Shun Premier Knives

The Shun Premier 4-inch Paring Knife handles the small, detailed work that a chef’s knife is too large for. Its thin, lightweight blade and keen edge peel, trim, and make decorative cuts with precision, and it cuts small items such as shallots and garlic cleanly. The compact size gives you close control whether you work in hand or on the board. The contoured bottom of the handle provides a secure grip whether you hold the handle or pinch the blade. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesThin, lightweight blade: The slim blade moves precisely around curves and into tight spaces.Contoured handle: The handle’s shaped underside stays secure in a handle grip or a pinch grip.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.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 WellPeeling apples, pears, and potatoesTrimming and coring strawberries and tomatoesMincing shallots and garlicDeveining shrimp and scoring meatMaking decorative garnishes
Choosing a Shun Premier KnifeFor slicing sandwiches and trimming mid-sized produce, the Shun Premier 6.5-inch Utility Knife adds length without much bulk. To pair it with the knife you will use most, the Shun Premier 2-Piece Starter Set includes this paring knife and the 8-inch Chef’s Knife. Learn More

An in-between sized knife for all those in-between sized tasks is how Shun introduces its 6.5-inch Premier utility knife. It trims green beans and broccoli where precision matters, and Shun also calls it a sandwich knife for slicing deli meats and tomatoes.It is light and nimble, and the hammered Premier finish helps thin slices release. Its narrow blade also makes it a good companion to a Premier santoku or chef’s knife.
Another OptionThe Premier 6.5-inch Master Utility Knife has a taller blade. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6.5-inch Serrated Utility Knife is often called a tomato or sandwich knife, but its edge makes it far more versatile than either name suggests. The blade is serrated at the tip and the heel, with a fine, straight edge in the middle. On the first push or pull, the serrations bite through a firm or slippery exterior; the fine edge then cuts cleanly through the softer interior. The result is a clean slice, without tearing or squashing, through foods that are firm outside and tender inside. It slices sandwich fillings such as meat, cheese, and tomato, and the serrations cut through a finished sandwich in one stroke. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesHybrid edge: Serrations at the tip and heel start the cut through skins and crusts, and the fine center edge finishes it cleanly.Medium-length blade: The 6.5-inch blade gives control on small and mid-sized foods without the bulk of a chef’s knife.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 WellSlicing ripe tomatoes without crushing themSlicing deli meats and cheeses for sandwichesCutting finished sandwiches in halfSlicing citrus, peppers, and plumsSlicing sausages and cured meats
Choosing a Shun Premier Utility KnifeFor an all-plain edge in the same length, choose the Shun Premier 6.5-inch Utility Knife, which suits trimming and fine slicing where serrations would tear. For full loaves and crusty bread, the Shun Premier 9-inch Bread Knife has the length to cross a loaf in long strokes. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6-inch Boning and Fillet Knife is for cooks who break down their own meat and fish. Its narrow, sharp, curved blade works close to the bone to separate meat cleanly, which leaves more of the cut on the plate and less on the carcass. The same blade trims silver skin from a tenderloin or roast and slices even cutlets. At six inches, it is long enough to fillet fish, removing bones and skin in controlled strokes. The narrow profile reduces drag through the meat, and the contoured handle gives a secure grip when your hands are wet. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you work.
FeaturesCurved, rigid blade: The stiff blade holds its line for close, controlled cuts around joints and along bones.Narrow profile: The slim blade reduces drag and moves easily between meat and bone.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 WellBoning chicken thighs and breaking down whole poultryTrimming silver skin from beef and pork tenderloinRemoving fat caps and trimming roastsSlicing cutletsFilleting and skinning fish
Choosing a Shun Boning KnifeThe same blade shape is available with a D-shaped ebony handle and smooth Damascus finish as the Shun Classic 6-inch Boning and Fillet Knife. For portioning and slicing boneless fish after it is filleted, the straight edge of the Shun Premier 8-inch Kiritsuke is a strong companion. Learn More

