Chef's knives can be used in place of Santoku knives but not vice versa. Chef's knives are much better at chopping vegetables, mincing garlic, and slicing meat because the blade is wider and thicker than a santoku knife which makes it better-suited for these tasks. A santoku knife cannot cut food as easily as a chef's knife, especially vegetables with small bones such as celery or broccoli. Some cooks prefer the feel of a chef's knife in their hands while others prefer the lighter weight of a santoku.