Knives

The Ultimate Kitchen Workhorse: The Shun Classic Blonde 7-inch Santoku Experience the grace and power of the Shun Classic Blonde 7-inch Santoku, the quintessential all-purpose kitchen knife. The word "Santoku" translates to "three virtues," a nod to its mastery of slicing, dicing, and mincing. With its straighter edge and versatile shape, this knife is a favorite of chefs worldwide for its precision and ease of use, especially with vegetables. The blade's remarkable performance begins with Shun's exclusive VG-MAX steel core, ensuring a ruthlessly sharp, long-lasting edge. This is clad in 68 layers of Damascus steel, creating a stunning visual pattern that is unique to each knife. This layered finish also helps reduce friction, allowing food to release more easily from the blade for clean, swift cuts. Core Benefits: Versatile Santoku Blade: The 7-inch blade is masterfully designed for the three essential kitchen cuts: slicing, dicing, and mincing. Its shape, with a straighter belly and curved spine, is perfect for rapid, straight-down chopping and smooth slicing. Elite VG-MAX Cutting Core: Shun's proprietary "super steel" is hardened to 60-61 Rockwell for exceptional edge retention, meaning it takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it longer. Stunning Damascus Finish: 68 micro-layers of stainless steel are forged around the core, creating a beautiful, protective, and stain-resistant blade with the signature Shun ripple. This finish aids in food release. Elegant Blonde PakkaWood® Handle: The D-shaped handle is crafted from a durable, water-resistant wood composite in a beautiful light color, providing a comfortable, secure grip for ultimate control. Authentic Japanese Craftsmanship: Handcrafted by blade masters in Seki, Japan, this knife embodies centuries of tradition and is built to be a cherished tool for a lifetime.   Learn More

The Shun Classic 9-inch Bread Knife is for cooks who bake regularly or simply enjoy a slice of sourdough with breakfast. Its wide, low-frequency serrations do a much better job of slicing bread than a straight edge: they provide the bite to saw gently through a crusty loaf without tearing the tender interior, and they work equally well on very soft breads and pastries. The nine-inch blade supports long, full strokes, which reduces compression and keeps each slice clean. After a chef’s knife and a paring knife, a bread knife is one of the most valuable additions to a kitchen, and it shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesWide, low-frequency serrations: Broad, undulating serrations bite into hard crust and then glide through the crumb, so loaves slice cleanly with fewer crumbs and no squashing.Nine-inch blade: The length completes each slice in long, gentle strokes, which protects soft breads from compression.Single-bevel serrated edge: The razor-sharp serrated edge is sharpened on one side for clean, controlled slicing.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is strong, fine-grained, and resistant to wear and corrosion, so the serrations stay sharp over time.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports the core, adds stain resistance, and helps food release from the blade.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.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 WellSlicing crusty artisan loaves and sourdoughSlicing soft sandwich bread and brioche without crushingCutting baguettes and rollsSlicing cakes and delicate pastries
Choosing a Shun Classic Bread KnifeThe Shun Classic 8.25-inch Offset Bread Knife places the handle above the blade, which adds knuckle clearance and positions the hand for a more powerful cut; choose it if you regularly slice large, crusty loaves all the way down to the board. For tomatoes, sandwiches, and other small serrated tasks, the Shun Classic 6-inch Serrated Utility Knife is the more compact tool. Learn More

Effortless Slices, Perfect Crumbs: The Shun Classic Blonde 9-inch Bread Knife Conquer the crustiest artisan loaves and the most delicate cakes with the Shun Classic Blonde 9-inch Bread Knife. This masterfully engineered blade is designed to slice through bread without tearing the tender interior or compressing its delicate structure. Combining breathtaking aesthetics with unparalleled performance, it’s the essential tool for any kitchen that values perfect results. The knife’s secret lies in its unique, wide-set serrations. These low-frequency "scallops" act like a saw, gently gliding through tough crusts with minimal pressure. This clean cut preserves the bread’s texture and produces fewer crumbs than a typical serrated knife. At its core is Shun's elite VG-MAX steel, clad in 68 layers of Damascus steel, ensuring a blade that is not only beautiful but exceptionally sharp and durable. Learn More

The Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the one knife to own if a kitchen can hold only one. Its eight-inch blade covers the full range of daily prep, from fruits and vegetables to proteins, and it is long enough for larger foods without becoming unwieldy. Shun Classic blades are thinner than comparable European-style chef’s knives, which makes this knife lighter and less tiring to use through a long prep session. It is the anchor of the Shun Classic line and the natural starting point for a matching collection. Food & Wine named it the Best High-End Chef’s Knife.
FeaturesWide chef’s profile: The blade height keeps knuckles off the cutting board and makes it easy to carry cut food from board to pan.Curved belly: The gentle curve allows a rocking cut through fresh herbs and spices for a very fine mince.Thin, light blade: Less steel than a typical European chef’s knife reduces fatigue during repetitive cutting.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.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.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 WellDicing onions, carrots, and celeryMincing herbs, garlic, and spices with a rocking cutSlicing and portioning boneless meats and fishSlicing fruits, vegetables, and cheesesTransferring prepped ingredients from board to pan
Choosing a Shun Chef’s KnifeThe Classic chef’s knife is offered in several versions. The Shun Classic 8-inch Hollow Ground Chef’s Knife shares this blade’s dimensions and adds indentations that help food release. The Shun Classic 8-inch Western Cook’s Knife has a taller blade and a stronger, less acute edge for dense foods such as winter squash. For more length and leverage, choose the Shun Classic 10-inch Chef’s Knife, and for a lighter, more nimble blade, the Shun Classic 6-inch Chef’s Knife. Learn More

The Essential Masterpiece for Every Kitchen Elevate your culinary capabilities with the Shun Classic Blonde 8-inch Chef's Knife. As the most indispensable tool in any kitchen, this 8-inch "Gyuto" style knife is designed for total versatility—from heavy-duty chopping of root vegetables to the delicate slicing of proteins. The Classic Blonde series combines Shun's legendary Japanese performance with a modern, clean aesthetic featuring a light-toned Blonde PakkaWood handle. Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, the blade features a proprietary VG-MAX "super steel" core for unparalleled edge retention. This core is supported by 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding, which not only provides a stunning look but also creates a "low-friction" surface for superior food release. The D-shaped handle is ergonomically engineered to fit the palm perfectly, offering the stability and control required for precision work.   Key Features: Proprietary VG-MAX Steel: Shun's exclusive high-performance steel for a razor-sharp, long-lasting 16° edge. Stunning Damascus Cladding: 34 layers on each side (68 total) protect the core and provide a unique, non-stick surface. Durable Blonde PakkaWood: Premium hardwood infused with resin for a moisture-resistant, hygienic, and elegant finish. D-Shaped Ergonomics: Designed for right-handed comfort, providing maximum control and reducing hand fatigue. Japanese Craftsmanship: Every blade undergoes a 100-step handcrafted process in the heart of Japan’s cutlery capital. Learn More

The Shun Classic 10-inch Chef’s Knife is for cooks who prefer a longer blade. The added length provides more cutting leverage, makes larger foods easier to handle, and lets the cook process more product with fewer strokes, such as cutting several carrots at once instead of one. That efficiency is especially valuable in commercial kitchens and for anyone who preps in volume. Even at this length, the thinner Shun Classic blade keeps the knife lighter and less tiring to use than comparable European-style chef’s knives.
FeaturesExtended blade length: More edge per stroke speeds up bulk prep and gives extra leverage through large foods.Wide chef’s profile: The blade height keeps knuckles off the cutting board and makes it easy to carry cut food from board to pan.Curved belly: The gentle curve allows a rocking cut through herbs and spices.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.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.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 WellCutting several carrots or celery stalks in a single strokeLarge batches of diced onions and mirepoixHalving melons, cabbages, and other large produceSlicing large boneless roasts and brisketsChiffonade of greens and herbs
Choosing a Shun Chef’s KnifeFor everyday home prep, the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife is lighter and easier to handle on a smaller cutting board. Cooks who want a long blade with a kiritsuke-style tip may prefer the Shun Classic 8-inch Kiritsuke. Learn More

