Knives

The Shun Classic 6.5-inch Master Utility Knife combines the agility of a utility knife with much of the range of a chef’s knife. Compared with a standard utility knife, its blade is slightly longer and significantly wider, which gives the knuckles clearance above the board and lets a compact knife handle full prep work. Extra width at the heel and a slightly curved belly support a rocking cut for mincing herbs and spices, and the downturned tip, similar to a kiritsuke, is designed to be extra durable. It suits cooks who prefer a shorter knife for bulk prep.
FeaturesWide blade with knuckle clearance: The added height keeps fingers off the board, so the knife can chop and dice like a chef’s knife while staying nimble.Curved belly: The slight curve allows a rocking motion for mincing herbs, garlic, and spices.Downturned kiritsuke-style tip: The reinforced tip is built for durability during detail cuts.Larger handle: The D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle is sized for a secure, comfortable grip, is comfortable in either hand, and does not harbor bacteria.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is strong, fine-grained, and resistant to wear and corrosion, and it holds a very keen edge through extended prep.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports the core, adds stain resistance, and helps food release from the blade.Full composite tang: The composite construction keeps the knife light and balanced.Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan: Each Shun Classic knife requires at least 100 individual steps to complete in Seki City, one of Japan’s most important blade-making centers since the 13th century.Free lifetime sharpening: Shun offers free lifetime sharpening, so the knife can be professionally sharpened by the manufacturer whenever its edge needs restoring.
Tasks It Handles WellMincing herbs and garlic with a rocking cutTopping bell peppers and cutting out the white membraneSlicing mushrooms and halving cherry tomatoesDicing and shredding vegetablesPortioning meats and cheeses
Choosing a Shun Utility KnifeThe narrower Shun Classic 6-inch Utility Knife is better suited to trimming and close work where a slim blade is an advantage. For the same kiritsuke-style tip on a full-size blade, see the Shun Classic 8-inch Kiritsuke, and for a traditional chef’s profile, the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife. Learn More

A utility knife excels at close-to-hand work. Think of things like topping bell peppers and carving out the white membrane for stuffed bells. Slicing mushrooms, halving cherry tomatoes, mincing garlic, etc. The problem with most utility knives is the small amount of knuckle clearance. The Shun Master Utility is basically a small version of a western style kiritsuke. This design provides plenty of knuckle clearance with a flat, razor-sharp cutting edge. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6.5-inch Utility Knife is a versatile, all-purpose blade designed to handle a wide variety of kitchen tasks. Sized between a paring knife and a chef's knife, it is more nimble than a larger knife for trimming and slicing, while offering more length than a paring knife for cutting larger items. This knife is perfectly suited for situations where a chef's knife feels too large. The hand-hammered finish on the blade helps reduce drag, allowing food to release more easily. Its straight blade makes it proficient at slicing, and the pointed tip is useful for detail work. The handle is shaped to provide a comfortable and secure grip for precise control. This knife is particularly well-suited for tasks such as: Slicing: Cutting through sandwiches, meats, and cheeses. Trimming: Preparing vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli. Cutting Produce: Slicing mid-sized fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, shallots, and citrus. General Prep: Handling everyday tasks that require more length than a paring knife. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6.5-inch Serrated Utility Knife is often called a tomato or sandwich knife, but its edge makes it far more versatile than either name suggests. The blade is serrated at the tip and the heel, with a fine, straight edge in the middle. On the first push or pull, the serrations bite through a firm or slippery exterior; the fine edge then cuts cleanly through the softer interior. The result is a clean slice, without tearing or squashing, through foods that are firm outside and tender inside. It slices sandwich fillings such as meat, cheese, and tomato, and the serrations cut through a finished sandwich in one stroke. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesHybrid edge: Serrations at the tip and heel start the cut through skins and crusts, and the fine center edge finishes it cleanly.Medium-length blade: The 6.5-inch blade gives control on small and mid-sized foods without the bulk of a chef’s knife.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel resists wear and corrosion and holds a fine, keen edge.Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports and protects the core.Hammered tsuchime finish: The hand-hammered surface helps food release from the blade while cutting.Contoured walnut PakkaWood handle: The handle offers comfort and control and resists moisture.Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan: Each Shun knife requires at least 100 individual steps to complete in Seki City, one of Japan’s most important blade-making centers since the 13th century.Free lifetime sharpening: Shun offers free lifetime sharpening, so the edge can be professionally restored whenever it needs it.
Tasks It Handles WellSlicing ripe tomatoes without crushing themSlicing deli meats and cheeses for sandwichesCutting finished sandwiches in halfSlicing citrus, peppers, and plumsSlicing sausages and cured meats
Choosing a Shun Premier Utility KnifeFor an all-plain edge in the same length, choose the Shun Premier 6.5-inch Utility Knife, which suits trimming and fine slicing where serrations would tear. For full loaves and crusty bread, the Shun Premier 9-inch Bread Knife has the length to cross a loaf in long strokes. Learn More