Best Shun Chef Knives of 2025

Rebecca Cantu Avatar
Rebecca Cantu
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2025

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Shun Chef Knives are a top-of-the-line product for any professional or home cook. These knives are crafted with precision and care, using high-quality materials to ensure durability and longevity. The blades are made with a unique combination of high-carbon stainless steel and a Damascus cladding, resulting in a sharp and resilient edge. The handles are ergonomically designed for comfort and control, making them easy to use for extended periods of time. Whether you're chopping vegetables or slicing meat, Shun Chef Knives are the perfect tool for any kitchen.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Shun Classic Chef's Knife 8” Cover #TOP 1
Shun Classic Chef's Knife 8”
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Shun 8-inch Chef's Knife Premier Cover #TOP 2
Shun 8-inch Chef's Knife Premier
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife Cover #TOP 3
Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Shun Chef Knives

#TOP 1

Shun Classic Chef's Knife 8”

DM0706
Black
Shun Classic Chef's Knife 8” Cover
Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, HighQuality Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Classic Chef's Knife 8” is a handcrafted Japanese knife, perfect for all-around food preparation. Its wide, curved blade is ideal for rocking through herbs and spices for a fine mince. Constructed with high-quality VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, this knife is resistant to corrosion and stains. The comfortable D-shaped Pakkawood handle is both durable and beautiful, suitable for both right- and left-handed users.

What We Like
Wide, curved blade to keep knuckles off the cutting board
Comfortable and durable handle suitable for both left- and right-handed users
High-quality construction for resistance against corrosion and stains
#TOP 2

Shun 8-inch Chef's Knife Premier

TDM0706
Brown
Shun 8-inch Chef's Knife Premier Cover
Shun Premier 8" Chef's Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun 8-inch Premier Chef's Knife is a high-quality Japanese all-purpose kitchen knife with a wide, curved blade that can be "rocked" to finely mince herbs and spices. Its VG-MAX cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus with hammered TUSCHIME finish make this knife resistant to corrosion and stains while maintaining a sharp edge. Its contoured Pakkawood handle offers precise control and is comfortable to use. This artisan cutlery is inspired by ancient Japanese traditions and handcrafted by skilled artisans.

What We Like
High-quality construction
Comfortable and precise control with a contoured Pakkawood handle
Corrosion and stain-resistant with a strong, razor-sharp edge
#TOP 3

Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife

VB0706
Black
Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife Cover
Shun Sora 8" Chef's Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG10 Steel Edge and 420J Stainless Steel Blade, Balanced Handle, Gyuto-Style Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Cutlery Sora Chef's Knife is a gyuto-style Japanese kitchen knife that is perfect for preparing meat, vegetables, fruit, and more. The San Mai edge construction uses VG10 steel for a corrosion-resistant, razor-sharp cutting edge supported by 420J stainless steel on the blade upper. The full-tang handle is made of a textured PP/TPE polymer blend to provide an easy-to-maintain, contemporary look and offer a strong, secure, balanced grip. This traditional, artisan cutlery is handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

What We Like
Less curved blade contacts cutting board along more length for more efficient cutting
San Mai edge construction provides a razor-sharp cutting edge
Full-tang handle made of textured polymer blend offers strong, secure, and balanced grip
Handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty
#TOP 4

Shun Kanso Chef's Knife 8”

SWT0706
Silver
Shun Kanso Chef's Knife 8” Cover
Shun Kanso 8" Chef’s Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, AUS10A Stainless Steel Blade, Tagayasan Handle, Gyuto-Style Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Kanso Chef's Knife 8” is a Japanese gyuto-style kitchen knife, perfect for a wide variety of cutting tasks. The knife has a wide heel with a fairly flat profile making it perfect for push cuts and a little bit of belly so it can be "rocked" through herbs and spices. The blade is made of AUS10A high-carbon stainless steel refined with Vanadium, which is strong, corrosion-resistant, wear-resistant and razor-sharp. The full-tang handle construction is made with contoured tagayasan, known as "iron sword wood," which is dense, durable, beautiful and offers a secure grip with precision balance. Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

What We Like
Razor sharp blade
Full-tang handle construction offers precision balance
Handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty
#TOP 5

Shun Classic Hollow Ground Chef's Knife 8”

DM0719
Black
Shun Classic Hollow Ground Chef's Knife 8” Cover
Shun Classic 8" Hollow Ground Chef's Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, HighQuality Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Classic Hollow Ground Chef's Knife 8” is the perfect all-purpose kitchen knife for preparing fruit, vegetables, meat, and more. It features hollow grounds on the blade that help food release more easily and create air pockets that reduce friction. This Japanese knife is constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, making it strong, corrosion and stain-resistant with a razor-sharp edge. The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, comfortable for both left- and right-handed users, and doesn't harbor bacteria. Shun knives are handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

What We Like
High-quality construction with VG-MAX cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus.
Hollow grounds on the blade to help food release more easily and reduce friction.
D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, and comfortable for both left- and right-handed users.
#TOP 6

Shun Cutlery 8-inch Classic Western Cook's Knife

DM0766
Black
Shun Cutlery 8-inch Classic Western Cook's Knife Cover
Shun Classic 8" Western Cook’s Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, High Quality Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Cutlery 8-inch Classic Western Cook's Knife is a versatile kitchen knife perfect for all-around food preparation. With a 22-degree cutting angle, it offers additional strength for tackling heavier foods like winter squash and large heads of cabbage. The high-quality construction features Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding for a strong, corrosion-resistant, stain-resistant, razor-sharp edge. The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, comfortable for both left- and right-handed users, and doesn't harbor bacteria. Handcrafted by highly skilled artisans, this knife is a traditional, artisan cutlery inspired by the traditions of ancient Japan.

