In just five short years, Shun knives have gone from nonexistent to top dog among high-end kitchen knives. Their ascendancy has been nothing short of breathtaking and has been met with serial defections from industry household names Henckels and Wusthof.

Their prominence is well deserved. While Global first introduced many Western restaurant workers to high-performing Japanese knives, Shun brought the concept to the mainstream. Shun proved a lot of doubters wrong when it showed that the West was ready for premium knives that were razor sharp and lightweight. Shun knives were more expensive than their predecessors and in need of more preventative maintenance but once amateur chef’s got their hands on them, they never went back. See our article The Rise and Fall of the Great Knife-Makers for more details on this transformation.

Kershaw and Shun

Shun knives are made by Kai Cutlery, a large and well respected Japanese blade-making firm. Kai purchased Kershaw Cutlery in 1978 and formed Kai USA to manufacture and distribute American-made knives. When it became clear that there was a market for high end kitchen knives using age-old Japanese knife-making techniques, Kai was perfectly positioned to lead the charge.

Their Shun Knives were first introduced in 2003 and have since become the knives of choice at such retailers as Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table and Crate and Barrel.

Shun Classic Knives

Shun KnivesAimed squarely at the enthusiast home chef, Shun Classic Knives are the most popular of the Shun lines.

They use a Japanese steel called VG-10, which is much harder and sharper than most European steels. Many people agree that the sharpness, coupled with a lightweight feel and a traditional Western handle makes for an excellent combination.

These knives are not intended to be put in the dishwasher, or to be left soaking in water. The thin, sharp blades can easily be dulled or stained by such use.

The handles are made of pakka wood, a resin-infused hardwood, and given a teardrop shape that allows them to fit comfortably in the hand.

Some will argue that Shun Classic knives are expensive. And it’s true that, with an eight inch Chef’s knife starting in the $100 range, these knives are not for the spendthrift. But Kai felt that premium materials and premium performance demand a premium price. And these knives certainly deliver on that.

Shun Elite Knives

The Shun Elite series is Kai’s second most popular kitchen line. At first glance, they may seem similar to the Classic knives. But there are some important distinctions here. The most important is the steel. Elite knives are made of SG-2, a premium “powdered” alloy.

Powdered steels are created through a unique process that allows uniform distribution of elements throughout the material. This creates a steel that can be made extremely hard and, therefore, sharp.

The handles are pakka wood, similar to the Classic knives. Care and maintenance is similar as well.

Shun Ken Onion Knives

Ken Onion by Shun 8-Inch Chef's KnifeKen Onion is probably the most well-known knife designer alive today. Ken invented “Speed Safe”, a ground-breaking automatic knife-opening mechanism. Ken designed several ground-breaking knives for Kershaw, including the Chive, the Leek and the Blackout.

Ken Onion had no prior experience designing kitchen knives, but agreed to take on the task nonetheless. This inexperience was actually beneficial to Ken as it caused him to question some of the basic assumptions behind kitchen knife design.

His resulting Shun Ken Onion line features a damascus-patterned VG-10 blade, pakka wood handles and, most distinctively, an ergonomic shape designed to limit arm fatigue during long chopping sessions.

Not all are fans of the knives unique shape. Some complain that the ergonomic design works well only for some hand sizes. But many industry professionals swear by them, and they’ve developed quite a significant following.

Shun Steel, Pro 2 and Others

The Shun brand also includes a few lesser-known lines. Shun Steel knives feature a stainless steel handle. Shun Pro knives feature a single-bevel that allows for a narrower edge angle and, therefore, a sharper blade. Shun Pro II features a patterned handle, a slightly thicker blade as well as Shun’s sharpest blade.

Kai also offers budget knives, distributed under the Kershaw Wasabi name.

Where to Buy

Shun knives can be found at many major retailers, including Amazon.com. We’ve written several in-depth reviews of individual Shun items that you might want to check out before purchasing. Those are listed below.


Shun

Shun Bread Knife, Serrated 9 Inch | KAI Premier Tim Malzer TM Kitchen Cutlery from Blade Magazine

From the KAI Shun Premier Tim Malzer line of fine knives, this 9-Inch Shun Premier Bread Knife is the only one...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Utility Slicing Knife by Tim Malzer | Premier Award Winning Kitchen Cutlery w/ Pakkawood Handle

The Shun Premier 6-1/2-Inch Utility Knife from Shun’s Tim Malzer series will find plenty of use in your kitchen with a...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Premier Santoku, Damascus Tsuchime Finish | KAI Forged Kitchen Knife 7 Inch

Now one of the most popular kitchen knife styles in America as well as Japan, the Japanese santoku stepped up several...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Shun Premier Bamboo Knife Block Set | Sharpening Steel, Kitchen Shears, Essential 7 Piece

The Shun Premier Essential 7-Piece Block Set includes four of the most popular kitchen knife styles plus a matching sharpening steel,...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Premier Paring Knife | Kitchen Cutlery Award Winner, Hand Forged 4 Inch

If you like hand-forged knives, the Shun Premier 4-Inch Paring Knife will catch your eye and work better than most custom...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Higo Nokami Steak Knife, Folding | Japanese Executive Cutlery, Locking Blade w/ Pakkawood

The Higo Nokami knife originated in Japan about 150 years ago and probably was the first pocket folder of Japanese design....
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Pro Asian Chef’s Knife Set of 3 | Laurent Gras Signature, Kitchen Cutlery Gift Collection

This set of three professional quality Asian chef’s knives from the Shun Pro series comes in a velvet-lined wooden presentation case....
JT Hats
56 sec read

