Knives

The Shun Premier 4-Piece Steak Knife Set is for hosts who want the knife on the table to match the steak on the plate. A razor-sharp fine edge glides through the meat and cuts fewer of its fibers, so more of the juices stay inside the steak rather than running onto the plate. Because the edge is not serrated, it slices cleanly instead of tearing, and it is easier to re-sharpen when the time comes. The 5-inch blades are long enough for the largest steak, yet short enough for close control. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish gives each knife the signature Shun Premier look and helps food release. The set of four suits a small dinner party and arrives in a box suitable for gift-giving or storage.
FeaturesFine, non-serrated edge: A clean edge slices rather than tears, so each cut stays neat and the meat stays juicy.Edge retention at the table: Ceramic and glass plates are extremely hard on knife edges, and VG-MAX steel holds its edge for a very long time even with repeated contact against a plate.VG-MAX cutting cores: Shun’s proprietary steel resists wear and corrosion and holds a fine, keen edge.Hammered tsuchime finish: The hand-hammered surface helps food release and gives the set its distinctive appearance.Contoured walnut PakkaWood handles: The handles offer comfort and control and resist moisture.Gift box: The presentation box makes the set ready to give and doubles as storage.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 for every knife in the set.
Tasks It Handles WellCutting steaks and chops at the tableCutting roast chicken, pork, and lambServing grilled and barbecued meats
Choosing a Shun Premier Table SetTo carve the roast before it reaches the table, pair this set with the Shun Premier 2-Piece Carving Set, whose slicing knife and fork share the same finish and handle. Learn More

The Shun Premier 5.5-inch Nakiri is a traditional Japanese vegetable knife designed for clean, efficient, and beautiful vegetable preparation. The name "Nakiri" translates to "leaf cutter," reflecting its purpose. The blade features a straight edge and a squared-off tip, a shape designed to make full contact with the cutting board in a simple push-cut motion, ensuring that vegetables are cut completely through without needing to be pulled or torn apart. This design is ideal for creating extremely thin, uniform slices and makes quick work of everything from leafy greens to root vegetables. The hand-hammered finish reduces drag and helps food release from the blade, while the wide, flat surface is perfect for scooping and transferring chopped ingredients. It is the ultimate tool for anyone who loves preparing vegetables. This knife is particularly well-suited for tasks such as: Slicing: Creating paper-thin slices of cucumber, zucchini, or onions. Chopping: Effortlessly chopping through dense vegetables like carrots, celery, and potatoes. Mincing: Finely mincing garlic and herbs with a simple up-and-down motion. Julienning: Making precise, uniform vegetable strips for salads and stir-fries. Shredding: Quickly shredding lettuce and cabbage. Learn More

The Shun Premier 5.5-inch Santoku offers the renowned versatility of a Santoku in a more compact and nimble size. Perfect for those with smaller hands or who find a larger chef's knife unwieldy, this knife excels at a wide array of small to medium-sized prep tasks. Like its larger counterparts, "Santoku" translates to "three virtues," signifying its proficiency in slicing, dicing, and mincing. Its shorter blade length provides exceptional control and maneuverability, making it ideal for precise cuts. The hand-hammered finish on the blade creates small air pockets, which help reduce drag and allow food to release more easily during chopping. This is a fantastic all-purpose knife when you don't need the length of a full-sized Santoku or chef's knife. This knife is particularly well-suited for tasks such as: Dicing: Preparing smaller vegetables like shallots, garlic, and mushrooms. Slicing: Making clean cuts through herbs, small fruits, and boneless proteins. Mincing: Finely chopping ginger, herbs, and other aromatics. Precise Cuts: Trimming vegetables or creating fine garnishes where control is key. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6-inch Chef's Knife offers the classic versatility of a chef's knife in a more compact and agile size. An essential for any kitchen, this all-purpose blade is designed to handle a wide variety of cutting tasks, from slicing and dicing to chopping and mincing. Its smaller size makes it exceptionally nimble and easy to control, perfect for those with smaller hands or for when a larger 8- or 10-inch chef's knife feels unwieldy. The blade has a slight curve, or "belly," which allows it to be gently "rocked" through fresh herbs or spices to produce a fine mince. The hand-hammered finish not only looks beautiful but also helps reduce drag, allowing food to release more easily from the blade. This is the perfect choice for an all-around utility chef's knife that provides both power and precision. This knife is particularly well-suited for tasks such as: Dicing: Preparing onions, celery, and other vegetables. Chopping: Handling a variety of fruits and vegetables. Slicing: Cutting boneless meats, poultry, and fish. Mincing: Finely chopping garlic, herbs, and ginger. Learn More

Conquer Complex Poultry Prep with Surgical Precision When it comes to breaking down poultry, a standard chef's knife or Western boning knife often lacks the rigid authority needed for precision work. The Shun Kanso 5-inch Honesuki is the surgical answer to that problem. Part of the Kanso series—named after the Zen principle of simplicity—this knife strips away unnecessary ornamentation to focus entirely on high-performance meat fabrication. Unlike traditional Japanese Honesukis that often feature a temperamental single-bevel edge, the Kanso version utilizes a versatile 50/50 bevel. This makes it approachable for both left and right-handed cooks while maintaining the terrifyingly sharp edge required to glide through breast meat and separate joint cartilage without chipping. The aesthetic is 'Heritage' by design; the blade features a rustic finish that intentionally hides scratches from heavy use, meaning this knife looks better the more you work it. For the professional line cook or the dedicated home butcher, the Kanso Honesuki doesn't just cut—it communicates. The stiff blade provides immediate feedback when you hit bone, allowing you to pivot around the carcass with zero wasted movement. Whether you are deboning 40 chickens for a dinner service or precisely jointing a single duck for a home feast, this tool transforms a chore into a masterclass in efficiency. Crafted in Seki City, Japan, the Kanso Honesuki is a testament to the fact that sometimes, less is significantly more. By focusing on the purity of the steel and the ergonomics of the grip, Shun has created a boning tool that feels like a natural extension of the hand. Learn More

