Shun Japanese Knives

 

Japanese kitchen knives are greatly appreciated for being extremely durable and this set of Shun knives definitely have the style and characteristics of Oriental kitchenware. Made of two different types of stainless steel, the Shun classic knives are outstanding in quality and yet competitively priced. Customers rate the Japanese knives in this Shun classic set as very well made and robust, versatile and easy to maintain, therefore they are a valuable asset in any kitchen. While several other brands of knives get dull easily and need to be sharpened quite often to remain functional, a Shun knife can work perfectly for months or even years without requiring additional maintenance.

Based on these considerations, we recommend you to read our detailed Shun knives review in order to decide whether these knives are the best kitchen knives for your cooking needs.

Read the rest of the Shun knives review:

Table of Contents (click ahead!)
Knives Included                The Blades                                             The Handles
Extra Accessories             Maintenance Specifications               Customer Reviews
Pros & Cons

Knives Included

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Although some customers hame commented that some additional pieces should be included in this Shun classic set to make it more versatile, you will come to know when you read this in-depth Shun knives review that the three cutting tools in this pack are the best kitchen knives a regular cook would desire, as they’re enough for all kitchen tasks. The cutleries composing this set are:

• An 8-inch Chef’s knife, suitable for just about any kitchen work from mincing garlic and chopping vegetables to slicing large cuts of meat or dicing onions. The particular design and pattern of the blade prevents foods from sticking and creates clean cuts, preventing delicate foods from being crushed.
•  A Utility knife, created for slicing meats and sandwiches, but suitable for slicing fresh tomatoes or potatoes as well. This is one of the most versatile pieces of cutlery in this set, as it can be used successfully for carving turkey, dicing bell peppers, chopping cabbage or peeling apples.
•  A Paring knife, used mostly for trimming, coring and peeling round fruits and vegetables, but also very good for intricate kitchen work like precise carving.

The Blades

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Shun knives are known for their very sharp blades, made of a special combination of materials that enhances the resistance and durability of these cutting tools. According to the manufacturer, the blades of these Japanese kitchen knives have high-carbon VG-10 cores, clad in multiple layers of Damascus stainless steel.

High-carbon VG-10 is a special Japanese steel, relatively easy to sharpen and famous for its edge retention. This property makes it possible for the blades to remain very sharp for years. Also called high speed steel, the V Gold 10 is nothing, but a very strong and hard stainless steel used by many manufacturers in producing precision cutting instruments.

16 layers of Pattern SUS410/SUS431 Damascus stainless-steel are used for cladding the VG-10 cores in these Shun classic knives. This material is resistant to corrosion and very easy to maintain, which increases the strength and flexibility of the cutlery, extending its lifespan. Originally used for making fine swords, Damascus steel is heat forged from two steel alloys. The stainless-steel variant uses two different stainless-steel alloys, so the resulting stainless Damascus is extremely durable and possesses a variety of beautiful patterns.

The Japanese knives in this 6-piece Shun knife set are double-beveled and feature 16 degree cutting angles per side, which is sharper than regular European knives. All the pieces have a wood grain pattern that makes them very stylish while increasing their stain resistance and reducing friction during slicing or cutting.

The Handles

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Japanese kitchen knives are known for their smaller handles and these Shun knives are no exception. Still, unlike most Asian-style cutting tools, the knives in this set have D-shaped handles to provide a better fitting in the palms of the user, a firm grip and extra stability. But it’s not only their design that makes these handles so comfortable.

The material used for these parts is ebony-colored Pakkawood, a unique feature of the Shun Classic series and known for its durability and strength. The Pakawood is made of resin-impregnated hardwood, combining the warmth of traditional Japanese cutlery with the resistance of plastic.

Another distinctive element of the ergonomic handles of these Japanese kitchen knives is represented by the stainless-steel bolster that increases the safety of the cutting items, making them easier to control and more secure to use. A stainless steel end cap provides the finishing touch to the handles, which are available in two shapes: the standard D-shape for right-handed users and the reverse D-shape for left-handed customers.

Extra Accessories

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Besides the three Shun Classic knives, this set comes with a kitchen shears, a sharpening steel and a bamboo storage block. The shears is perfect for opening food packages or snipping herbs, but can also be used for cutting small vegetables or pieces of meat. The sharpening steel is very handy and extremely useful, as you can always have it ready whenever a knife gets dull and needs to be sharpened.

The bamboo storage block has a nice appearance that matches both traditional and modern kitchen designs. Featuring 10 horizontal slots and a special opening for the shears, the Shun knives block protects the blades and keeps the cutting tools properly organized.

Maintenance Specifications

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With regards to the maintenance process of these Japanese knives, it is important to note that the manufacturer recommends weekly honing for maintaining the blades and keeping them pointed; and sharpening whenever needed, using a professional knife sharpener. Although dishwashing is safe, hand washing and drying is recommended for protecting the handles.

Customer Reviews

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With an average rating of 4.8 stars out of a maximum of 5, this Japanese knife set is one of the most appreciated knife sets in its price bracket. Not only the versatility of the cutting tools, but also the attention to details and the durable materials used to manufacture this set definitely make this kitchenware from Shun one of the best choices for regular use.

“These knives are rather pricey compared to most other sets, but I believe it’s certainly well worth  the investment.”

“These knives are very elegant.”

“I liked the unique feel and the look of these knives and my wife loves this set.”

“I bought my set over a month ago and I love them.”

“Well worth the price!”

 

Average Amazon Rating: 4.8

 

Pros & Cons

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Pros:

A much appreciated fact about this Shun Classic set is the lifetime warranty and the lifetime sharpening services offered by the manufacturer. So not only can you have your knives replaced whenever they get damaged without paying extra, but you can also have them professionally sharpened directly by the manufacturers by simply shipping your Japanese kitchen knives to the Shun company.

Another asset of these Shun classic knives refers to the shape of the handles, which are personalized for left- and right-handed users. This type of service isn’t offered by many manufacturers so it’s surely a detail to take into consideration when choosing a knife set for your kitchen.

Cons:

A single Shun knives review found a drawback for this set, this being the reduced dimension of the handles, which can be uncomfortable for individuals with large hands. However, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, as the handles have an ergonomic D-shape that makes them easy to handle and provides a secure grip, preventing them from slipping during use. So this is more a matter of adaptability than a real problem of the Shun knives.

Check current pricing/discounts of the Shun Knife set (Shun Classic):

Shun Knives Features Overview

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