When it comes to your kitchen, it's all about finding the tool that are just right for you. If you prefer a smaller knife, may we suggest you try the Shun Kanso 5.5-in. Santoku? In size, it's smaller than our 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-grounds 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 have told us they use it in place of a paring knife or find it to be the ideal size for cutting up breakfast fruit.
 
The Shun Kanso 5.5-in. Hollow-Ground Santoku is part of the Shun Kanso series. Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy. It means “simplicity,” but simplicity that is achieved by eliminating the non-essential. In Kanso, we took away anything that doesn’t matter and kept everything that does: high-performance steel, razor-sharp edge, perfect balance, and precision cutting control. The steel is Japanese AUS10A—highly refined, high-carbon, vanadium stainless steel that takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it longer. Kanso's Heritage finish hides scratches and gives Kanso a rustic look that just improves with age. The handle is made of a wood called tagayasan or wenge, which is sometimes known in Japan as “iron sword wood.” The handle contouring enables an easy chef's grip. Full-tang construction provides strength, balance, and easy cutting control. Like all Shun knives, Kanso is sharpened to a 16° cutting angle each side to cut cleanly and help preserve food’s freshness and best taste.