Suncraft Senzo Retro Santoku Knife

Suncraft’s Senzo Retro Santoku, hand-forged in Seki City, Japan, not only looks gorgeous but is a joy to use. At 6.57 inches long, the subtly curved blade features a three-layer blade construction (coined “san mai”) that sandwiches harder G3 steel between softer, protective layers. The core is made of Ginsan steel—one of the best stainless steels available in Japan—which ensures the durable blade needs minimal honing and maintenance. And what makes it “retro?” Look for the rough, rustic finish above the blade’s polished edge, dubbed “nashiji” or pear skin; this pattern is a throwback to knife designs popular in Japan decades ago. Plus, the texture has a purpose: Pockets of air get trapped between the blade and food being cut, so nothing will cling when sliced.

The santoku features a broad, lengthy blade for big jobs like tackling large chunks of meat (especially cuts for stew or stir-fries) and heads of lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli. It’s great for precise prep work, like slicing stalks of leeks or quickly mincing onions and garlic, as it’s smaller than a standard European chef’s knife. Plus, the blade’s slight curve makes rock chopping easy. The blade is finished with an octagonal wa-style (wa means “Japanese”) handle made of wenge, a beautiful grained wood known for its hardness and water resistance. We like that the octagonal shape fills the creases of your palm and provides a grippy surface.