Dick Red Spirit Fluted Santoku Knife 18cm

The Dick Red Spirit Santoku is a general-purpose prep knife built around the santoku format — shorter and lighter than a conventional chef's knife, with a flat cutting edge and a broad blade designed for the push-cutting and chopping techniques commonly used in both Asian and European prep work. The fluted blade reduces surface contact between the food and the steel, which helps prevent softer ingredients from sticking during repetitive slicing tasks.

Made from high-alloyed stainless steel and manufactured in Germany, the blade takes and holds an edge reliably under the kind of daily use typical in a busy kitchen. At 190g the knife is light enough for extended prep sessions without causing fatigue, and the red composite handle is shaped to sit comfortably in the hand across a range of grip styles. The red handle colouring also makes it straightforward to use as part of a colour-coded knife system — useful where kitchens separate prep areas by allergen or food type.

• Reduces ingredient sticking on delicate slices thanks to the fluted edge
• Colour-coded handle supports allergen or cross-contamination control systems
• Balanced weight helps reduce hand fatigue during extended prep periods
• High-alloy stainless steel holds an edge well with regular honing
• Versatile cutting profile handles vegetables, fish, and boneless meat

The 18cm blade length sits in the mid-range of the santoku format — practical for most prep tasks without being unwieldy on a crowded board. It is well suited to section chefs, commis roles, and any kitchen where a dedicated prep knife is a sensible addition to the block. For operators running high-volume prep with more demanding cutting requirements, Dick's broader knife range includes heavier options worth considering.

If you are building out a knife set or reviewing your current prep setup, we are happy to talk through what tends to work well in practice.