Best Shun Knives - Knifepal

A well-made knife is an essential kitchen tool and can be one of the most valuable investments a home cook can make. But not all knives are created equal, and the sheer variety of shapes, sizes, and prices can make figuring out which one to buy a daunting task. That’s why we decided to do some kitchen knife research for you and find the best options for a variety of cutting tasks.

Read on for our list of the best shun knives.

Table of Contents

Our Editor’s Best Shun Knives Reviews

SaleBestseller No. 1

Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife 8”, Gyuto-Style Kitchen Knife, Ideal for All-Around Food Preparation, Authentic, Handcrafted Japanese , Professional Chef Knife

JAPANESE CHEF'S KNIFE: The Shun 8-inch Sora Chef's Knife is perfect for preparing meat, vegetables, fruit and more! It's THE must-have kitchen knife.
GYUTO-STYLE KNIFE: This Japanese kitchen knife is also called a gyuto. It is slightly less curved than a western chef's knife with a gentle roll off the tip, cutting more food with less lifting of the blade.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: The San Mai edge construction uses VG10 steel for a corrosion-resistant, razor-sharp cutting edge supported by 420J stainless steel on the blade upper.
COMFORTABLE, DURABLE HANDLE: Full-tang handle design made from a textured PP/TPE polymer blend for an easy-to-maintain contemporary look and offers a secure grip with strength and balance.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 2

Shun Cutlery Classic Utility Knife 6", Narrow, Straight-Bladed Kitchen Knife Perfect for Precise Cuts, Ideal for Preparing Sandwiches or Trimming Small Vegetables, Handcrafted Japanese Knife

UTILITY KITCHEN KNIFE: In between a chef knife and paring knife with a narrow, straighter blade, the Shun 6-inch Classic Utility Knife is the ideal tool for precise cuts like trimming broccoli, green beans and other small vegetables.
SANDWICH KNIFE: Utility knives are sometimes called sandwich knives. They're perfect for preparing almost everything that goes into a sandwich – from thin-skinned vegetables like tomatoes to meats and cheeses.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this kitchen utility knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users. Plus, it doesn't harbor bacteria.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 3

Shun Cutlery Classic Nakiri Knife 6.5", Ideal Chopping Knife for Vegetables and All-Purpose Chef Knife, Professional Nakiri Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife

VEGETABLE KNIFE: A traditional Japanese-style vegetable knife, the Shun Classic 6.5-inch Nakiri Knife is a favorite of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts for preparing fruits and vegetables.
STRAIGHT BLADE: The straight blade, edge, and spine make this Japanese knife perfect for simple push cuts. The blunt end makes it extra safe to use.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this cooking knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, doesn't harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 4

Shun Cutlery Classic Paring Knife 4", Small, Nimble Cooking Knife for Peeling, Coring, Trimming and More, Precise Cutting Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife

PARING KNIFE: Add an essential kitchen tool to your collection with the Shun 3.5-inch Classic Paring Knife. Peel and core fruits and vegetables with ease.
SMALL, NIMBLE KITCHEN KNIFE: This small knife gives you complete control over the tip and edge of the blade – making it perfect for peeling, trimming, coring, decorating and other detail work.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this chef knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, doesn't harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 5

Shun Cutlery Classic 8 Piece Student Knife Set, Kitchen Knife Set with Knife Roll, Includes 8" Chef's Knife, 3.5" Paring Knife, 6" Utility Knife and More, Handmade Japanese Kitchen Knives

EVERYTHING YOU NEED: The Shun Classic 8-Piece Student Set is the perfect gift for students heading to culinary school. The sturdy Shun 8-Slot Knife roll is perfect for transporting their knives from place to place.
SET INCLUDES: This professional knife set comes with the Classic 8" Chef's Knife, 3.5" Paring Knife, 6" Utility Knife, 6" Boning/Fillet Knife, 9" Bread Knife, 9" Hollow-Ground Slicing Knife, Combination Honing Steel, and 8-Slot Knife Roll.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, Classic knives are corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handles are durable, beautiful, don’t harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 6

Shun Cutlery Classic Chef's Knife 8”, Thin, Light Kitchen Knife, Ideal for All-Around Food Preparation, Authentic, Handcrafted Japanese Knife, Professional Chef Knife

JAPANESE CHEF'S KNIFE: The Shun 8-inch Classic Chef's knife is the perfect all-purpose kitchen knife. It's ideal for preparing fruit, vegetables, meat and more.
WIDE, CURVED BLADE: This Japanese kitchen knife has a wide blade that keeps knuckles off the cutting board with a curved belly that can be "rocked" through herbs and spices for a very fine mince.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this chef knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, doesn't harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Bestseller No. 7

Shun Premier 8 Piece Knife Block Set

Shun Premier Knife Set Includes: 4" Paring Knife, 5.5" Nakiri Knife, 6" Gokujo Boning/Fillet Knife, 6.5" Utility/Slicing Knife, 7" Santoku Knife, 8" Chef's Knife, 9" Combination Honing Steel & 8 Slot Beechwood Knife Block
VG-MAX steel core, Damascus clad with 34 micro-layers on each side of SUS410/SUS431 stainless steel; full tang;Rockwell Hardness: 60-61; hand-sharpened Japanese double-bevel blade angle 16° (each side)
Hammered Tsuchime finish, helps release the food from the blade easily when slicing
Contoured walnut PakkaWood handle accommodates right and left-handed users
Handcrafted in Seki, Japan with a limited lifetime warranty; hand wash with gentle dish soap

