I remember seeing a knife that had a strait blade and a curved back like a modern Santoku chef knife. Does anyone know what it was called?

Sounds like some kind of seax.

I thought it was a seax at first too, but the blade I am looking for didn't have the long point of a broken back seax; but a sharp curve near the tip like this:

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That style of blade is traditionally called a sheepsfoot blade. Granted most blades of that style in the west don't have the divots in the blade but the profile is the same. Typically used in situations were one doesn't want to accidentally stab something when they cut. Other than cooking it supposedly was popular with sailors. Has a long history with cooking and utility knives. Hope that helps you refine your search.