Heritage Craftsmanship Meets Industrial Utility A compact, maneuverable Santoku designed for effortless vegetable prep and long-term edge retention in demanding kitchens. The Shun Kanso 5.5-inch Santoku is a masterclass in functional minimalism. While larger chef's knives can feel cumbersome during intricate tasks, this 5.5-inch hollow-ground blade offers surgical control for dicing shallots, mincing garlic, and slicing delicate herbs. Forged from highly refined AUS10A Japanese steel, this blade is a high-carbon vanadium stainless alloy that balances extreme sharpness with corrosion resistance. The 16-degree double-bevel edge is hand-sharpened to ensure it glides through produce without bruising. For the professional line cook, the 'Heritage' finish is a massive advantage; it is specifically designed to hide the scratches that naturally occur during high-volume service, maintaining its aesthetic appeal over years of use. The handle is crafted from Tagayasan wood, often called 'Iron Sword Wood' for its incredible density and durability. Riveted to a full tang, it provides a balanced, secure grip that won't fatigue the hand during 40-pound cases of mirepoix. Whether you are a professional needing a quick-action prep tool or a home cook who finds 8-inch blades intimidating, the Kanso Santoku provides a rustic, high-performance solution that outlasts and out-cuts traditional Western alternatives. Learn More

Stripped of Excess, Refined for Performance The Shun Kanso 6-inch Utility Knife (SWT0701) is a testament to the Japanese Zen principle of 'Kanso'—the elimination of clutter in favor of essential function. This is not a safe-queen; it is a dedicated workhorse designed for the rigorous demands of daily food prep. Whether you are processing a mountain of shallots, segmenting citrus for a garnish, or trimming silver skin from a tenderloin, this utility knife bridges the gap between a paring knife and a chef's knife. The 6-inch blade provides enough length for clean, single-pass slices through medium-sized fruits and vegetables, while remaining agile enough for detail work. The standout feature is the AUS10A blade. This high-carbon vanadium stainless steel is refined to an incredibly fine grain, allowing it to take and hold a 16-degree edge that rivals specialty cutlery. The 'Heritage' finish provides a distinct, rustic look that is intentionally designed to hide the micro-scratches that occur during heavy use. Over time, the steel will develop a unique patina, telling the story of your kitchen's history. Ergonomically, the Kanso series favors a traditional feel. The Tagayasan wood handle—known as 'Iron Sword Wood'—is incredibly dense and durable. Its contoured shape fits naturally in the hand, providing a secure grip even during high-moisture tasks. The full-tang construction ensures perfect balance, reducing wrist fatigue during extended prep sessions. Learn More

The Shun Classic 6-inch Boning and Fillet Knife is for cooks whose diets include meat and fish. Its narrow, curved, rigid blade gets in close to the bone for controlled cuts, so it breaks a whole chicken into its individual parts, trims fat and silver skin from beef and pork, and makes cutlets from larger cuts. For fish, the six-inch length glides through the body of the fish to remove bones and skin. It is also the knife that typically pays for itself, because it allows you to buy less expensive cuts that need a little more preparation before cooking. It shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesCurved, rigid blade: The stiff blade holds its line along bone and joints, and the curve follows the shape of the carcass for clean separation.Narrow profile: The narrow blade reduces drag against the meat, so trimming and boning are faster and easier.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel takes an extremely sharp edge that passes through fibrous tissue and silver skin with ease.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 WellBreaking down whole chickens into partsTrimming fat and silver skin from beef and porkRemoving tenderloins and making cutletsFilleting fish and removing skin and pin bonesSeparating meat from bone on roasts and chops
Pairing With Other Shun Classic KnivesOnce a roast or bird is cooked, the Shun Classic 9-inch Hollow Ground Slicing Knife carves it into thin, even slices. For trimming and portioning larger boneless cuts with a longer stroke, the Shun Classic 9-inch Master Prep Knife pairs a long, narrow blade with a kiritsuke-style tip. Learn More

The Shun Classic 5.5-inch Santoku is for cooks who want the versatility of a santoku in a smaller, lighter knife. In size it falls between a paring knife and a full-length santoku, which makes it the natural choice for medium-sized work: slicing carrots and shallots, mincing herbs, and cutting chocolate or butter. Cooks with smaller hands often find that it becomes their everyday knife, and some reach for it in place of a paring knife for board work or for cutting fruit at breakfast. Like every santoku, it is an all-purpose Japanese shape; its name means “three virtues,” often taken to mean meat, fish, and vegetables. It shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesCompact santoku profile: The shorter blade and downturned tip give precise control on the board and keep the knife easy to handle through small and medium tasks.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 carrots, shallots, and small onionsMincing herbs and garlicCutting chocolate and butterCutting fruit for breakfast or snacksSlicing cheese and small boneless proteins
Choosing a Shun Classic SantokuThe Classic santoku is offered in two lengths. The Shun Classic 7-inch Hollow Ground Santoku is the full-sized choice for larger volumes of prep, and its hollow-ground indentations help wet and starchy foods release from the blade. Cooks who prefer a Western profile in a similarly compact size should consider the Shun Classic 6-inch Chef’s Knife, whose curved belly allows a rocking cut. For in-hand peeling and trimming, the Shun Classic 3.5-inch Paring Knife remains the better tool. Learn More