What We Like
Versatile and ideal for all-around food preparation
22-degree cutting angle offers additional strength for tackling heavier foods
High-quality construction with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding for a strong, corrosion-resistant, stain-resistant, razor-sharp edge
D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, beautiful, comfortable for both left- and right-handed users, and doesn't harbor bacteria
Handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty
#TOP 7

Shun Classic Kiritsuke Knife 8”

DM0771
Black
Shun Classic Kiritsuke Knife 8” Cover
Shun Classic 8" Kiritsuke Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Master Chef’s Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Classic Kiritsuke Knife 8” is a versatile master chef's knife that excels at all-around food preparation. Its slightly curved edge works well with rocking cuts and it can handle julienning, dicing, and brunoising vegetables with ease. The knife is constructed with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX cutting core and clad in 68 layers of stainless Damascus, which makes it strong, corrosion-resistant, and stain-resistant. The D-shaped, ebony-finished Pakkawood handle is durable, comfortable to use, and doesn't harbor bacteria. This traditional, artisan cutlery is handcrafted by highly skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

What We Like
Versatile master chef's knife
Strong, corrosion-resistant, and stain-resistant
Durable, bacteria-resistant Pakkawood handle
#TOP 8

Shun Kazahana 8" Chef Knife

GPT0706
Ebony
Shun Kazahana 8" Chef Knife Cover
Shun Kazahana 8" Chef’s Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, AUS10A Stainless Steel Blade, Pakkawood Handle, Gyuto-Style Chef Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Kazahana Chef Knife is a versatile tool designed for various kitchen tasks, from slicing vegetables to mincing herbs. Its elegant design and premium materials enhance both aesthetics and performance in your kitchen. With a razor-sharp AUS10A stainless steel blade, you can expect precise cuts every time, making meal prep easier and more efficient. The comfortable Pakkawood handle ensures a secure grip, allowing you to maintain control whether you're left or right-handed. Plus, the handle's unique features, like a bottle opener, add extra convenience for your cooking adventures.

What We Like
Versatile kitchen tool
Razor-sharp precision
Comfortable grip
Elegant design
#TOP 9

Shun Premier Kiritsuke Knife 8”

TDM0771
Brown
Shun Premier Kiritsuke Knife 8” Cover
Shun Premier 8" Kiritsuke Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Master Chef’s Knife for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Premier Kiritsuke Knife is a must-have for all-around food preparation tasks. With a slightly curved edge, it juliennes, dices or brunoises vegetables with ease and is an excellent choice for cleaning and portioning boneless proteins. The knife's VG-Max cutting core and 68 layers of stainless Damascus cladding provide a strong, razor-sharp 16-degree edge that is corrosion and stain-resistant. The beautiful, durable handle is made of contoured Pakkawood and offers precise control. The knife is handcrafted by skilled artisans to produce blades of unparalleled quality and beauty.

What We Like
Top cutting performance and versatility
Strong, razor-sharp 16-degree edge
Durable and comfortable Pakkawood handle
Corrosion and stain-resistant
Handcrafted by skilled artisans

Shun Kanso Asian Utility Knife 7"

SWT0767
Silver
Shun Kanso Asian Utility Knife 7" Cover
Shun Kanso 7" Asian Utility Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife Ideal for Stir Fry, AUS10A Stainless Steel Blade, Tagayasan Handle, Precision and Sharpness for Professional and Home Chefs

The Shun Kanso Asian Utility Knife 7" is a multi-purpose knife perfect for precise cuts. This knife is adept at processing quantities of vegetables for stir fry and thinly slicing meats. The full tang construction provides balance and strength, while the blade is made of Japanese AUS10A steel that takes and retains a razor-sharp edge. The handle is made of Tagayasan wood, notable for its denseness, durability, and beauty, angled for a chef's grip and precision cutting. The 16-degree cutting angle on each side is razor-sharp and cuts cleanly, preserving food's freshness and best taste. Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy that means "simplicity," achieved by eliminating the non-essential.

What We Like
Multi-purpose knife perfect for precise cuts
Full tang construction provides balance and strength
Blade made of Japanese AUS10A steel takes and retains a razor-sharp edge
Handle made of Tagayasan wood, notable for its denseness, durability, and beauty
16-degree cutting angle on each side is razor-sharp and cuts cleanly, preserving food's freshness and best taste
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do chefs use Shun knives?

Many chefs prefer Japanese brands like Shun and Kamikoto, made from high-quality steel. Some others opt for high-quality stainless-steel knives from famous French and German brands like Wüstoff and Henckels.

2. Are there better knives than Shun?

Both Wusthof and Shun blades are incredibly durable and known for their long-lasting edge retention. However, Wusthof blades are technically more durable while Shun's hold their edge better.

3. What knives does Gordon Ramsay give his chefs?

Chef's knife is the backbone of every professional chef and will speed up a chef's progress. Gordon Ramsay uses both Wüsthof and Henckels branded knives; the brands are known for quality products, and they are two of the best knife manufacturers in the world.

Editor's Notes

During our Shun chef knives research, we found 24 Shun chef knives products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 30,171 customer reviews through our big data system to write the Shun chef knives list. We found that most customers choose Shun chef knives with an average price of $137.38.

The Shun chef knives are available for purchase. The top 10 picks range in price from a low of $75.00 to a high of $209.00, find the one that fits your budget. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 580 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Rebecca Cantu Avatar

Rebecca Cantu grew up in a family-owned retail store for home and kitchen products. She worked online and gave assistance to people to buy ideal products for their sweet home after graduating from Northwestern University with a marketing degree. She has been writing content for online shopping guides since 2011 with her professional knowledge and natural sensitivity of appliances.