The Shun Kanso Hollow Edge Santoku Knife is smaller than the full-sized santoku, but still offers all the performance you expect from a favorite kitchen tool. Its in-between weight and size make this santoku perfect for medium-sized kitchen tasks, from slicing carrots and shallots to mincing herbs to cutting chocolate or butter. The hollow edges on the blade help food release more quickly, making food preparation even easier. Cooks with smaller hands or those who simply prefer a more compact knife may find that this slightly smaller santoku becomes a top go-to knife. Some cooks use it in place of a paring knife or find it to be the ideal size for cutting up breakfast fruit.<br /><br />Shun Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy meaning "simplicity," but simplicity that is achieved by eliminating the non-essential. Features high-performance steel, razor-sharp edge, perfect balance, and precision cutting control. The blade is constructed of Japanese AUS10A highly refined high-carbon vanadium stainless steel sharpened to a 16° cutting angle each side to cut cleanly and help preserve food's freshness and best taste, providing a razor-sharp edge that holds longer. The Heritage finish blade hides scratches and gives a rustic look that just improves with age. The handle is made of tagayasan wood, sometimes known as "iron sword wood." The full tang construction provides strength, balance, and easy cutting control. Handcrafted in Seki, Japan with a limited lifetime warranty.