Cowan and Sons 2 pc Santoku Chef's Paring Knife - Chef Knife - Global Chef Knife A Santoku knife is the Japanese version of a chef's knife. The knife has more steel at the tip of the blade and a flatter belly and usually no bolster. Most people use more of a chopping motion instead of a rocking motion when cutting various types of food. The normal CR (carbon ratio) in the industry for knives is 3CR 13 these knives are even better steel at 3CR 14. The Santoku knives are full tang triple rivet construction.