If you're in the market for a quality kitchen knife, you may wonder about Shun knives.
They're some of the most popular kitchen knives for a good reason. But what makes a Shun knife so great?
This blog post will look at some features that make Shun knives stand out from the competition.
So if you're curious whether a Shun knife is right for you, read on! We'll explore everything from their construction to their sharpness to their price point. By the end, you should have a good idea of whether or not a Shun knife is the right choice for your kitchen.
Introducing Shun Knives
Shun is a cutlery brand that belongs to Japan. Shun is handcrafted blades in the historical city of Seki city, Japan. The city grew as long as the blades in the area sharpened. The city's pioneer came to the area in 1229-1261 and started his cutlery blade-making craftsmanship. All this craftsmanship started with the traditional methods of making knife blades in ancient times.
Today the market for Shun blades has grown around the globe. It started to take the market when there were trending European-styled kitchen knives. Shun managed its place in the market with its outstanding hand-made blades that professional chefs and domestic cooks well appreciated.
How We Have Chosen The Best Options
It can be hard to know which Shun knife is the best for your needs, especially if you're unfamiliar with all the different types of knives.
With so many Shun Knives available on the market, it's hard to know which is the right fit for you and your family. Not only do you have to worry about finding a quality Shun knife, but also one that will fit your budget.
Shun offers a wide variety of knives, each designed for a specific purpose. While all their knives are an excellent choice, we recommend the Shun Cutlery Premier.
Whether you're looking for a chef's knife, kiritsuke knife, paring knife, utility knife, or Nakiri knife, we have the best options.
We have included the links for each Shun Cutlery Classic knife as a comparison.
Shun Classic or Shun Premier?
Shun Cutlery Premier
Shun Premier features a VG-MAX cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus steel with a tuschime-finish, making this knife both razor-sharp and incredibly durable. The contoured, beautiful walnut-finished Pakkawood handles will provide precise control and are not only comfortable to use but also resistant to moisture, making it perfect for even the most demanding kitchen tasks.
Shun Cutlery Classic
With a smaller price tag but still excellent quality, the Classics are made with the brand's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, so it's built to last. Plus, it's stain and corrosion-resistant, with a razor-sharp edge that will make light work of any kitchen prep tasks. The comfortable D-shaped, ebony-finish Pakkawood handle is beautiful and durable; it won't harbor bacteria. Also, they are perfect for both left- and right-handed users.
So what's the main difference:
Shun Premier:
- Hammered tuschime finish.
- Slightly more comfortable handle.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
- Higher price tag.
Shun Cutlery Classic Knives
1. Shun Cutlery Premier Chef's Knife
Why We Like It:
- 8-inches.
- Perfect for being an ideal prep knife.
- Most versatile cooking knife.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
If you're looking for a versatile and dependable chef knife, check out Shun's Classic chef's knife. This durable Japanese-made knife is perfect for various tasks, from chopping vegetables and fruit to slicing meat. Its 8-inch blade provides plenty of length for tackling big jobs, while its razor-sharp edge makes quick work of smaller tasks.
Its wide, curved blade is perfect for chopping, mincing, and slicing, while the ergonomic handle ensures a comfortable grip for hours of prep work.
Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting, the Shun Premier Chef's Knife is the perfect tool for your kitchen.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Chef Knife, click here.
2. Shun Cutlery Premier Bread Knife
Why We Like It:
- 9-inches.
- Perfect for bread, cake, and pastries.
- Slice without ripping, squashing, or tearing the bread.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
The Shun 9-inch Classic Bread Knife is a must-have for any home baker or bread enthusiast. It's specifically designed to provide beautiful, consistent slices of all types of bread-- from soft and fluffy white bread to crisp sourdough crusts-- without ripping, squashing, or tearing. Its wide serrations blade provides a smooth glide for cakes and pastries.
Unlike most traditional serrated knives, which have jagged teeth that rip through bread, the low-frequency serrations on this knife evenly slice with precision while minimizing tearing and crumbling, producing perfect toast and sandwiches time after time.
So whether you're slicing up a loaf of fresh-baked bread or preparing thick slices of cake or pastry, the Shun Premier Bread Knife will let you serve up deliciousness in style.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Bread Knife, click here.
3. Shun Cutlery Premier Boning & Fillet Knife
Why We Like It:
- 6-Inches.
- Perfect for removing bones and skin.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
The Shun Premier 6-inch Boning & Fillet Knife is the perfect tool for any chef who likes to get in close to the bone and wants to easily remove bones and skin from meat and fish. With its sleek, narrow, curved, and extremely sharp blade, this knife can effortlessly handle all kinds of tough cuts and most challenging tasks, quickly and efficiently transforming them into delicious cutlets and perfect fillets. Plus, this knife is a pleasure to use with its comfortable grip and balanced design.