The Shun Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver is a large, squared knife with a very wide blade, and it serves as the Chinese answer to a chef’s knife. It is especially useful for processing vegetables, particularly large ones such as cabbage, yet it is nimble enough for nearly every kind of cutting and slicing, from fruits and vegetables to a full array of boneless proteins. The cleaver feels solid in hand, but Shun’s thinner blade keeps it easy to control through a long prep session. The broad, flat side of the blade crushes garlic and carries chopped ingredients from board to pan. This is a vegetable cleaver, not a meat cleaver, so it is not made for joints or bones. It shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesVery wide blade: The tall blade keeps knuckles well clear of the board, crushes garlic with the flat, and scoops large piles of prepped food in one pass.Thin cleaver profile: A thinner blade than a meat cleaver gives clean, controlled slices through vegetables and boneless proteins.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.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.Full composite tang: The composite construction keeps the knife balanced despite the size of the blade.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 WellShredding cabbage and lettuceChopping and slicing large vegetablesCrushing and mincing garlic and gingerSlicing boneless meats and fishTransferring prepped ingredients from board to pan
Choosing a Shun Vegetable KnifeThe Shun Classic 6.5-inch Nakiri is the smaller, lighter vegetable knife, with a straight edge suited to push cuts and tap chopping. Cooks who want a wide blade in a more familiar Western shape should consider the Shun Classic 8-inch Western Cook’s Knife, whose stronger edge is built for dense foods such as winter squash. Learn More

The Shun Classic 7-inch Hollow Ground Santoku is a Japanese all-purpose kitchen knife for cooks who want one blade for nearly every cutting job. Like a chef’s knife, it handles vegetables, proteins, and fruit; its name means “three virtues,” which may refer to those three types of food. Its flatter edge and downturned tip suit straight up-and-down chopping and push cuts, and a row of hollow-ground indentations along each side reduces friction so the blade passes through food more easily. When Shun first introduced it, Blade Magazine named it “Kitchen Knife of the Year.” It is the full-sized santoku of the Shun Classic line.
FeaturesHollow-ground indentations: The indentations create small air pockets that reduce friction, so wet and starchy foods such as potatoes fall away rather than clinging to the blade.Santoku profile: The flatter edge keeps more of the blade in contact with the board through push cuts and chopping, while the downturned tip remains easy to control.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.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.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 WellSlicing potatoes, cucumbers, and other wet or starchy vegetablesDicing onions and peppers with push cutsSlicing and portioning boneless meats and fishMincing herbs and garlicSlicing fruit and cheese
Choosing a Shun Classic SantokuFor a smaller, lighter santoku sized for medium tasks and smaller hands, choose the Shun Classic 5.5-inch Santoku. Cooks who prefer a rocking cut will find the curved belly of the Shun Classic 8-inch Hollow Ground Chef’s Knife more natural, with the same food-release indentations. The Shun Classic 7-inch Asian Cook’s Knife offers the same length in a gyuto profile with a pointed tip, and for vegetable-focused prep, the straight edge of the Shun Classic 6.5-inch Nakiri meets the board along its full length. Learn More

The Shun Classic 8-inch Hollow Ground Chef’s Knife is the Classic chef’s knife for cooks whose food tends to cling to the blade. A row of hollow-ground indentations along each side creates small air pockets that reduce friction, so slices of potato, cucumber, and other wet or starchy foods fall away instead of sticking. In every other respect it is used like any chef’s knife, for slicing and dicing small to medium-sized fruits, vegetables, and other foods, and it is a strong choice for a kitchen that will own only one knife.
FeaturesHollow-ground indentations: Air pockets along the blade reduce drag and help food release, which keeps the cut moving cleanly.Wide chef’s profile: The blade height keeps knuckles off the cutting board and makes it easy to carry cut food from board to pan.Curved belly: The gentle curve allows a rocking cut through fresh herbs and spices.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 further assists food release.Hand-sharpened double-bevel edge: The fine, symmetrical edge serves left- and right-handed cooks equally well.D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle: The handle is comfortable in either hand, durable enough for daily use, and does not harbor bacteria.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 WellSlicing potatoes, cucumbers, and zucchiniDicing onions and other vegetablesSlicing boneless meats and fishSlicing soft cheesesMincing herbs with a rocking cut
Choosing a Shun Chef’s KnifeThe hollow-ground model shares its length, height, and handle with the standard Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife, which is slightly lighter and has a smooth blade face. Cooks who often cut dense foods such as winter squash should consider the Shun Classic 8-inch Western Cook’s Knife, which has a stronger, less acute edge. Learn More