Lion Sabatier Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge Idéal Black 18 cm
Forged from a single piece of steel, so sturdy and nicely balanced
Comes sharp out of the box and is easy to sharpen yourself
Thanks to the dimples, potatoes and fish do not stick to the blade
Forget that frustrating feeling of thin slices of potato or fish sticking to your blade while trying to cut smoothly. With the Lion Sabatier Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge Idéal Black 18 cm, you can slice, chop, and dice your vegetables, meat, and fish with a precision and ease that you will feel immediately. This is the all-purpose knife you reach for every day - whether you're preparing a quick weekday meal or cooking a lavish dinner for loved ones.
The best of both worlds: Japanese shape, French craftsmanship
The Santoku is not a trendy gadget - it is a knife with a proven philosophy. The wide, straight blade makes three movements effortless: slicing, chopping, and dicing. Lion Sabatier puts a French twist on this. This brand has its roots in Thiers, the French knife-making capital, where generations of craftsmen learned what a knife must truly do: perform, day after day, year after year.
The result? A Santoku knife that not only feels good in your hand but also proves in practice why quality is the smartest choice.
Why this knife stands out
- Forged from a single piece - Blade, bolster, and tang are made from a single piece of 4116 Nitro+ steel. This means maximum strength, perfect balance, and no weak welds or joints.
- Hollows that really work - The indentations along the blade create an air cushion between the knife and the ingredient. Potatoes, fish, and cheese simply fall off the blade - no fuss, no interruptions while cutting.
- Sharp out of the box, easy to maintain - The 4116 Nitro+ steel has a hardness of 58-60 HRC. This is tough enough for daily use yet easy to sharpen in the European way.
- Comfortable grip - The black POM plastic handle feels good in the hand, even during long cutting sessions. The three brass rivets give the knife a chic, distinctive look that suits a serious home cook.
- Made in Thiers, France - Not assembled somewhere, but truly made in the city that has been synonymous with knife-making for centuries. That’s not just marketing - that’s craftsmanship with an address.
4116 Nitro+ steel: more than a technical gimmick
The material a knife is made from determines everything. Lion Sabatier chooses 4116 Nitro+ steel - a nitrogen-enriched stainless steel that is harder, more corrosion-resistant, and easier to sharpen than regular stainless steel. The hardness of 58-60 HRC ensures a cutting edge that stays sharp for a long time, without needing a specialist to sharpen it. A regular European sharpening stone or steel is sufficient.
This is exactly what Cookinglife means by quality that proves itself in practice: no complicated maintenance, no special equipment, just a knife that keeps doing what it should. Smart buying, long enjoyment - it’s that simple.
The feel of fully forged steel
There’s a reason serious cooks always choose fully forged knives. When the blade, bolster, and tang come from a single piece of steel, the balance is different - better. The knife feels like an extension of your hand. You don’t need to exert force; the knife does the work. You’ll notice this immediately when you first hold it, and it remains so after months and years of use.
Weighing 148 grams is intentional: light enough to manoeuvre effortlessly, heavy enough to feel like you have a serious tool in your hand. The total length of 295 mm with an 18 cm blade is the ideal size for cutting almost anything you encounter in the kitchen - from the finest herb chopping to portioning a larger piece of meat.
Maintenance: how to keep this knife sharp and beautiful
This knife deserves your attention - and it’s easier than you think. Wash it by hand with warm water and mild dish soap after use, and dry it immediately. Do not place it in the dishwasher: the aggressive cleaning agents and extreme moisture can damage both the blade and the POM handle. An extra minute of hand washing is the best investment you can make for the longevity of this knife.
Store it preferably on a magnetic knife strip or in a knife block - loose in a drawer throws off the sharp edge and is not good for the blade’s edge.
💡 Cookinglife Tip: Use this Santoku knife for your finer cutting tasks: thin slices of courgette, finely chopped shallots, or precise pieces of salmon. The hollows in the blade ensure that your ingredients glide off the knife smoothly - allowing you to cut faster and cleaner, without everything sticking to the steel. Pair this knife with a good wooden or plastic chopping board for the best results.
Specifications
- Collection: Idéal Black
- Type: Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge
- Blade Length: 18 cm
- Total Length: 29.5 cm
- Weight: 148 grams
- Blade Material: 4116 Nitro+ steel (nitrogen-enriched stainless steel)
- Handle Material: POM plastic with three brass rivets
- Hardness: 58-60 HRC
- Colour: Silver / Black
- Sharpening Method: European
- Dishwasher Safe: No - hand wash recommended
- Country of Origin: France (Thiers)
In the box
- Lion Sabatier Santoku Knife with Hollow Edge Idéal Black 18 cm
This is the knife you won’t want to be without after your first cut. Whether you’re preparing a relaxed Sunday meal for your family or quickly putting together a tasty weekday dinner - the Lion Sabatier Santoku Knife Idéal Black 18 cm makes every moment in the kitchen just a bit more enjoyable. Add it to your collection and discover what well-forged steel can do for your cooking pleasure.
