The hollow edge santoku, similar to the Japanese cook's knife, is just right for sushi and sashimi - or anything else that needs to be sliced paper thin. The hollow indents in the blade allow food to slide right off without sticking. Also works well when dicing onions or other vegetables. Prized possessions of professional chefs, Wusthof knives are an invaluable asset of any kitchen. Every element of this renowned cutlery contributes to its precision and ease of use. In Solingen, Germany, each piece is hand-forged in 38 manufacturing steps by skilled craftsmen. The high-carbon stainless steel blades are hardened to maintain a sharp edge and full tangs provide perfect balance with riveted, high-impact triple-riveted composition handles. Wusthof's newest state of the art technology incorporates a new computer controlled method for putting the edge on Classic knives. This technology allows for an exacting edge from the tip of the knife down to the heel of the knife. With this newer precision, the knives are made sharper to 14 degrees per side for a total of 28 degrees. The knives are now sharper and this refinement increases the sharpness retention because exacting angles and edges last longer than edges sharpened by hand. The result is a knife that is 30% sharper and the ICP (Initial Cutting Performance) lasts twice as long..

5-inch hollow-edge santoku for smaller hands or detailed chopping tasks

Hand-forged of high-carbon steel with stain-resistant alloy

Precise tapering from grinding and polishing procedure

Weighted bolster; full, triple-riveted tangs

Synthetic traditional-style handles

Average Customer Review: ( 127 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.

My conclusion - while the Grand Prix handle DOES fit perfectly and firmly in the hand, the Classic handle encourages placing the thumb, extended, on top of the flat handle, producing a slight forward "roll" conducive to chopping and dicing. Thus, after much deliberation, I purchased the Classic santoku knife.

When I tried this knife at home, I was not disappointed; the santoku knife chops and dices quickly and cleanly, and cleaves serrano and Fresno peppers neatly in two. The knife is light and well-balanced, and while not quite as all-around versatile, is much better suited to chopping operations than the chef's knife. The hollow edge seems to help it to cut cleanly, and reduces but does not eliminate food sticking to the knife when chopped.

It's too late - I can no longer pick a favorite knife. Right now it's a tie between my Wusthof Classic santoku knife and my Henckels four-star 6" chef's. This knife is definitely a keeper.

204 of 224 found the following review helpful:

Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku KnifeApr 15, 2003
By H. Row "in1ear"
One trend that has eventually made it's way to home chef's is that it's OK TO MIX KNIVES! German , French, Japanese STYLE all have they're champions and advantages for various cutting and chopping jobs. Despite what you see on TV shows, you'll actually find very few professionals who have all German or all Oriental style knives. And don't tell the kitchen snobs, but it's OK to mix BRANDS too! Buy what feels good, what costs right and how often you'll use it.
The Wusthof Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife combines several ideas that combined, make slicing vegetables into precise pieces. This looks nice, but also lets the food all cook at a quick and similar amount of time. Be aware that a Santoku knife is NOT MADE TO CHOP THROUGH BONES or frozen foods! Despite a small similarity, that is best left to a Cleaver.
The high "wall" of the knife blade makes for quick slicing and chopping. The identations or "kullens" reduce friction and suction, preventing food from sticking to the side of the blade.
The Wüsthof Classic 7-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife is just slightly bowed to facilitate the rocking motion needed for what this knife is made to do.
Also realize that with the intermingling of knife designs one Santoku is not EXACTLY like another. Compare any knife design before purchase! And don't feel bad if you end up with a few from the Big Boys, and even a few left over from your grandmother!
I enjoy knives. I know alot about em. BUT especially enjoy USING knives. I do that mostly in the kitchen like everyone else.
This is a purchase I'm happy with!
John Row

33 of 33 found the following review helpful:

Great knife that will be your favorite!Jun 03, 2002
By FrankW "Frank"
I have been using the Wusthof Santoku Knife for several months. It has a good balance and feel. You are able to slice and dice like a Pro. The blade is thin but still ridgid enough to cut and slice straight, allowing very thin slices. It cuts meat very well and is very, very sharp. The edge is ground to a very narrow angle. Looks to be about 7 to 10 degrees. The shallow edge angle is what allows it to be so sharp. Due to the very thin edge of the blade, it should not be used for chooping or heavy duty cutting. The steel used is excellent and holds its edge forever. I touch it up ocassionaly with a ceramic sharpener. It only takes a couple of swipes with the cerramic. I think it is as sharp now as the day I received it. The dropped point is a great design. I use the back of the point to scrape garbage off of the cutting board.

30 of 30 found the following review helpful:

There need only be one...Aug 01, 2005
By Justin Ratcliff "egovirus"
I only own two real knives. One is my Tramontina paring knife, and the other is my Wusthof (Voo-stoff) Santoku. I've had both for almost four years now, and when I was browsing this section I realized, 'hey, I don't need anything from here, I've got it covered.' I once heard the most indispensable kitchen tools were a good chef's knife, a squeeze bottle, and a gas stove. Well, with the Santoku, you're already 1/3 of the way there, because you'll likely never need to buy another knife. At least I can't foresee having to buy another.

The thing is, when this knife's nice and sharpened up it seriously flies through anything you throw at it, though I don't suggest knife fighting with it. If you've ever found cutting poultry a pain in the ass, well this knife goes through uncooked chicken like you were cutting jell-o; it's a pretty amazing feeling. You simply draw the knife toward you, and through whatever you're cutting, and repeat.

In the hand, the santoku feels maybe a little dainty, compared to say a nine-inch chef's knife, which is like wielding a claymore. Perhaps that's what gives the santoku its almost surgical feel. It's light, it's awesomely balanced, and the shape of the blade allows you to accomplish multiple tasks, from slicing chicken breasts, to chopping rosemary, to dicing garlic.

This is a piece of Wusthof steel mind you, which means you might be passing it on to the kids, granted you follow some simple rules. First, don't ever put a knife like this in the dishwasher; it's bad for it. Two, don't use the blade to scrape together whatever you're chopping. I once saw Rachael Ray doing this on her 30-minute meals show, and it was the equivalent of fingernails on chalkboard to me. Instead, turn the knife over, and use the spine, this maintains your edge longer. Lastly, you need to buy a sharpener, because nothing is more useless, frustrating, or dangerous in cooking than using a dull knife. I use a simple Chef's Choice Manual Diamond Hone, which cost me a cool Jackson. It's a 2 step apparatus that's ugly as sin, but yields an edge that makes tomatoes as easy to cut as anything else. You should know however that while the hollowing of the blade, those oval shaped grind marks, was a brilliant idea; it still needs some tinkering because everything gets stuck to my blade. Oh well, this is an awesome piece of steel that's helped me cook many mediocre meals for outstanding people, and there's no reason not to expect the same.

40 of 43 found the following review helpful:

How did I live so long without this knife?Apr 19, 2002

I have tons of Wusthof knives, they're really wonderful and I've had them for years and years. I bought this knife on a whim, since I've been more of a fan of Cook's knives in the past.

I don't know how I lived without this fabulously sharp knife. I use it for almost all my slicing and chopping now. My housekeeper and I fight over this knife.

I bought the hollow edge for thin slicing and it works perfectly, especially on tomatoes and onions, which I have to chop in a tiny yet precise dice for salsas.

I sharpen this knife with my chef's choice sharpener and have seen no damage to the egde or hollows.

See all 127 customer reviews on Amazon.com