Kitchen knives are essential tools for daily cooking. To find the perfect companion that cuts food cleanly and feels comfortable to use, LDK magazine conducted thorough testing of 14 different products.
PR TIMES introduces 10 highly-rated products from this test.
Evaluation Criteria
- Sharpness: 5 points maximum
- Edge Retention: 5 points maximum
- Ease of Use: 5 points maximum
Top 10 "Stress-Free Kitchen Knives" for Daily Cooking
Best Buy: Yaxell Premio MODERN Santoku Knife SC
Purchase Price: ¥3,300 / Blade Length: 165mm
The Yaxell knife cuts through both meat and vegetables with minimal effort, and its sharpness lasts for an extended period. It offers excellent stability when held and is comfortable to use for long periods without tiring your hand. The all-stainless steel construction makes maintenance simple, making it perfect for daily use.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 4/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 |
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Best Buy: Kyowa Kogyo Stone Barrier Knife Light Type
Purchase Price: ¥13,200 / Blade Length: 180mm
The Stone Barrier knife demonstrated exceptional sharpness when new. It cuts through hard squash with ease, delivering smooth performance from prep work through finishing. While the price is somewhat high, it's recommended for those who won't compromise on cutting performance or those who want to seriously enjoy cooking.
| Sharpness: 5/5 | Edge Retention: 4/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 |
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A Rating: KAI Sekimagoroku Shironez Santoku
Price: ¥3,850 / Blade Length: 165mm
In edge retention testing, while food grip decreased compared to when new, the knife cut cleanly and smoothly once the blade entered. The compact handle is easy to grip.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 4/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 |
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A Rating: Mitsusei Hamono River Line Santoku Knife
Price: ¥3,850 / Blade Length: 165mm
Despite being lightweight, the blade enters smoothly with sharp cutting performance. The gently curved handle is comfortable to hold.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 5/5 |
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B Rating: Thermos Fine Edge KKA-S165
Price: ¥2,750 / Blade Length: 165mm
Achieved high ratings for ease of use, combining both comfortable grip and easy cleaning. Cutting performance is moderate.
| Sharpness: 3/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 5/5 |
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B Rating: Yoshida Kinzoku Kogyo GLOBAL Santoku GS-201
Price: ¥8,800 / Blade Length: 140mm
Despite its small size, it cuts all foods well. The handle's dimples act as non-slip features and provide stability, earning high marks for grip comfort.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 |
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B Rating: PAUDIN Santoku Knife
Price: ¥4,990 / Blade Length: 180mm
Overall excellent sharpness in testing. The knife's weight helps it cut through soft foods like tomatoes and bread without difficulty.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 4/5 | Ease of Use: 2/5 |
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B Rating: Vitacraft Solid Knife Black Santoku Knife
Price: ¥5,500 / Blade Length: 180mm
The weight and length make bread easy to cut. The side indentations prevent food from sticking to the blade.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 3/5 |
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B Rating: Misono Hamono Molybdenum Steel No.581 Santoku Knife
Price: ¥6,050 / Blade Length: 180mm
Cuts tomatoes and bread into thin, clean slices. The curved handle fits comfortably in your hand.
| Sharpness: 4/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 3/5 |
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B Rating: King Jim Ratuna Silver Titanium Hybrid Knife
Price: ¥3,680 / Blade Length: 160mm
Easy to handle with its 160mm blade length. Lightweight and cuts tomatoes cleanly.
| Sharpness: 3/5 | Edge Retention: 3/5 | Ease of Use: 4/5 |
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For detailed evaluations of each product and results for other products, check the February 2026 issue of LDK magazine, now on sale.
LDK will continue to share products featured in the latest issue. Stay tuned!
The "Certification" Mark: Proof of Editorial Approval
After rigorous testing from a user's perspective, products that the editorial team truly recommends receive this certification mark. This mark, which cannot be obtained at any price, is utilized by award-winning companies for product promotion.
For inquiries about certification marks, please contact the Marketing Department listed at the end of this release.
About LDK
A magazine that conducts thorough testing of various products from a user's perspective, with no advertisements or tie-ups, by the editorial team and experts. It delivers honest evaluations considering only readers' interests.
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Publication Name: LDK
Release Date: Every 28th of the month
Publisher: Shinyusha Co., Ltd.
(1-12 Kanda Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)
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