So if you're looking for a fillet or boning knife that can handle anything you throw at it, the Shun Premier is a perfect choice.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Boning & Fillet Knife, click here.
4. Shun Cutlery Premier Paring Knife
Why We Like It:
- 4 inches or 3.5 inches.
- Perfect for peeling, trimming, and coring.
- Users have complete control over the tip and edge of the blade.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
If you want an essential paring knife that can help you with all your peeling and coring needs, check out the Shun Premier 4-inch paring knife! This handy knife is perfect for those small jobs like peeling fruits and vegetables. But don't let its size fool you - the Shun Premier Paring Knife is also incredibly sharp, making it a real powerhouse in the kitchen.
This little powerhouse is perfect for peeling, trimming, coring, and other delicate work. The blade is razor sharp and gives you complete control over the tip and edge, so you can easily create beautiful garnishes and decorations. Moreover, the comfortable grip ensures that you can work precisely and comfortably.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Paring Knife, click here.
5. Shun Cutlery Premier Nakiri Knife
Why We Like It:
- 6.5-inches.
- Perfect for prepping vegetables and fruits.
- The blunt end adds extra safety.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
Need a knife that can handle all your fruit and veggie prep? Then you need a nakiri knife! This traditional Japanese-style knife is a favorite among professional chefs and home cooks alike for its versatility and precision.
The Shun Premier 6.5-inch nakiri knife is perfect for slicing, dicing, and chopping all your favorite fruits and vegetables. Its razor-sharp blade makes quick work of even the most delicate produce, while its ergonomic design ensures comfort and control during use. Add this essential kitchen tool to your collection today and make meal prep a breeze!
The nakiri knife is perfect for precise, delicate slicing and dicing. Its straight blade and blunt end make it safe to use, while its sharp edge ensures precision cuts.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Nakiri Knife, click here.
6. Shun Cutlery Premier Utility Knife
Why We Like It:
- 6-inches.
- Narrow, Straight-blade.
- Perfect for precise cuts and trimming.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
Do you need a versatile kitchen knife that can handle various tasks? Shun Cutlery Classic's utility knife is right for the job. This handy little knife is perfect for everything from trimming vegetables to slicing fruit. Its straight, narrow blade makes it ideal for precision cutting, and its comfortable handle will make even the most delicate tasks a breeze.
The utility knife is the perfect tool for making sandwiches. It can easily slice through thin-skinned vegetables like tomatoes, meats, and cheeses. With its sharp blade, the utility knife makes quick work of sandwich preparation. And its comfortable handle ensures that you can work with it for extended periods of time without fatigue.
So whether you're prepping a healthy meal or whipping up a tasty snack, this utility knife is up for the job.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Utility Knife, click here.
7. Shun Cutlery Premier Kiritsuke Knife
Why We Like It:
- 8-inches.
- Perfect for being an all-around prep knife.
- Similar to a chef's knife.
- There are 68 layers of stainless Damascus and a VG-MAX cutting core, with a hammered tuschime-finish.
- Contoured, walnut-finished Pakkawood handle.
As a master chef's knife, the Shun 8-inch Classic Kiritsuke Knife offers top cutting performance and versatility, making it a perfect all-around prep knife. The wide blade is ideal for slicing, dicing, and mincing, while the pointed tip is perfect for precision work like removing seeds from peppers or carving delicate garnishes.
The tapered edge of the blade also makes it easy to rock back and forth for a more precise cut. And with its comfortable, ergonomic handle, you'll be able to prep ingredients quickly and easily. So whether you're slicing veggies for a stir-fry or dicing onions for a soup, the Shun 8-inch Classic Kiritsuke Knife is up for the task.
To view the Shun Cutlery Classic Kiritsuke, click here.
Now that you've seen our list of recommendations, we'll get into more detail about the Shun knives.
The Original Shun Knife
The original Shun White blade states, "Made in Japan." So, read the carved statement to make sure you own an original Shun knife. Remember that Shun handcrafts all the blades in Japan, while the wooden grip sometimes comes from China or elsewhere.
These knives are most popular for their efficiency, lightweight, fine-cutting quality, thin blades, and sharp edges than any other top-branded knives.
The Shun blades bring a cutlery line for professional chefs, cooking lovers, domestic consumers, and others who have developed a love for cutting and cooking. Shun knives are loved by all consumers equally for their finest quality, perfect style, and love of Japanese tradition.
What makes Shun Knives special?