Bestseller No. 8

Shun Cutlery Premier Grey Chef's 8”, Thin, Light Kitchen Knife, Ideal for All-Around Food Preparation, Authentic, Handcrafted Japanese Knife, Professional Chef Knife

JAPANESE CHEF'S KNIFE: The Shun 8-inch Premier Grey Chef's knife is the perfect all-purpose kitchen knife. It's ideal for preparing fruit, vegetables, meat and more.
WIDE, CURVED BLADE: This Japanese kitchen knife has a wide blade that keeps knuckles off the cutting board with a curved belly that can be "rocked" through herbs and spices for a very fine mince.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus with a hammered TUSCHIME finish, this knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
BEAUTIFUL, DURABLE HANDLE: The stylish, grey, contoured Pakkawood handle resists moisture, is comfortable to use, and offers precise control.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

SaleBestseller No. 9

Shun Cutlery Classic Blonde Chef's Knife 8”, Thin, Light Kitchen Knife, Ideal for All-Around Food Preparation, Authentic, Handcrafted Japanese, Professional Chef Knife

JAPANESE CHEF'S KNIFE: The Shun 8-inch Classic Blonde Chef's knife is the perfect all-purpose kitchen knife. It's ideal for preparing fruit, vegetables, meat and more
WIDE, CURVED BLADE: This Japanese kitchen knife has a wide blade that keeps knuckles off the cutting board with a curved belly that can be "rocked" through herbs and spices for a very fine mince
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this chef knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge
COMFORTABLE HANDLE: The D-shaped, blonde Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, doesn't harbor bacteria, and comfortable to use for both left- and right-handed users
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty

Bestseller No. 10

Shun Cutlery Premier 5.5", Ideal Chopping Vegetables and All-Purpose Chef, Professional Nakiri, 5.5 Inch, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife

VEGETABLE KNIFE: A traditional Japanese-style vegetable knife, the Shun Premier 5.5-inch Nakiri Knife is a favorite of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts for preparing fruits and vegetables.
STRAIGHT BLADE: The straight blade, edge, and spine make this Japanese knife perfect for simple push cuts. The blunt end makes it extra safe to use.
HIGH-QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus with a hammered TUSCHIME finish, this cooking knife is corrosion and stain resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge.
BEAUTIFUL, DURABLE HANDLE: The walnut-finished, contoured Pakkawood handle resists moisture, is comfortable to use, and offers precise control.
TRADITIONAL, ARTISAN CUTLERY: Inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan, Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

Best Shun Knives Buying Guide

1. Blade material: The most important factor to consider before buying a good butcher’s knife is the blade material. There are mainly three types of butcher’s knives available in the market:

Stainless steel: This is the most common and popular option available. Stainless steel butcher knives are easy to sharpen and maintain. Stainless steel blades are strong and durable. The only drawback of this material is that it tends to stain easily and hence might require frequent cleaning.

High carbon steel: High carbon steel butcher knives are easy to sharpen and maintain. The only drawback of this material is that it tends to rust and corrode easily.

Carbon steel with titanium coating: This is one of the best options available. The titanium coating prevents the steel from rusting and corroding. The only drawback of this material is that it is more expensive than other options.

2. Blade shape: The blade of the butcher knife can be either straight or curved. While butcher knives with a straight blade are easier to use for slicing meat and cutting vegetables, curved blades are better for cutting meat joints.

3. Blade length: The length of the blade can vary. Generally, butcher knives with a long blade are ideal for trimming meat and cutting large pieces of meat. On the other hand, butcher knives with a short blade are easier to maneuver.

4. Overall length: The overall length of the butcher knife can also vary. While short blades are easy to maneuver, long blades are ideal for cutting large pieces of meat.

5. Handle: Good quality butcher knives should ideally have a non-slip and ergonomic handle. This makes it easier to maintain a good grip on the knife while working.

6. Additional features: Some butcher knives come with other features like stamped steel blade for better cutting and chopping. Some butcher knives even come with gut hooks for cutting fish and wild game.

Shun Knives Faqs

1. What are the best shun knives?

The best shun knives are typically the ones that are made with high quality materials and construction.

2. What are the different types of shun knives?

The different types of shun knives are chef’s knives, paring knives, Santoku knives, utility knives, and bread knives.

3. What is the difference between a shun knife and a regular knife?

A shun knife is a Japanese style knife that is made with a harder steel than a regular knife. The steel is also harder to sharpen than a regular knife.

4. How do I care for my shun knife?

Shun knives are made of high-carbon steel and will rust if not properly cared for. To prevent rusting, always wash your knife with warm, soapy water and dry it immediately after use. If your knife does rust, you can remove the rust with a soft cloth and a little bit of elbow grease.

5. How do I sharpen my shun knife?

There are a few ways to sharpen your Shun knife. You can use a honing rod, a sharpening stone, or a professional sharpening service.

Conclusion

There are many great shun knives on the market. Our list of the best shun knives will help you save time researching and choosing the best one for you.