Wusthof Ikon Blackwood Hollow Edge Santoku
Best precision tool for home cooks seeking effortless, non-stick vegetable prep.
Discover the Wusthof Ikon Blackwood Santoku, a masterfully crafted Japanese-inspired kitchen knife. Its hollow edge blade ensures food releases effortlessly, making slicing, dicing, and mincing exceptionally efficient. Forged from high-carbon stainless steel with a precise 10° cutting angle, it offers superior sharpness and durability. The elegant African Blackwood handle, paired with a full-tang construction, provides perfect balance and comfortable control for any culinary task. Expertly made in Solingen, Germany, this Santoku knife embodies Wusthof's commitment to quality and lasting performance.
$200.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
68
/ 5037
#68 in Kitchen Knives
Price vs Category Average
+50%
Above average
Blade Length
5
/ inches
Who it's for
- Home cooks seeking effortless, precision slicing and minimal food drag
- Professional chefs needing comfort during extended, high-volume prep sessions
- Design enthusiasts prioritizing aesthetic beauty and premium tactile quality
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for entry-level kitchen tools
- Busy cooks preferring low-maintenance, dishwasher-safe cutlery
- Culinary traditionalists who rely on a rocking motion for mincing
Performance breakdown
Edge Retention
High-carbon steel maintains a razor-sharp edge through extensive daily prep work.
Food Release
The hollow edge design effectively prevents sticky ingredients from clinging during slicing.
Ergonomic Balance
Full-tang construction provides a substantial, perfectly weighted feel in the hand.
Aesthetic Appeal
African Blackwood handle offers a sophisticated, premium look for any kitchen.
Precision Cutting
The 10-degree angle delivers exceptionally clean, effortless cuts on delicate produce.
Maintenance Ease
Natural wood handles require occasional oiling to preserve their rich finish.
Key Specs
Blade Length
5 inches
Blade Material
X50 CrMoV15 steel (High Carbon Stainless Steel)
Handle Material
African Blackwood
Edge Angle
10°
Construction
Full tang, triple-riveted
Edge Type
Granton Edge
Grind Type
Hollow Grind
Blade Finish
Satin
Features
- Hollow edge blade for non-stick slicing
- 10° angle for precise, sharp cuts
- Forged high-carbon stainless steel blade
- Full tang for optimal balance
- Premium African Blackwood handle
- Expertly crafted in Germany
- Built for lasting performance
- Lifetime guarantee included
What customers say
Customers regard the Wusthof Ikon Blackwood Santoku as an heirloom quality investment, focusing intensely on its exceptional craftsmanship and ergonomic superiority. Reviewers consistently praise the razor sharp, precision ground blade for effortlessly gliding through ingredients. The hollow edge design notably reduces food sticking during use. The Blackwood handle is a major highlight, celebrated for its stunning aesthetic, comfortable contouring, and perfect balance, which minimizes fatigue during extended prep work. Users feel a tangible difference in control compared to lesser knives. While acknowledged as a significant investment, the consensus is that the knife delivers commensurate value through its superior performance and durability, transforming daily cooking tasks into a pleasure.
Know before you buy
The hollow edge, or Granton edge, features small indentations along the blade that create air pockets between the steel and the food. This significantly reduces friction and prevents ingredients like potatoes or cucumbers from sticking to the knife while you slice.
A 10-degree angle is much sharper than the standard 20-degree angle found on most Western-style knives. This allows for exceptionally precise, clean cuts, though it requires more careful maintenance to preserve the fine edge over time.
Yes, African Blackwood is an incredibly dense, water-resistant hardwood that is well-suited for kitchen environments. While it is highly durable, we recommend hand-washing the knife to maintain the wood's natural luster and prevent it from drying out over the years.
Full tang means the steel of the blade extends all the way through the handle. This provides superior structural integrity, better balance, and a more secure grip, ensuring the knife feels like a natural extension of your hand.
While the manufacturer lists this knife as dishwasher safe, we strongly recommend hand-washing it. High-heat cycles and harsh detergents can dull the blade's edge and eventually damage the natural wood handle.
This 5-inch Santoku is more compact and agile than a traditional 8-inch chef's knife, making it ideal for smaller hands or tasks that require high precision. Its flatter blade profile is specifically designed for efficient downward chopping rather than the rocking motion typically used with a chef's knife.
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$200