Shun

Shun Knives

Find high-quality Shun knives at Crate and Barrel. Our collection of individual Shun knives and knife sets contains great choices for experienced chefs, home cooks and kitchen novices alike. Shun has unique blade construction and handles that fit comfortably in your hand. They are available in contemporary textured tsuchime and classic Damascus models. Two series, Shun Classic and Shun Premier, are clad with 34 layers of steel on each side of the blade for exceptional performance when cutting, dicing, chopping, mincing and slicing. Learn about some of the traits that make this incredible series unique.

VG10 and VG-MAX Steel

Our selection of Shun knives is constructed of either VG10 steel or the upgraded VG-MAX steel. The VG10 Sora blades have high density that allows the steel to be tempered to a Rockwell hardness of 61—maintaining the flexibility and strength to take and keep a perfect edge. The Rockwell scale is used to measure the hardness of materials like steel. Quality knife blades typically have a Rockwell hardness of 55-62. VG10's natural tendency is to remain straight and true, so when used, the edge of the blade naturally straightens out and stays sharper longer.

The VG-MAX Classic and Premier blades takes these same qualities and turns them up to 11. Increased carbon improves strength and durability, increased chromium enhances wear and corrosion resistance and increased cobalt improves strength. An extremely fine and sharp edge boosts cutting performance.

The wavy pattern on our Shun blades is known as "Damascus." It is created by cladding (applying) 34 layers of SUS410 high carbon stainless steel that's been pounded to 3/1000th of an inch to each side of a harder steel (VG10 or VG-MAX) core. By making knives combining these steels, Shun creates blades that are strong and stain resistant with an incredible cutting edge that stays sharper longer. This traditional Japanese method was once used to make samurai swords.

Cutting Edge

The cutting edge is ground to an extremely sharp 16-degree angle, typically used for Japanese knives. They are narrower than the best German knives, which are ground to a 22-degree angle. The Japanese steel used in the cutting core allows the knives to hold their razor sharp edges without the need for excessive re-sharpening. Because of the narrower angle, Shun recommends using a Shun Honing Steel designed specifically for their knives once weekly to keep the edges well maintained. When the knife needs sharpening, they offer free sharpening services to help keep blades in pristine condition.

Bead Blasting

Shun bead blasts each blade to bring out the clad construction. Bead blasting is meant to highlight (or expose) the multi-layered Damascus steel. It also creates thousands of little indentations on the blade. This, in turn, creates thousands of little air pockets that reduce the amount of surface area that touches the food and results in less sticking.

D-Handles

Both Classic and Premier handles are made of Pakka wood, a man-made product of real birch wood layered with plastic resin and fused together through high heat. The handles of Kanso blades are made of Tagayasan wood, and Sora handles are polycarbonate. Each fits comfortably in the hand and prevents the blade from twisting and turning for a stable grip when in use.

Use & Care

Shun knives are meant for precision cutting and should not be used on frozen foods or bones. To preserve the blade's sharpness, use a soft wooden cutting board. Other surfaces are not recommended because they will cause the blade to dull more quickly. With proper care, Shun knives will last for a lifetime.

Browse a variety of Shun knife sets and individual knives including utility, paring, santoku, chef's, bread, carving and steak knives. Shop our complete selection of Shun knives and knife sets.

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