Shun knives are no doubt special for so many reasons. One may develop a special love for these knives for being symbolic of the eastern tradition of making knives. The blades of these knives are made with the toughest steel one used in any other knife in the west or Europe.
The blades are specially made thin and tough to cut sharply and precisely. Thin blades enhance agility and precision in cutting and slicing. They are made lighter so that the wrist does not burden or feel pressure. The hard, light, and thin blade is an ideal combination that gives you the most needed sharp-cutting satisfaction. You can keep hold of the knife as long as you want. Also, it prolongs the timing before you need to sharpen the blade.
Blade Material and Design
Shun Cutlery Premier
Their construction values quality through and through, building their knives with a proprietary VG-MAX cutting core clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus with a hammered tuschime-finish. This combination creates an impenetrable steel wall, creating a knife that is both corrosion and stain-resistant while retaining a strong, razor-sharp edge.
The handles are just as thoughtfully designed; its walnut-finished Pakkawood handle is beautiful to look at and resists moisture, and provides precise control, no matter the task.
Damascus Artistic Patterns
The knives are beautifully ornate with a distinctive Damascus artistic pattern carved by two folded layers of steel that strengthen the blade and beautify it. This pattern is unique to each blade.
The unique design of the blade lends it better performance as the ridges created by the wavy edge of the blade causes air pockets that let slices fall the blade; thus, the cutting and falling happen effortlessly. Due to their unique tactfulness, chefs and experts prefer these knives to any other set of knives. Each knife in the set purposefully serves the function as smoothly as possible.
Shun knives are available in single and double bevel in both styles. Bevel means the edge is razor sharpened to a 16° angle on each side of the blade. A single bevel knife means a sharp cutting edge on a single side, while a double bevel means a sharp cutting edge on both sides that is usually used for the regular finest cutting and chopping of fruits, vegetables, and meats in a tireless fashion.
Grip Styles and Finish
The Shun knife blades have special designs and patterns to create beauty and efficiency. The grip style is no less valuable and is made with impregnated with Pakkawood and resin that looks astoundingly good with a white decorated Shun blade. The grip material is waterproof and strong to handle. The side dimension looks more like a D that comfortably fits in hand.
Care and Maintenance
Knives must be sharpened every so often to maintain their cutting ability. If a knife isn't sharpened often enough, the blade will start to become dull and will not be able to cut through food as easily. Dull knives can also be dangerous because they are more likely to slip and cause an injury. Therefore, it is important to sharpen your knives regularly to keep them safe and effective.
Cutting surface
The cutting surface is an important factor in the performance of a knife. Always go for a good quality cutting board when using a Shun knife. Do not use marble, granite, ceramic, or synthetic cutting board; instead, use a wooden cutting board for better performance.
Washing & drying
Washing a Shun knife is equally important for its user. However, the washing is very simple and guarantees the best performance if you take important small steps carefully. Use a mild dishwashing soap with lukewarm water to wash off any traces on the knife. Do not use citrus extract or bleach to wash it. Never let the knife sit in soap water.
Rinse off immediately and towel dry as soon as possible. When they're left damp, it can affect the blade's performance. So let it dry fully before storing.
Environmental factors also affect the Shun knife's wooden grip. In arid conditions, it may shrink, while in humid conditions, it may swell a little but remember, both these conditions may not last long. The color of the wood may also change a little due to environmental factors such as exposure to grease, heat or light, or oxidation. Take these changes as a natural process of aging.
Patina
Patina is a thin film that resides on the blade's surface due to oxidation for longer. This thin film deposits on Shun's blade naturally. However, this does not affect the performance of the blade. You can remove this thin film easily by applying a mixture of baking soda and water using a soft cloth in a horizontal sweep motion. The blade would start to shine as new.
Single-bevel Blade Care
The Shun knives with single bevels need extra care in addition to regular maintenance. A single bevel blade needs smooth hone on 6000 grit whetstone by using the uraoshi method. This method takes place in a series of progressive fine-grit whetstones. A professional sharpening service can also be helpful to take for this purpose.
Uraoshi smooths the back of the blade by the edge and spine. The little depression in the blade's rear facilitates the food to fall off the blade. Sharpening is easy because there is no slant to keep; start pulling the blade evenly across the whetstone. It also decreases honing effort because you're simply honing the edges and not the full back of the blade. It also enhances the blade edge.
Sharpening Your Shun Blade
To sharpen a Shun knife, try to take take the services of professional sharpening services. For those who want to sharpen the knife themselves, we recommend using an electric sharpener, especially one made to sharpen the Shun blade at a 16° angle. It is necessary to be very careful while sharpening so you do not lose an extra amount of metal. Using a sharpener from Shun's is better, or you can enjoy Shun's free service for Shun knives. Shun gives lifetime sharpening services for its own knives. Customers need to pay for the shipping charges only.
