Product Review: Wusthof Santoku Chef Knife

There is an art and science in selecting a chef’s knife, as I soon found out on my recent trip to find the perfect culinary tool. After researching a variety of brands, I followed a professional chef’s recommendation of the Wusthof Santoku knife. This Wusthof brand and product line is manufactured in Soligen, Germany and each handcrafted knife offers a lifetime warranty against breakage and quality. Just holding this knife will give you the inspiration to begin your cooking adventures; the sleek design, customized fit and cut, and professional edging give this powerful culinary tool some well-deserved attention!

The stainless steel blades of the Wusthof Santoku knife are made from a high-carbon material, and balance is created with triple-riveted composition handles. What does this mean for your cooking technique? Not only will you be able to control and direct your cutting and chopping efficiently, but you can develop strong chef-level skills with ease. The knife is lightweight; it weighs in at .4 lbs, and is only 7 inches in size. This makes it a strong contender for both beginner and medium-level chef’s in training, but works wonders for the expert as well.

In general, a chef’s knife does have a heavier blade than other knives. It is used primarily to chop dense and heavy foods, as well as providing a sharp edge for mincing and dicing. The Japanese Santoku knife was my chef-recommended selection, and proved to be a perfect balance for a variety of foods and textures. A conventional chef knife simply has a sharp blade, while a Santoku knife offers a blunt tip and hollowed edge. It is very different in look and style, but it is versatile enough to completely replace a conventional chef knife in any kitchen.

The ergonomic deisgn of the Wusthof Santoku knife offers a comfortable grip, a sleek handle, and easy-to-clean blade and handle. The blade deos not have to be sharpened frequently, but it can be easily done with an electric knife sharpener or other sharpener with a diamond-abrasive base. I soon learned that the Wusthof Snatoku knife’s blade and use can be extended by simply using a wooden or acrylic cutting board, as opposed to a harder, abrasive material. Still, the Wusthof Santoku lifetime warranty ensures that this knife will outlast any and all interferences!

The stainless steel, forged construction make the Wusthof Santoku knife easy to celan and maintain; a simple scrub and rinse do not require that this knife be cleaned in a dishwasher or with any additional cleaning equipment. The Santoku knife naturally works well for sushi and sashimi, as it can cut small pieces of meat and vegetables with ease and efficiency.

The Wusthof Santoku knife is available at a retail price of $120, with some bargain and online outlets offering it as low as $79.99; look for your best Wusthof knife for your dream kitchen, and you won’t be disappointed. The high quality, lifetime warranty, and professional grade material will ensure that your investment is worthwhile! Wusthof offers a complete kitchen collection including carving sets, smaller knives, serving ware, and other culinary tools.