Wusthof Culinar 7-Inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
Elegant satin-finish handles sculpted from 18/10 stainless steel distinguish Culinar  cutlery from Wüsthof's other cutlery lines. Otherwise Culinar knives embody all the virtues  of other Wüsthof knives that have earned the German manufacturer world renown. The  principal parts of a Wüsthof knife--blade, bolster, and tang--are forged from a single piece  of high-carbon stainless steel, and the blade is precisely tapered from bolster to tip and from back  to hand-honed edge. Blades and beautifully formed bolsters are not as thick as some knives'. As a  result, despite their heft, strength, and durability, Wüsthof knives are pleasingly delicate  and marvelously balanced in action.This 7-inch santoku is a Japanese cook's (or chef's) knife--a low-tip style with a broad blade.  Because the cutting edge is less curved, it provides less rocking action than a European-style  cook's knife. However, for straight-down slicing and precise chopping it's superb. Alternating  hollows on each side of the blade create air pockets, allowing slices to fall away cleanly. This  knife should be hand washed.--Fred Brack