How To Choose A Knife - Misen Santoku Knife Review + Video

With all of the different varieties and brands of knives on the market, it can be overwhelming trying to choose the best one. By the time you do all of the research and spend money trying different ones out, it can be a frustrating process. Let me teach you the things you should look for in a knife while I review this Misen Santoku knife.

Jump to:

• Questions To Help You Learn How To Choose A Knife
• 1. Western Style Vs. Japanese Style
• 2. What Is The Shape Of The Knife?
• 3. Is It Full Tang Or Partial Tang?
• 4. Are The Rivets Flat?
• 5. What Material Is The Handle Made Out Of?
• 6. Does It Have A D Shaped Grip?
• 7. How Expensive Is It?
• How Does The Misen Santoku Knife Compare?
• Would I Buy a Misen Santoku Knife?

Why You Should Trust My Opinion On How To Choose A Knife

• Cookbook author. I've written 9 cookbooks. I think it's fair to say I've spent a lot of time in the kitchen using knives.
• Efficient. I love using kitchen gadgets to make cooking more efficient. That's the only way I know how to do things. If a knife is difficult to use, sharpen, or slows down my food prep, I won't use it.
• Gadget geek!: I'm a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase (and review) just about any kitchen appliance or tool I can get my hands on.

Questions To Help You Learn How To Choose A Knife

1. Is it Western style or Japanese style?
2. What is the shape of the knife?
3. Is it full tang or partial tang?
4. Are the rivets flat?
5. What material is the handle made out of?
6. Does it have a D shaped grip?
7. How expensive is it?

1. Western Style Vs. Japanese Style

There are two different styles of knives and depending on what you're using it for, you might prefer one over the other. Let me tell you the difference between the two:

Western Style Knives

• Sharpened on both sides.
• Smaller degree bevel (the angle or incline of the edge of the knife).

Japanese Style Knives

• Sharpened on one side.
• A steeper bevel. This makes the edge of the knife thinner.

2. What Is The Shape Of The Knife?

Depending on how your knife skills are and how you prefer to prep food in the kitchen, you might prefer one shape of knife over another. Here are a few of my favorite shapes of knives and how they differ:

Chef's Knife

A Chef's knife has a curved edge that allow you to rock the knife back and forth as you cut. This is good for cutting larger quantities of things because you can cut faster and you don't have to lift the knife in between cuts.

Santoku Knife

A Santoku knife has a straight edge. You have to pick up the knife off of the cutting board between every cut. This is good for making thin or precise cuts.

3. Is It Full Tang Or Partial Tang?

Knives fall in to two categories:

• Full Tang
• Partial Tang

Full Tang

A full tang knife is a knife that is one solid piece from the tip of the knife all the way through the handle.

Partial Tang

A partial tang knife is a knife that has a blade that does not extend through the handle. They will be two separate pieces that are attached to each other.

A knife with a full tang will be more durable and less likely to fail when you're cutting. A knife with a partial tang can be more likely to break since it is two separate pieces.

4. Are The Rivets Flat?

The rivets are the pieces that hold the handle to the blade of a knife. You will want to make sure that the knife you choose has flat rivets. This ensures that food doesn't get stuck in the small spaces to keep your food prep sanitary.

5. What Material Is The Handle Made Out Of?

The quality of the material of the handle is a very important factor in choosing a knife. The handles are generally either made of plastic or wood. The downfall of a plastic handle is that they can easy melt if you set them too close to a hot surface in the kitchen. The plastic knives can also be more slippery and hard to keep a firm grip on if you have any moisture on your hands.

6. Does It Have A D Shaped Grip?

For more precision on your cuts, you want your hand to rest as close to the tip of the knife as possible. In a good knife, you will find the ability to rest your hand at the back of the blade for better control. This area on the back of the blade next to the handle will be D for easier control and comfort.

7. How Expensive Is It?

The price of a knife can range from just a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. With the experience I've had using a wide variety of knives, you really do get what you pay for. However, the most expensive knife might not be better than one that is half of the price if you take all of the other quality factors I mentioned previously in to consideration.

Does The Type Of Cutting Board You Use With Your Knife Matter?

Yes, it absolutely does. If you choose to spend a significant amount of money on a good knife, you'll want to make sure you're not using it on a cutting board that will dull it quickly. My favorite cutting board is made out of Japanese cypress, which is a very soft wood. This keeps my knives sharper.

Never use your knives on a glass cutting board or on a ceramic plate. This will dull them quickly.

How Does The Misen Santoku Knife Compare?

When reviewing this knife, I took all of the questions I answered previously in to consideration. Here's how it stood up to my test:

Would I Buy a Misen Santoku Knife?

Yes, I absolutely would. Here's why:

• Great quality
• Comes out of the box very sharp.
• Easy to sharpen.
• It's a full tang knife.
• Well weighted, and easy to use.
• Flat rivets make it easy to clean.
• Inexpensive. $65 is a fantastic price for this knife.

If you're wondering how to choose a knife with so many options on the market, use my checklist above to help you find the perfect knife for your needs. If you're looking for a great affordable and durable option the Misen Santoku knife would make a great addition to your kitchen.

Buy your Misen Santoku Knife here

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Originally Published December 7, 2020