Rank #8 in Best Kitchen Knives 2026: The Hardness Nobody Publishes
SHAN ZU Santoku Knife 18cm, 10Cr15MoV Steel, HRC62, 12 Degree Edge
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The SHAN ZU santoku costs £19.05 and is rated 4.8 stars from 418 ratings, with a stated hardness of HRC62 and a 12 degree edge.
It takes eighth because it is the only knife here that publishes both figures that matter and it has the best rating in the ranking, while 418 ratings is a smaller base and the thin edge demands careful handling.
How those 418 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.8 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Hardness | HRC62 |
|---|---|
| Edge angle | 12 degrees |
| Steel | 10Cr15MoV, five-layer laminated |
| Blade length | 18 Centimetres |
| Handle | Pakkawood |
| Ratings | 4.8 from 418 |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Excellent knife. Great quality and feel. Sharpens well.”
Verified purchase“Superb quality and very sharp easy to use fits well highly recommended”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Kitchen Knives 2026: The Hardness Nobody Publishes.
Questions people ask
What is a 12 degree edge?
A shallow, keen angle that cuts cleanly and is more fragile than a 20 degree one.
Can I chop bones with it?
No: thin hard edges chip on bone and frozen food.
Can it go in a dishwasher?
No, for the same reason.
How hard is it?
HRC62, stated in the listing along with the angle.
Why is it eighth?
Because both numbers are published and the rating is the best here, but the sample is smaller than the knives above it.
How many ratings does it have?
418 at the time of collection, averaging 4.8 stars, with 85 per cent five-star and 1 per cent one-star.
Comments
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