The Shun Premier Santoku is a beautiful, Asian-inspired Chef's knife. "Santoku" means "Three Virtues" and the knife gets its name for the three strengths it demonstrates in the kitchen - cutting vegetables, thin-boned meats, and fish. Some chefs reach for their Santoku as readily as they reach for their chef's knife. If that's the case for you, you'll really appreciate the Shun Premier Santoku. Like the traditional Santoku, a downturned blade tip and a slightly curved blade belly characterizes the Shun Classic Santoku. The slight belly curve enables the cook to rock the blade slightly and makes the Santoku as easy to use as a chef's knife. It is especially well suited to a down and forward cutting motion (push cut) and many cooks swear by it for excellence in chopping and slicing tasks.