KANZEN Santoku Knife
Tax included.
The long-awaited Santoku size
The Santoku Perfect Knife features a shorter blade than our standard-size Perfect Knife, making it lighter, more compact, and easy to handle for everyday use.
The materials, manufacturing process, and cutting performance are exactly the same as those of the standard Perfect Knife.
Ideal for cutting smaller ingredients, this is a knife you’ll naturally reach for in your daily cooking.
* This product is the Santoku size. You can find the standard-size Perfect Knife here.
Read reviews of the Perfect Knife series, including the Santoku, here.
Overall length: 303mm
Blade length: 165mm
Width: 53mm
Made in: Seki, Gifu, Japan
Free shipping
7-day free trial
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Cut the effort to 1/10, and daily cooking transforms completely.
1. Cleaves an avocado in two
Scientifically proven 3x sharpness
Comparative testing of the KANZEN Knife against other makers’ products found a roughly 3x difference in sharpness — outperforming competitors even in the same price range.
Moreover, after about six months of cooking with each knife, the KANZEN Knife kept a sharpness equal to competitors’ brand-new blades.
Its lasting keen edge is proven.
2. Proven by a research institute
A knife that makes food taste better
Using the Leo taste sensor developed by Keio University and OISSY Inc., we scientifically analyzed how a knife changes taste. The results were astonishing.
A change in taste that over 95% of people notice
We cut tomatoes with two knives — the KANZEN Knife and a mid-range stainless knife — and analyzed the change in taste. The KANZEN Knife produced a difference so pronounced that 95% of people noticed the change in umami, and over 75% in sweetness and richness.
Why does food taste better?
The reason is the shape of the edge. The KANZEN Knife is polished sharp and smooth down to approximately 0.001mm.
Most knives are machine-polished; the KANZEN Knife is polished one by one by the blade artisans of Seki, Gifu — a craft 800 years in the making.
The result: clean cuts that leave the food’s fibers unharmed, and a real change in how it tastes.
3. For safe, confident use at home
Care is just wash and wipe
Sharp, expensive carbon-steel knives demand special care — but the KANZEN Knife is made of premium, highly rust-resistant stainless steel. Just wash and wipe it dry, like any household knife, to prevent rust and protect the edge.
How did it achieve both high sharpness and easy care?
The KANZEN Knife achieves its performance through honyaki-style construction: the super stainless steel VG-10 across 100% of the blade.
In an ordinary knife, VG-10 makes up only around 10–20% of the blade as core material, sandwiched between softer stainless layers.
By developing a manufacturing process dedicated to super stainless, the KANZEN Knife uses this finest stainless steel for 100% of the blade — and the KANZEN Knife was born.
Made in
Seki, Gifu, Japan
The KANZEN Knife was created by the blade artisans of Seki, Gifu — a town with 800 years of cutlery heritage.
Born of rare skill, it is a pinnacle of Japanese knife-making the country can be proud of.
MADE IN JAPAN
Tashinam’s craftsmanship, hand in hand with Japan’s artisans
Our mission is to enrich lives around the world through Japan’s time-honored craftsmanship. Please enjoy this peerless piece, co-developed with the blade artisans of Seki, Gifu.
For gift
Also makes a wonderful gift
The KANZEN Knife is very often purchased as a gift.
It ships in a stylish white gift box — why not keep one for yourself and give one to someone dear?
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Instead of physical stores, we offer a 7-day trial period so you can try the KANZEN Knife at home.
The blade is 100% VG-10, a super stainless steel also called ultra-hard alloy steel.
This steel is normally used only in parts such as the edge, but by independently developing a manufacturing process specialized for super stainless, the KANZEN Knife uses it for 100% of the blade.
That is how the KANZEN Knife came to be.
The santoku size is 303mm overall, with a 165mm blade.
It is well suited to smaller ingredients and everyday dishes.
*For the standard size, see the KANZEN Knife product page.
Expect like-new sharpness for about a month, and sharpness ample for everyday cooking for about a year or more.
We cannot transfer or change an existing pre-order for the KANZEN Knife (standard or petty size) to the later-released Santoku KANZEN Knife.
Dishwasher washing can cause damage — please wash by hand.
As with any household kitchen knife, please note the following.
