Culinary Tools & Cutlery

Kitchen Knife Blade Shapes Guide

From Western curved chef knives to Japanese flat-profile Santokus and Nakiris. Master cutting techniques, bevel angles, and blade geometry.

Select Kitchen Knife Blade Profile:

Blade Geometry & Cut Profile

Santoku (Three Virtues)

Traditional: Santoku Bōchō

Length: 6.5" – 7" (16.5 – 18 cm)Push Cut / Tap Chop

Blade Edge Profile:

Flat cutting edge with a blunt sheep’s foot curved tip

Bevel Type:

Double Bevel (50/50)

Culinary Superpower:

The "three virtues" refer to meat, fish, and vegetables. Compact home kitchen favorite.

🔪 Rock-Chopping vs Push-Cutting: Why German Chef Knives Differ From Japanese Santokus

Western Chef Knives (Wüsthof, Zwilling) feature a round curved belly designed for continuous rock-chopping without lifting the tip off the cutting board. Japanese knives (Santoku, Nakiri) have a nearly flat profile designed for up-and-down push-cutting (tap chopping). Rock-chopping on a delicate Japanese high-carbon knife can chip the thin brittle edge!