Suncraft Senzo Clad 6.5-inch (165mm) Santoku

A santoku is the Japanese all-purpose knife, and the 6.5-inch Senzo Clad santoku puts that shape on a three-layer blade with an AUS10 high-carbon stainless center. The flatter edge and rounded tip favor straight-down chopping and forward push cuts, so it moves quickly through a head of broccoli or a chicken breast.

The tall blade gives knuckle clearance and lifts chopped food to the pan. Its size suits a standard home cutting board, and the brown handle feels secure in a wet hand. Suncraft notes the wave pattern that appears near the edge, a feature of clad steel that gives the blade its Japanese character. For a home cook choosing a first Japanese knife, it is a forgiving place to start, since the blade is very sharp and responds well to honing, which makes it easy to keep sharp, and it makes a practical gift for a new apartment or a wedding.

Santoku or Bunka?

The Senzo Clad Bunka Knife adds an angled, pointed tip.