: Slice chicken breast, pork loin or steak into strips for stir-fries and traybakes.
  • Fish: Portion and slice boneless fillets such as salmon or sea bass with a smooth, drawn-through stroke.

For cooks who prepare mostly vegetables, a Nakiri knife offers a taller, rectangular blade built for the same push cut.

Choosing a Damascus santoku knife by handle and finish

All Katana Saya santokus share the same 67-layer VG-10 Damascus blade, so the choice comes down to handle and finish. Every knife comes with a protective sheath.

  • Olive Wood: Natural olive wood grain with an opal-effect ring detail.
  • Pakkawood: A polished pakkawood handle with the same opal-effect ring.
  • Elements: Resin and olive wood handles, in Ocean blue, Volcanic red or Rainforest green.
  • Pearl: An abalone pearl resin handle.
  • Smoke: A black Damascus blade with an octagonal ebony handle.
  • Flame: Rainbow Damascus, folded with copper and brass, with an octagonal olive wood handle.

Santoku knives as gifts

A Katana Saya santoku knife arrives ready to give, in a wooden gift box with a protective sheath. That suits housewarmings, weddings and first-home gifts, where the knife will be used daily as well as admired for its beautifully traditional Japanese-style design.

For a larger gift, consider a starter knife set or a knife block set, or browse the full range of knife gift sets.

Santoku Knife FAQs

The main difference between a santoku knife and a chef knife is the blade shape. A santoku has a shorter, flatter edge, typically 16 to 18cm, for push cuts and chopping, while a chef knife is usually 20cm or longer, with a curved belly for rocking through food. For a longer Japanese-style blade, look at a Gyuto.

A santoku knife is very versatile, however it can’t quite do everything. Uses cover most daily prep, including vegetables, boneless meat and fish fillets. Avoid bones, frozen food, and twisting or prying, which can potentially damage the edge. Cut on a wood or plastic board rather than glass, stone or ceramic, which can chip or dull the blade.

Choose the 12cm for smaller tasks and compact boards, where its short blade is easy to control. Choose the 18cm for general prep, as it offers more cutting surface for larger vegetables and meat. Some cooks keep both, using the 12cm for quick jobs and the 18cm for main prep.

No. Hand wash your knife straight after use with warm water and mild soap, then dry it thoroughly with a soft cloth. Soaking it, leaving it wet or using a dishwasher can dull the blade and cause spotting on the steel, affecting the knife’s appearance.

Run the blade along a sharpening steel before use to keep the edge aligned, then sharpen periodically with a whetstone or roller sharpener. To look after the wooden handles, wipe clean, dry straight away, apply food-safe mineral oil occasionally and avoid prolonged water exposure.

One knife set , every task covered.

Katana Saya knife sets bring together all the essential blades needed for everyday kitchen tasks in an expertly curated collection.

Knife Block Sets

Bring order and elegance to your kitchen with Katana Saya Knife Block Sets, carefully curated for those who want every essential blade within easy reach. 

Starter Knife Sets

Begin your premium knife collection with a Starter Knife Set. Perfect for new cooks and aspiring chefs, each set contains the three essential blades every cook needs.

Carving Knife Sets

Crafted for effortless slicing and elegant serving, these carving sets pair a razor-sharp carving knife with a matching two-prong carving fork.

Steak Knife Sets

Elevate your dining table with a Katana Saya Steak Knife Set with ultra-sharp serrated knives for effortless, clean cuts through every steak.

All Knife Sets

Discover the art of Japanese inspired craftsmanship with Japanese Style Knife Sets that offer cooks a range of blades to handle a variety of kitchen tasks.

Two Katana Saya santoku kitchen knives with olive wood and dark pakkawood handles displayed on a wooden board alongside matching wooden and black sheaths, coarse salt, peppercorns, and a small knife box.

Inspired by tradition. Crafted for today.

At Katana Saya, we believe beautiful cooking deserves beautifully crafted kitchen tools.

Damascus Steel

Precision-forged VG-10 Damascus steel blade for exceptional balance, sharpness, durability and performance.

15° Cutting Edge

Ground to an exceptionally sharp 15 degree edge for sharpness, precision and effortless cutting.

Premium Handles

Handles inspired by the textures and colours of nature for a knife that feels as beautiful in the hand as it looks on the worktop.

Luxury Packaging

Finely crafted knives deserve equally luxury packaging. Completing every knife is a protective sheath and a wooden gift box.

Get the most out of your knives

Damascus steel is prized for its strength and beauty, but a little care goes a long way in preserving its edge and finish. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your Katana Saya knife performing - and looking- its best for years to come.

Damascus Blade

Handwash immediately after use with warm water and mild soap. Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth before storing. Never soak, leave wet or put in the dishwasher as this can dull the blade and cause spotting.

Cutting Edge

Use a honing rod before use to maintain alignment and sharpen periodically with a whetstone of roller sharpener. Avoid cutting on glass, stone or ceramic surfaces, which can chip or dull the edge.

Premium Handle

Wipe clean with a damp cloth and dry immediately. If your handle is wood, apply food safe mineral oil occasionally and avoid prolonged water exposure.

Safe Storage

Ensure the blade is completely dry before putting away to prevent moisture build up. Store in a safe place our of reach of children using safe storage solutions e.g. knife block, knife case or knife sheath

Find the right knife for you