1. Wash well after use, wipe off moisture with a towel, and let it dry. Leaving it unattended for more than 3 hours after use can cause rust.
2. Use the knife for cooking only — never for other purposes.
3. To avoid dulling or chipping the edge, do not use it on very hard substances such as ice, bones, shells, or hard pits (e.g. peaches).
4. Store the knife out of children’s reach and handle it safely.
5. Avoid using it on unstable surfaces — it can cause injury.
With these in mind, enjoy your daily cooking with the KANZEN Knife.
After use, wash well, wipe off moisture thoroughly with a towel, and let it dry.
Leaving it unattended for more than 3 hours after use can cause rust.
If rust does appear, use a coarse sponge or a dedicated rust-removal sponge.
The 7-day free trial guarantees a full refund and return if the KANZEN Knife falls short of your expectations, provided the return is made between 4 and 7 days from the delivery date.
(To ensure you can properly try the product, we ask for a 3-day trial period from the delivery date first.)
■ About the trial period: if delivery is on January 1, the final day of the free trial is January 7, the 7th day from delivery. From the 8th day onward, the free trial no longer applies — please take care.
■ From purchase to trial
Step 1
Choose your product on the official Tashinam online store, enter your details, and place your order. We deliver to your home with free shipping.
Step 2
The 7-day trial period starts on the day the product arrives. Enjoy the blissful cutting feel of the KANZEN Knife to the fullest.
Step 3
If you are not satisfied, we will accept a return and refund. Contact us via the return request form and follow the steps.
■ Cases outside the scope of the 7-day trial
・Deliberate damage to the product
・Rust caused by improper use
・Deterioration such as scratches, or mistaken orders
・Other reasons inconsistent with the intent of a trial — returns for reasons inconsistent with the intent of a trial cannot be accepted; please take care.
To request a return, select “Return during the free trial period” in the inquiry form below and apply.
Returns during the free trial — apply here
When applying for a free-trial return, completing our customer survey is required.
Your feedback helps us improve our products and service — thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
■ Return procedure
Contact us via the return request form. Note: returns cannot be accepted for reasons inconsistent with the intent of a trial, such as deliberate damage, or rust and scratches caused by improper use.
You can apply for a return via the link above.
Delivery of the return kit: once we confirm your application and that it falls within the trial’s scope, we will send a return kit to your address.
Pack the product and ship it to the designated address.
Return and refund: after the product is returned to the designated address, we will refund your purchase.
Return shipping is free (covered by Tashinam), so please rest assured.
We accept the following payment methods.
1. Credit card (JCB, VISA, Mastercard, AMEX)
2. PayPal, PayPay, LINE Pay, Merpay
3. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, Paidy
If a payment fails, please check your card’s expiration date and available credit, then contact your card company.
*Installment and bonus payments are not available for credit card or Apple Pay.
*Bank transfer is not supported.
Shipping is free nationwide across Japan. (For courier delivery to Okinawa and remote islands only, ¥1,620 including tax.)
The Santoku KANZEN Knife ships within 3–5 business days.
When your order ships, a shipping notice with a tracking number will be sent to your email address so you can check the delivery status.
*For other KANZEN Knife sizes and sets, please check the estimated shipping month noted in the product name.
*The shipping month in the product name is an estimate. Depending on production, shipping may be delayed — thank you for your understanding.
About the 7-day free trial
Within the 7-day trial period, please follow the return steps below.
Step 1: Contact us via the return request form.
*Note: returns cannot be accepted for reasons inconsistent with the intent of a trial, such as deliberate damage, or rust and scratches caused by improper use.
Step 2: Our customer support will send you a short survey about the return.
Step 3: Please complete the survey. Your feedback is invaluable for improving our products and service — we would love to hear your voice.
Step 4: After the product is returned to the designated address, we will refund your purchase.
*Return shipping is free (covered by Tashinam).
*We will send you a return kit — please pack the product and ship it back.
About cancellations
Tashinam does not accept cancellations after a pre-order or order has been placed.
For pre-order products, production begins once your order is confirmed.
Our whole team prepares each order with care so that you will be delighted with your product — we appreciate your understanding.
In the case of a defective product, please contact us within 7 days of delivery via the contact form.