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Shun Kanso Knives
The Shun Kanso line is unlike any other from this maker. Designed with Western Style tagayasan wood handles that have been riveted to a full-tang blade of AUS10 steel, these knives are work-horses that can handle long shifts in busy kitchens. Kanso knives respond well to honing and can be sharpened very easily on stones. These knives are forgiving (read: not likely to chip) and have a very untraditional camber that guides your cutting motion and ensures good form. We highly recommend the Shun Kanso line and feel that it offers excellent performance and value.
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Shun Kanso 6.5-inch Hollow Ground Nakiri
A nakiri is the Japanese vegetable knife, and the 6.5-inch Kanso nakiri has the straight edge and squared tip that make push cuts fast and clean. The flat edge meets the board along its length, so a carrot or a bunch of scallions is cut through completely without rocking.Hollow-ground indentations help sliced vegetables release from the blade, and the tall face carries them to the pan. Shun notes that it also works well as an all-purpose knife. Its solid AUS10A blade is simple to resharpen on a whetstone. Cooks who prep a lot of produce, from vegetarians to stir-fry enthusiasts, will appreciate its speed.
Pair It WithThe Kanso 8-inch Chef’s Knife handles meat and general prep. Learn More$144.95 -
Shun Kanso 5.5-inch Hollow Ground Santoku
The 5.5-inch Kanso santoku is a compact version of the Japanese all-purpose knife, sized for small cutting boards and smaller hands. Its flatter edge favors push cuts through vegetables and boneless meat, and hollow-ground indentations help slices release from the blade.The single-steel AUS10A blade and contoured Tagayasan handle match the rest of the Kanso series. It is a handy second knife beside a chef’s knife, and it is the santoku included in the Kanso 6-piece block set.
Full-Size SantokuThe 7-inch Hollow Ground Santoku adds length and height. Learn More -
Shun Kanso 7-inch Hollow Ground Santoku
A knife of many talents is how Shun describes the santoku, and the 7-inch Kanso version handles all the basic cutting jobs of a home kitchen. It is especially suited to a down-and-forward push cut, with just enough curve along the edge for an occasional rocking cut through herbs.Hollow-ground indentations along the blade help food release, so potato slices fall away cleanly. Its Heritage finish is designed to hide scratches, so the knife keeps its look through years of daily use. Its contoured Tagayasan handle fills the hand comfortably. Cooks who prefer a straight-down chopping motion will find it more intuitive than a curved chef’s knife, and it makes a handsome gift. Seven inches is a useful middle length, with more control than an 8-inch chef’s knife and more reach than a utility knife.
A Smaller SantokuThe 5.5-inch Hollow Ground Santoku suits small boards and smaller hands. Learn More$144.95 -
Shun Kanso 8-inch Chef's Knife
Kanso takes its name from the Japanese design principle of simplicity, and the 8-inch chef’s knife is the series’ all-purpose blade. Shun shapes it for push cuts through vegetables, and the blade can also be rocked gently through fresh herbs.Kanso blades are made from a single steel, AUS10A, a high-carbon stainless refined with vanadium for a fine grain and a keen, durable edge. Shun notes that this mono-construction is easier to maintain than a layered blade. The rustic Heritage finish hides the scratches of daily use, which makes it functionally superior for cooks who dislike the upkeep of polished or Damascus finishes, and the contoured Tagayasan handle, a dense, dark wood, gives a secure grip. For a cook buying a first Japanese knife, it delivers Shun’s edge and craftsmanship in a plain, practical form, and it also suits professionals who want a hard-working blade.
Kanso AlternativesIf you want a showpiece knife for a magnetic rack, the Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife or Shun Premier 8-inch Chef’s Knife may suit you better; the Kanso is built for the cutting board. For a flatter profile, see the 7-inch Hollow Ground Santoku. The Kanso 3-Piece Starter Set includes this knife. Learn More$144.95 -
Shun Kanso 9-inch Bread Knife
The secret is our wide serrations, Shun says of its 9-inch Kanso bread knife. Broad, undulating teeth bite into a hard crust and then glide through the soft crumb, so a sourdough boule or a baguette is sliced without crushing.Shun adds that cakes and pastries benefit from the knife’s smooth cutting as well. The long blade spans a large loaf in one stroke, and the dark Tagayasan handle complements the rustic Heritage finish. Shun’s service hones serrated edges, so the knife can be maintained for years.
Kanso CompanionsAdd the 6-inch Utility Knife for sandwiches and cheese. Learn More$144.95 -
Shun Kanso 6-inch Utility Knife
Shun places its 6-inch Kanso utility knife between a chef’s knife and a paring knife in size, with a narrower, straighter blade. It is the knife for cheese and charcuterie, and it trims a steak or halves a sandwich neatly.It is light and quick in the hand, and the edge stays keen through repeated small jobs. The Kanso starter set includes it alongside the chef’s knife and parer.
Smaller StillFor work in the hand, see the 3.5-inch Paring Knife. Learn More$109.95 -
Shun Kanso 3.5-inch Paring Knife
Shun describes the 3.5-inch Kanso paring knife as exceptionally versatile, named for paring away peels and pits. It handles peeling, coring, trimming and decorating, the detail work done in the hand.The single-steel AUS10A blade holds a fine edge at the tip, and the contoured Tagayasan handle matches the larger Kanso knives. It is part of the Kanso starter set and a sensible first knife to add beside a chef’s knife.
Next Size UpThe 6-inch Utility Knife handles small board work. Learn More$94.95
