Nakiri vs santoku
Nakiri and santoku side by side: shape, use, and what the survey of 14 November 2026 says. In the United States, 290 damascus nakiri are listed at a median of $190 and 423 damascus santoku at $200. Median blade length: 6.5" against 7".
Shape and figures
| Nakiri | Santoku | |
|---|---|---|
| Edge | A straight edge on a tall rectangular blade | A nearly flat edge that curves only near the tip |
| Tip | A squared end with no tip | A spine that drops down to a low, rounded tip |
| Cutting motion | Straight up-and-down chop, push cut | Push cut and straight chop |
| Best for | Vegetables and herbs, thin even slices, full contact with the board | Vegetables, boneless meat and fish on a small board |
| Less suited to | Anything that needs a tip, meat on the bone | Rocking cuts, long slices through a roast |
| Median blade length | 6.5" | 7" |
| Middle half of lengths | 6.3" – 6.7" | 6.5" – 7.1" |
| Median price | $190 | $200 |
| Middle half of prices | $120 – $320 | $119 – $325 |
| Listings | 290 | 423 |
| Brands | 48 | 50 |
| Most stated core steel | VG10 | VG10 |
| Listings that name the core steel | 82 % | 81 % |
Shape and use describe the type as it is usually made. Lengths and prices are those of the damascus listings in the survey, United States.
Which one to choose
Take the santoku if it is your only large knife: its tip handles meat and fish as well as vegetables. Take the nakiri as a second knife if you cut a lot of vegetables: the straight edge meets the board along its whole length, so slices come off clean, with no strands left attached.
In the survey, the median nakiri measures 6.5" and the median santoku 7". In the United States, the median damascus santoku is listed at $200 and the median nakiri at $190: the nakiri is 5 % cheaper.
Prices, United States
Best-scoring knives of each type
Nakiri
| # | Knife | Brand | Core steel | Price | vs median | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 【Elite A Series】Sunnecko VG10 Damascus 7" Nakiri Knife Japanese Vegetable Knif7" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Sunnecko | VG10 | $69.99 | -63 % | 95 |
| 2 | 【Elite G Series】7" Japanese Damascus Nakiri Knife VG10 Vegetable Knife7" · 72 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Sunnecko | VG10 | $74.99 | -61 % | 95 |
| 3 | Olea · Damascus Nakiri Knife 7"7.1" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Damascus Knife | 10Cr15CoMoV | $89 | -53 % | 95 |
Santoku
| # | Knife | Brand | Core steel | Price | vs median | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dune · Damascus Santoku Knife 7"7.1" · 67 layersP 36 · S 30 · L 10 · F 20 | Damascus Knife | S35VN | $119 | -40 % | 96 |
| 2 | 【Classic Series】VG10 7" Granton Blade Santoku Knife VG10 Damascus Steel7" · 33 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Sunnecko | VG10 | $59.99 | -70 % | 95 |
| 3 | 【Elite A Series】Sunnecko VG10 Damascus 7 Inch Japanese Knife Santoku Hollow Ed7" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Sunnecko | VG10 | $59.99 | -70 % | 95 |
Compare these knives side by side →Full ranking : nakiri →Full ranking : santoku →
Questions
What is the difference between a nakiri and a santoku?
The nakiri has a straight edge on a tall rectangular blade and a squared end with no tip. The santoku has a nearly flat edge that curves only near the tip and a spine that drops down to a low, rounded tip. In the survey, the median nakiri measures 6.5" and the median santoku 7".
Which is cheaper, a nakiri or a santoku?
In the United States, the median damascus santoku is listed at $200 and the median nakiri at $190: the nakiri is 5 % cheaper.
Do I need both?
Only if you cook vegetables most days. The santoku does everything the nakiri does, a little less neatly; the nakiri cannot replace a knife with a tip.