A Santoku is a type of Japanese kitchen knife. Its name translates to “three virtues” or “three uses,” referring to its versatility in slicing, dicing, and mincing. The blade is usually 13 to 20 centimeters long and has a characteristic shape with a rounded tip and a relatively straight edge line. Unlike a European chef's knife, which has a more pronounced curved edge for a rocking motion, the Santoku is designed more for direct up-and-down slicing motions. Many knives of this type have indentations on the blade, known as a Granton edge, which are small hollows that help reduce food sticking to the knife.