Shun describes its 5.5-inch Premier santoku as top performance in a smaller, lightweight, multipurpose knife, suited to medium-sized kitchen tasks. It slices baby carrots, dices shallots and cuts cold butter or chocolate, and it moves quickly on a small board.The hammered tsuchime finish on the Premier blade helps food release as you cut, and the layered Damascus cladding gives each knife its rippled look. A contoured walnut-finish handle offers comfort and control. It suits cooks with smaller hands and kitchens with limited board space.
Full-Size SantokuThe Premier 7-inch Santoku handles larger produce. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6-inch Chef’s Knife is for cooks who prefer a shorter, lighter blade. It handles the usual chef’s knife tasks, slicing, dicing, and rocking through herbs, with quick performance and a high degree of control. The compact length suits smaller hands, smaller cutting boards, and cooks who find an 8-inch blade more than they need. The curved belly supports a rocking cut for mincing, and the hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesCompact chef’s profile: The 6-inch blade keeps full chef’s knife versatility in a nimble size.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, peppers, and shallotsMincing herbs, garlic, and gingerSlicing boneless chicken, pork, and fishPrep for one or two people on a small board
Choosing a Shun Premier Chef’s KnifeFor larger produce and bigger batches, the Shun Premier 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the everyday standard. For a compact knife with a straighter edge suited to push cuts, consider the Shun Premier 5.5-inch Santoku. Learn More

Shun describes the nakiri as a traditional Japanese vegetable knife made for precise preparation, and its 5.5-inch Premier nakiri brings that shape to a compact blade. For a push cut, Shun advises moving the blade down and forward with the edge parallel to the board.The squared tip aids balance and control, and the straight edge cuts extremely thin, uniform slices and makes quick work of everything from leafy greens to root vegetables. The wide, flat blade also scoops chopped ingredients from the board to the pan. The hammered tsuchime finish helps sliced vegetables release from the blade, and the walnut-finish handle matches the rest of the Premier line. It is a natural companion to a Premier chef’s knife.
Premier Chef’s KnifeThe Premier 8-inch Chef’s Knife handles meat and general prep. Learn More

The Shun Premier 6.5-inch Master Utility Knife combines the agility of a utility knife with much of the range of a chef’s knife. Its blade is slightly longer and noticeably wider than a standard utility knife, and the extra width at the heel, together with a gently curved belly, lets you rock the blade to mince herbs and garlic. The downturned tip, similar to a kiritsuke’s, is especially durable, and a larger handle gives a more secure grip. The result is a compact knife that covers sandwich and trimming work along with many of the board tasks usually left to a chef’s knife. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesWide heel and curved belly: The added blade height and gentle curve support rocking cuts that a standard utility knife cannot make.Kiritsuke-style tip: The downturned tip is durable and precise for detail work.Larger handle: The fuller handle gives a secure grip for board work.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.Free lifetime sharpening: Shun offers free lifetime sharpening, so the edge can be professionally restored whenever it needs it.
Tasks It Handles WellMincing herbs, garlic, and shallotsSlicing sandwiches, meats, and cheesesTrimming asparagus, green beans, and broccoliDicing small onions and peppersSlicing citrus and tomatoes
Choosing a Shun Premier Utility KnifeFor lighter trimming and slicing with a narrower blade, the Shun Premier 6.5-inch Utility Knife is the more nimble choice. For larger volumes, step up to the Shun Premier 6-inch Chef’s Knife. The same blade shape is available with a D-shaped ebony handle and smooth Damascus finish as the Shun Classic 6.5-inch Master Utility Knife. Learn More

The Shun Premier 7-inch Asian Cook’s Knife is the Japanese equivalent of the chef’s knife, known in Japan as a gyuto. It is an all-purpose blade that excels with meat and fish and works equally well on vegetables. The blade is narrower than a traditional Western chef’s knife, which makes it lighter and more agile in the hand, yet it still leaves enough height for knuckle clearance on the board. The gentle curve along the edge supports a rocking cut, and the pointed tip handles detail work. The hand-hammered tsuchime finish on the Shun Premier blade helps food release as you cut.
FeaturesNarrow gyuto profile: The slimmer blade is lighter and quicker in the hand than a Western chef’s knife of similar length.Knuckle clearance: The blade keeps enough height to keep your knuckles off the board.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 WellSlicing boneless beef, pork, and chickenPortioning fish filletsDicing onions, carrots, and peppersMincing herbs and garlicScoring meat and fine detail work with the tip
Choosing a Shun Premier Chef’s KnifeFor a wider blade with more weight behind each cut, the Shun Premier 8-inch Chef’s Knife is the Western-style option. For a flatter edge suited to push cuts, consider the Shun Premier 7-inch Santoku. The same shape is available with a D-shaped ebony handle and smooth Damascus finish as the Shun Classic 7-inch Asian Cook’s Knife. Learn More