What's with the Santoku?

[muscat]

I got one for christmas last year, and I love it. Between that and a heavier chef's knife and a few cheapie small knives, that is all I need. It is great for veggies, especially tomatoes.

[expertsharpener]

The fundamental differenc is the edge profile.

A Santoku edge stays straigter for longer than western knives.

So any action that is horizontal is more efficient - espeacially when cutting soft or maleable textures.

The wider blade also makes the blade better for veg - paarticulaarly mincing - the hilt end tends to be wider and the edge flatter.

[Mezzaluna]

Do I have to know anything special about sharpening a santoku with a granton edge? I have a pull-through Henckel's sharpener and a Shinkansen two-wheel water well pull-through sharpener. (I also have a steel.)

[phatch]

Originally Posted by expertsharpener

The fundamental differenc is the edge profile.

A Santoku edge stays straigter for longer than western knives.

Not automatically so. Depends on the maker, the steel, tempering, and the grind chosen.

The granton "edge" makes no change to sharpening. The hollows aren't at the edge but farther up the blade.

[adamm]

iv heard that you have to sharpen a santoku at a different angle than a regular chef knive. Is this true? I have a wusthof if that makes a difference.

[phatch]

Again, depends on the specifics of the knife.

I don't think the Wusthof is chisel ground so it shouldn't matter. If you can match the existing angle, great. If you can't match it (you're using a crock-stick or draw through sharpener), you'll have to work it a while to reset the angle, but it will be just fine.

Phil

[Quinn01]

Basicly, they say that product wont stick to the blade, such as potato or tomato but this isnt true, atleast i havent found it to be true. I have a Woustof (spellings off) french knife, and a wustof santuko. They are both nice knives, and i would rather use the santuko while cooking at home, but in the kitchens at work, id rather have a french knife in my hands.

Just my .02.

[phatch]

You can find the granton edge on other knives too, not just Santokus. Many Santokus don't have the granton edge either. I've never been impressed with the hollows keeping things from sticking.

phil