# How to choose a Japanese kitchen knife

Narrow it down by who uses it, what you cut, budget and care.

In Japan, the everyday all-purpose knife is the santoku. The gyuto is the Western chef's knife, also used for almost everything.

Most home cooks need two of them (Hamono Direct)

## Links

- [Santoku vs gyuto](https://findmyknife.net/en/compare/santoku-vs-gyuto/)
- [Santoku](https://findmyknife.net/en/knives/santoku/)
- [Gyuto](https://findmyknife.net/en/knives/gyuto/)

## Sources

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santoku
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/包丁
- https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/牛刀
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef%27s_knife
- https://hamonodirect.com/knife-types/
- https://japaneseknifelab.com/ja/best/best-santoku-knife/

Updated: 2026-11-15

https://findmyknife.net/en/guides/how-to-choose/