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Shun Classic Knives
The Shun Classic line pairs Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core with 34 layers of stainless Damascus cladding on each side and a D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handle that is comfortable for both left- and right-handed cooks. Each knife is handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, in at least 100 individual steps, and the line offers the widest assortment of blade shapes Shun makes, from chef's, bread, and slicing knives to traditional Japanese forms such as the santoku, nakiri, and kiritsuke. Because every piece shares the same construction and handle, Shun Classic is a practical way to build a matching collection one knife at a time. Hand wash and dry immediately after use. Not sure where to start? Read our Shun Classic Buying Guide.
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Shun Classic 8-inch Western Cook's Knife (DM0766)
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$204.95 -
Shun Classic 9-inch Master Prep Knife (DM0784)
The Shun Classic 9-inch Master Prep Knife is for cooks who want the control of a utility knife with the reach and power of a chef’s blade. Its long, narrow blade and kiritsuke-style precision tip bring agility to a wide range of prep: trimming proteins, portioning vegetables, and slicing fruit. The slightly curved edge glides through ingredients, while the tip handles detail work and controlled cuts. The knife is light for its length, which makes it the one many cooks reach for every day. It shares the construction and handle of the entire Shun Classic line.
FeaturesLong, narrow blade: The nine-inch length completes long slices in fewer strokes, and the narrow profile reduces drag through proteins and produce.Kiritsuke-style tip: The angled tip gives precise control for trimming, scoring, and detail cuts.Slightly curved edge: The gentle curve supports both slicing strokes and controlled cuts on the board.VG-MAX cutting core: Shun’s proprietary steel is resistant to wear and corrosion and holds a long-lasting edge.Stainless Damascus cladding: Layered stainless steel adds stain resistance and reduces drag as the blade passes through food.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.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 WellTrimming fat and silver skin from meatsPortioning vegetables and large fruits such as melonsPrecision slicing of proteins and produceDetail work with the tipSlicing fruit and cheese
Choosing a Shun Prep KnifeThe Shun Classic 6.5-inch Master Utility Knife shares the kiritsuke-style tip in a compact length with a taller heel for knuckle clearance. For a full-height blade at a similar length, the Shun Classic 8-inch Kiritsuke is built for chef’s-knife tasks such as dicing and push cuts. The Shun Classic 6-inch Utility Knife is the shorter, straighter choice for trimming and slicing smaller items. Learn More$219.95 -
Shun Classic 7-inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver (DM0712)
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$289.95
