Knives

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 Shun Classic Blonde 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the all-purpose knife you will reach for every day, with a light blonde handle that suits brighter kitchens. Its 8-inch blade handles fruits, vegetables, and proteins with equal ease. The wide blade keeps your knuckles clear of the board and doubles as a scoop for moving cut food to the pan, and the curved belly lets you rock the blade to mince herbs and garlic finely. The blade is thinner and lighter than comparable European-style chef’s knives, which keeps it agile and less tiring through long prep sessions. The D-shaped blonde PakkaWood handle suits left- and right-handed cooks equally well.
FeaturesThin, lightweight blade: Less weight in the hand reduces fatigue through extended prep.Wide blade: The blade height gives knuckle clearance on the board and carries cut food to the pan.Curved belly: The rounded edge supports a rocking motion for fine mincing.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.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel supports the core, adds stain resistance, and helps food release from the blade.D-shaped blonde PakkaWood handle: The light-toned handle is comfortable in either hand, durable, and does not harbor bacteria.Full composite tang: The composite construction keeps the knife light and balanced.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 WellDicing onions, carrots, and celeryMincing herbs, garlic, and ginger with a rocking cutChopping cabbage, squash, and other large produceSlicing boneless meat, poultry, and fishMoving cut food from board to pan
Choosing a Shun Classic Blonde KnifeIf you prefer push cuts to rocking, the straight edge of the Shun Classic Blonde 8-inch Kiritsuke suits that style, and the Shun Classic Blonde 7-inch Santoku offers a shorter all-purpose blade. The same knife is available with a traditional ebony handle as the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife. 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

The Shun Classic 7-inch Asian Cook’s Knife is a gyuto, the Japanese counterpart to the Western chef’s knife. Like any chef’s knife, it is an all-purpose blade: it excels with meat and fish and performs equally well on vegetables. Its profile is narrower than a traditional chef’s knife, which makes it lighter and more nimble, yet it still leaves enough height for knuckle clearance on the board. It suits cooks who find a full-size chef’s knife heavy and want one agile knife for most of their prep.
FeaturesNarrow gyuto profile: The slimmer blade is lighter and quicker in hand than a traditional chef’s knife while still clearing the knuckles.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 and portioning boneless meatsCutting fish fillets into portionsSlicing and dicing vegetablesSlicing fruit and cheese
Choosing a Shun Chef’s KnifeFor a wider blade with a more pronounced curve for rocking cuts, the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the traditional Western choice. Cooks who want an even more compact chef’s profile should compare the Shun Classic 6-inch Chef’s Knife. Learn More

The Shun Classic 8-inch Western Cook’s Knife is the Classic chef’s knife built for heavier work. Where the rest of the Shun Classic line uses a fine, acute edge, this knife is sharpened to a less acute angle that gives the edge additional strength for dense foods such as winter squash and large heads of cabbage. A taller blade with a pronounced curve suits cooks who rely on a rocking cut, and the knife keeps the thin blade and construction of the rest of the Shun Classic line. It handles a wide range of daily tasks, from slicing and dicing to mincing.
FeaturesStronger edge geometry: The less acute edge resists damage when cutting through hard, dense produce.Tall, curved Western profile: Generous blade height gives knuckle clearance, and the curved belly supports a smooth rocking motion.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is strong, fine-grained, and resistant to wear and corrosion, and it holds a long-lasting edge.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 WellHalving and cubing winter squashBreaking down large heads of cabbageDicing onions and processing mirepoix with a rocking cutMincing herbs and garlicSlicing boneless meats and cheeses
Choosing a Shun Chef’s KnifeFor finer slicing and precise push cuts, the standard Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife has a more acute edge and a lighter, less curved blade. The Shun Classic 8-inch Hollow Ground Chef’s Knife adds indentations for cooks who struggle with food sticking to the blade. Learn More

The Shun Premier 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the knife you will reach for every day. It is light and agile, and its thinner blade makes it lighter and less tiring to use than comparable European-style chef’s knives, which matters over a long session of prep. The 8-inch length and keen edge handle slicing and dicing across fruits, vegetables, and proteins. The wide blade keeps your knuckles clear of the board and doubles as a scoop for moving cut food to the pan, and the curved belly lets you rock the blade to mince herbs and garlic finely. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesThin, lightweight blade: Less weight in the hand reduces fatigue through extended prep.Wide blade: The blade height gives knuckle clearance on the board and carries cut food to the pan.Curved belly: The rounded edge supports a rocking motion for fine mincing.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 WellDicing onions, carrots, and celeryMincing herbs, garlic, and ginger with a rocking cutChopping cabbage, squash, and other large produceSlicing boneless meat, poultry, and fishMoving cut food from board to pan
Choosing a Shun Premier Chef’s KnifeFor smaller hands or a smaller board, the Shun Premier 6-inch Chef’s Knife is the more compact choice; for large volumes and big produce, the Shun Premier 10-inch Chef’s Knife covers more board per stroke. If you prefer push cuts to rocking, the straight edge of the Shun Premier 8-inch Kiritsuke suits that style. The same length is available with a D-shaped ebony handle and smooth Damascus finish as the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife. Learn More