Best Shun Knives FAQs
Do Shun knives break easily?
Shun knives are not easily breakable as they are made of VG10 and VG-Max steel to 60-61 Rockwell and SG2 to 61-62. The sharp degree Rockwell means more hard, thin, and precise shun knife edge.
Will Shun knives rust?
They may become rusty if kept in a humid place. It is better to towel dry them after every use or wash and never leave them in water or humid places.
Can Shun knives go in the dishwasher?
You can wash them in the dishwasher while taking them back, as they can tingle and become blunt. Secondly, it can be dangerous to take it back from the dishwasher.
Is Shun the best Japanese knife brand?
Shun knives have been very popular in Japan for long ages and now gaining popularity worldwide due to thinner, sharper, lighter, and harder cutting blades. They are unmatchable for their performance and the beauty of the patterns carved. So no doubt, Shun is one of the best Japanese knife brands.
Does Shun sharpen knives for free?
Yes, Shun offers to sharpen its own knives for free. The customers can send their knives for new finishing and sharpening without paying a penny; however, the shipment costs are due to them.
What does "shun" mean?
For name's sake, the word "Shun" is the time in a year when a food is at the peak of perfection. The art came from the knife makers in Japan and spread worldwide with the same art life and precision. Shun is also the time of perfect harvest, the sweetest for fruit and ripest for vegetables. The art of perfect delicacy and taste. It is borrowed from the harmony of nature and delivered intact in the form of original Japanese knives, "Shun."
Does Shun Cutlery make steak knives?
Yes. Shun Cutlery's steak knives are made with high-quality, stainless steel blades that are designed to quickly and easily cut through even the toughest cuts of meat. The steak knife blades are also sharpened to a 16-degree angle, ensuring that they stay sharp for longer and provide a clean, precise cut every time. In addition, the knives feature a comfortable D-shaped handle that provides a secure grip and makes them easy to control.
What is the top-of-the-line Shun knife?
There is no "top of the line" Shun knife since all of their knives are high quality. However, some of their more popular and highly rated models include the Shun Premier, Shun Dual Core, and Shun Classic.
Is Shun the best Japanese knife?
Some people prefer Japanese knives made by Shun because of their blades' high quality and sharpness, while others may prefer knives made by different brands. Ultimately, it comes down to what works best for the individual.
What are three knives you need to have?
A chef's knife, a paring knife, and a serrated bread knife.
Chef's knives are all-purpose kitchen knives. It can be used for chopping vegetables, slicing meat, and more. Paring knives are smaller, more precise kitchen knives used for tasks like peeling fruits and vegetables or cutting small delicate items. Serrated bread knives are perfect for slicing through crusty bread and pastries without crushing them.
What knife do most professional chefs use?
There is no one "professional chef's knife." Chefs use a variety of knives, depending on their personal preferences and the type of cooking they do. Some chefs prefer Japanese-style knives, while others prefer German-, French-, or Western-style knives.
Is high carbon better than stainless steel?
It depends on what you're using it for.
High-carbon stainless steel is better for knives and other tools that need to hold an edge because the carbon atoms in the steel form strong bonds that make the metal harder and more resistant to wear. Stainless steel is better for cookware and flatware because it doesn't rust or stain as easily as high-carbon steel.
Is Shun Dual Core better than Premier?
It depends on what you're looking for in a knife. Shun Dual Core knives are made with softer steel and are easier to sharpen, but they don't hold their edge as well as Premier knives.
Premier knives are the better option if you're looking for a knife that will stay sharp for a long time. But if you like to sharpen their knives often, then Dual Core knives are a good choice since they're easier to sharpen.
What Option of Shun Knives Is Best For You?
Shun knives are a symbol of the art and tradition of Japanese cutlery. They have earned fame due to Japanese artists' state-of-the-art quality and craftsmanship. World-famous chefs and professionals prefer buying this series of blades and knives as they realize they are paying for an invaluable partner.
All the options we presented can be great options for you and your home. Now it comes down to personal preference.
We hope this article has given some clarity on what shun knife you want in your home. If not, don't worry!
You can always reach out to us, and we would be happy to help you make the right decision for your kitchen.
Here is the list of items reviewed:
1. Shun Cutlery Premier Chef's Knife
2. Shun Cutlery Premier Bread Knife
3. Shun Cutlery Premier Boning & Fillet Knife
4. Shun Cutlery Premier Paring Knife
5. Shun Cutlery Premier Nakiri Knife
6. Shun Cutlery Premier Utility Knife
7. Shun Cutlery Premier Kiritsuke Knife
