Santoku vs chef knife
Santoku and chef knife side by side: shape, use, and what the survey of 14 November 2026 says. In the United States, 423 damascus santoku are listed at a median of $200 and 1,038 damascus chef knives at $206. Median blade length: 7" against 8.3".
Shape and figures
| Santoku | Chef knife | |
|---|---|---|
| Edge | A nearly flat edge that curves only near the tip | A curved edge with a pronounced belly |
| Tip | A spine that drops down to a low, rounded tip | A pointed tip in line with the spine |
| Cutting motion | Push cut and straight chop | Rocking cut and push cut |
| Best for | Vegetables, boneless meat and fish on a small board | All-round work: meat, fish, large vegetables, herbs |
| Less suited to | Rocking cuts, long slices through a roast | Peeling and other work in the hand, bones |
| Median blade length | 7" | 8.3" |
| Middle half of lengths | 6.5" – 7.1" | 8" – 9.4" |
| Median price | $200 | $206 |
| Middle half of prices | $119 – $325 | $129 – $330 |
| Listings | 423 | 1,038 |
| Brands | 50 | 57 |
| Most stated core steel | VG10 | VG10 |
| Listings that name the core steel | 81 % | 73 % |
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 chef knife if you rock the blade on the board, cook large cuts of meat or want one knife for everything. Take the santoku if you chop straight down, mostly cook vegetables and boneless meat, or work on a small board: it is shorter, lighter and easier to control.
In the survey, the median santoku measures 7" and the median chef knife 8.3". In the United States, the two cost about the same: $200 for the median damascus santoku, $206 for the median chef knife.
Prices, United States
Median price by core steel
United States
| Core steel | Santoku | n | Chef knife | n |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VG10 | $190 | 181 | $207 | 393 |
| SG2 | $365 | 39 | $382 | 92 |
| AUS10 | $198 | 30 | $229 | 59 |
| 10Cr15CoMoV | $98 | 25 | $67 | 53 |
| VG-MAX | $200 | 13 | $175 | 19 |
| ZA-18 | $320 | 4 | $324 | 24 |
| Swedish steel | $190 | 4 | $244 | 24 |
| Aogami Super | $399 | 8 | $479 | 16 |
Best-scoring knives of each type
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 |
Chef knife
| # | Knife | Brand | Core steel | Price | vs median | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dune · Damascus Chef Knife 8"8.3" · 67 layersP 37 · S 30 · L 10 · F 20 | Damascus Knife | S35VN | $119 | -42 % | 97 |
| 2 | Dune · Damascus Chef Knife 9.5"9.4" · 67 layersP 37 · S 30 · L 10 · F 20 | Damascus Knife | S35VN | $119 | -42 % | 97 |
| 3 | 8" Japanese Damascus Chef Knife with Sheath8" · 67 layersP 40 · S 25 · L 10 · F 20 | Hoshanho | VG10 | $65.96 | -68 % | 95 |
Compare these knives side by side →Full ranking : santoku →Full ranking : chef knife →
Questions
What is the difference between a santoku and a chef knife?
The santoku has a nearly flat edge that curves only near the tip and a spine that drops down to a low, rounded tip. The chef knife has a curved edge with a pronounced belly and a pointed tip in line with the spine. In the survey, the median santoku measures 7" and the median chef knife 8.3".
Which is cheaper, a santoku or a chef knife?
In the United States, the two cost about the same: $200 for the median damascus santoku, $206 for the median chef knife.
Do I need both?
No. They do the same job with a different motion, so one of the two is enough as a main knife. A second knife is better spent on a small one for work in the hand.