Carbon Mini Santoku Knife

Made in Japan, Niwaki's Mini Santoku Knife features a razor-sharp shirogami white paper carbon steel blade paired with an octagonal walnut wood handle.

Smaller than the traditional Santoku knife found in Japanese kitchens, this compact version is designed for everyday versatility. It's lighter and shorter than a chef’s knife, yet retains a precise edge that excels at chopping vegetables and producing clean, even slices of meat and fish. It also handles finer prep work with ease, including mincing ginger and garlic.

Beautifully balanced and tastefully simple, carbon steel knives like this one are a popular choice for Japanese chefs, as they sharpen quickly and easily. While carbon blades can be sharpened to a finer edge and hold that sharpness longer than stainless steel, they do require a bit more care. Please read our tips for Caring for Carbon Steel Knives before you purchase. 

Materials:  shirogami white paper carbon steel, walnut

Made by:  Niwaki

Made in:  Japan

Specifications: 

• 10.2"
• 5.3" blade
• octagonal handles

Care:  Immediately hand wash with mild soap and dry after use. The carbon steel blades will oxidize and rust if not looked after, so make sure to clean, dry thoroughly, and wipe with a little Camellia Oil if not used daily. Please read our tips for Caring for Carbon Steel Knives before purchasing.

For more information on caring for wooden knives, we invite you to read our article, "Wooden Brushes, Knives, and Tools: Tips for Use and Care".

Further Reading:  The word niwaki in Japanese means "garden tree", and it refers to the art of training trees through care, attention, and detail. Niwaki brings the very best in Japanese design and craftsmanship, inspiring gardeners, chefs, and craftsmen to do the stuff they love, even better. 

Niwaki's Carbon Kitchen Knives are made at the Tadafusa Factory in Sanjo, Japan, founded in 1948 and now run by the third generation of the Sone family. 

Explore our full Niwaki collection for thoughtfully crafted Japanese tools designed for the home, garden, and daily life.