Shun Ultimate Steak Knife Box Set of 4 | Classic Serrated Damascus Steel w/ Pakkawood Handle

With many of the same good features as the DMS 400 plain-edged steak knives from Shun Cutlery, this Classic DMSO420 Steak...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Classic Steak Knife Set of 4 | Damascus Steel With Gift Storage Box DMS400

These beautiful knives will draw nearly as much attention as a good steak. The DMS400 Classic 4-Knife Set from Shun Cutlery...
JT Hats
58 sec read

Shun Honing Sharpening Steel | Premier 9 Inch w/ Walnut Pakkawood Handle

The Shun Premier 9 Inch Honing Steel matches the appearance and quality of the Shun Premier line chosen as Blade Magazine’s...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Premier Slicing Kitchen Knife, Pakkawood Handle | Best in Blade Magazine By Tim Malzer, 9-1/2 Inch

The perfect knife for precision slicing of meat, fruit, and vegetables, the Shun Premier 9-1/2-Inch Slicing Knife fits the practical work...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Chef’s Knife Of The Year 2010 by Blade Magazine | KAI Premier Damascus 8 Inch TM

From the series voted 2010’s Kitchen Knife of the Year by Blade Magazine, the Shun Premier 8 Inch Chef’s Knife applies...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Shun Classic Asian Knife Set of 2 | Granton Santoku & Paring, VG-10 Cutlery w/ Pakkawood

Adding these two knives to your kitchen lineup could greatly improve the quality of your day. The santoku and paring knife...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Electric Kitchen Knife Sharpener, Black AP0119 | Asian Cutlery Ceramic 16 Degree Bevel Hone

A blend of good ideas and disappointing realities, the Shun APO119 Electric Knife Sharpener seems more suited to cheap cutlery than...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Elite Kitchen Knife Block Set of 9 | Forged Cutlery w/ Pakkawood Handles In Bamboo Storage

The Shun Elite 9-piece block set is a top-quality selection of professional knives which really are beautifully designed. Stylish black pakkawood...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun KAI Kershaw Chef’s Kitchen Knife | Forged VG-10 Damascus Stainless Steel, Classic 6 Inch

With the six-inch Shun/KAI Chef’s Knife, expect the slick performance of a santoku but the familiar style of the standard chef’s...
JT Hats
56 sec read

Shun Bamboo Knife Block for Asian Cutlery | Laminated Non Skid 11

Designed specifically for Shun’s high quality Asian cutlery, the 11-slot bamboo knife block from Shun also accepts a wide range of...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Kitchen Knife Block Set, Damascus Steel | Bamboo Classic VG-10 6 Piece

Shun Cutlery’s Classic six-piece knife block set gives home chefs the best foundation knives for kitchen prep plus a full-sized bamboo...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Paring Knife, Full Tang VG-10 | Damascus Stainless Steel 4 Inch

This four-inch Shun Paring Knife is the all-steel version of one of the best paring knives available today. While the D-shaped...
Ken
1 min read

Shun Damascus Steel Bamboo Knife Block Set | Forged Chef’s Classic 8 Piece

This eight-piece bamboo block set from Shun offers knives from the Shun Classic series, with the focus on chef’s knives rather...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Kitchen Presentation Paring Knife | Fruit Carving Birds Beak 2 1/2 Inch

The Birds Beak Paring Knife from Shun handles difficult tasks many chefs don’t find essential. If your cooking includes sculpted fruits...
JT Hats
57 sec read

Shun Carving Knife & Meat Fork Serving Set, Damascus Steel | Classic 2 Piece in Gift Box

Shun Cutlery’s Classic Carving Set brings that company’s famous VG-10 Damascus style stainless steel to the dinner service. The look is...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Shun Classic Knives Boxed Gift Set | 3 Piece Damascus VG-10 Steel | DMS300

The three Damascus-type VG-10 steel blades in this Shun Classic Gift Box Set may cause you to put aside the knives...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Classic Bamboo Knife Block Set | Asian Damascus Steel Cutlery 7 Piece

The four knives in this Shun Classic 7-Piece Bamboo Block Asian Knife set all feature the Damascus style steel that gives...
JT Hats
1 min read

Shun Utility Knife | Offset Damascus VG-10 | Ken Onion

If you can get past the non-traditional aesthetic, there’s actually a lot to like about this Ken Onion design from Shun....
Mike
41 sec read

Best Carving Knife | Shun Damascus VG-10 Stainless Steel 8 Inch

In my experience, I’ve found little use for the traditional “carving knife”. In my view it’s a specialty knife. I generally...
Mike
42 sec read

Kai USA Shun Classic Vegetable Cleaver | VG-10 Damascus Stainless Steel

Not to be confused with the butcher’s cleaver well known in European kitchens, this Vegetable Cleaver from Shun’s Classic series is...
JT Hats
52 sec read

Shun Pro Deba Slicing Knife | Japanese Cutlery | VG-10 Damascus 6 1/2 Inch

Primarily used for de-boning and slicing raw or cooked meat, fish, and poultry, the Shun Pro Deba knife with a 6...
JT Hats
55 sec read

Shun Ken Onion Japanese Chef’s Knife | VG-10 Damascus Full Tang

Made to Shun’s exacting standards with the same materials as their Classic series, this 4 3/8″ Chef’s Knife follows a design...
JT Hats
54 sec read

Kai USA Shun Classic Boning Filet Knife | Japanese VG-10 Damascus 6 Inch

A part of the Shun Classic series, this boning knife is forged in Shun’s famous Damascus stainless steel, but with a...
JT Hats
56 sec read