WÜSTHOF Gourmet 5" Hollow Edge Santoku Knife, Black

My entire life has been lived without a Santoku knife. I always made due with cheap stuff and whatever I could pick up along the way. This was my first uprade, ever. First, it's lightweight. That's a plus for unstable wrists and periodic pain. Second, it's predictably sharp, no surprise there, but not so sharp to accidentally cut yourself. Third, it combines manufacturing features in an attractive way. The handle is smooth, the rivets (?) holding it together are neither recessed or protruding. The photo is accurate, what you see, is what you get. Other reviewers have complained about rust. I can't possibly see how this would happen, unless not caring for it as recommended. I hand wash immediately after use, dry completely and, for now, replace in the plastic cover provided. In a busy household this may be unrealistic, but for a single person, doable. It's a delight to use, always performing the same on any food, whether covered by skin or not.

I love cooking. Three very good knives is all that's really needed and used the most often. The other great brand that starts with an "H" licensed its name to anyone who pays the rent. It's now crafted in several countries, including Germany. The other day, I saw cookware retailed with their name. Wusthoff is still family-owned in Solingen, Germany. Very good knives I will keep purchasing, for as long as the family continues crafting, when I can afford them. But every knife I own, will be inherited by the next generations, in excellent shape. The USA lost its skilled master craftsmen from Pennsylvania and Virginia - decades ago. When I find the knives and tools at family auctions...Anyway, Wusthoffs are expensive German knives so worth using. They stay sharp longer. Provide precise easy cuts and require some minimum care like all expensive knives. All knives should be handwashed, so I don't know about dishwasher performance.

As described, sharp, great knives

I have been searching for a knife that is well balanced and feels comfortable in my small hands. Found! The hollow edge santoku knife is lightweight and not bulky. After so many years of switching up knives for different foods, this is now my go to. I am happily emptying out my knife drawer and replacing all of them with this beauty. The thin carbon steel is sharp enough to cut through a butternut squash but easily slices cheese and tomatoes. I purchased this for a great price on sale and am now waiting for the seven inch knife and paring knife to go on sale as well. I would highly recommend Wusthof knives!

Quality knife at an affordable price. Very sharp knife, edge has held up nicely through almost daily use on veggies and meats. Perfect smaller santoku for chopping, slicing and dicing.

The WÜSTHOF Gourmet 5” Hollow Edge Santoku Knife has been a game-changer in my kitchen. It’s lightweight yet incredibly durable, making it perfect for daily use. The hollow edge design helps prevent food from sticking to the blade, which is a huge time-saver when slicing vegetables or meat. It’s sharp right out of the box and maintains its edge beautifully with minimal maintenance. The handle is comfortable to hold and offers great balance, making it easy to control even for precision cuts. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, this knife is a must-have in your collection. Highly recommended!”

I bought this knife for my spiritual mother. She said, "this knife is excellent". She told me that she cut herself with it on her first use. This is a very good quality knife and sharp! It's easy to use. The value is good.

The knife is perfectly capable of acting as a basic utility knife around the kitchen. I needed something to replace a smaller 5” santoku and this has exceeded expectations. My partner happily threw out the old knife for this. It stays sharp and sharpens well.