When it comes to knives, Shun is a well-known brand. But which Shun knife is the best? So, we’ve compiled a list of the 7 best Shun knives under $500 that you want to have in your kitchen.
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Best Shun Knives of 2024
| # | Preview | Product | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Shun Cutlery Premier 8” Chef’s Knife | Best Overall |
| 2 |  | Shun Sora Chef’s Knife | Best For Pros |
| 3 |  | Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife | Best For Home Cooks |
| 4 |  | Shun Classic 8-Piece Student Set | Best Starter Set |
| 5 |  | Shun Premier 15-piece Knife Block Set | Most Versatile |
| 6 |  | Shun Kanso 6-Piece Block Set; Includes 3.5” Paring Knife | Best Value |
| 7 |  | Shun Sora 6-Piece Block Set Including 3.5-Inch Paring Knife | Best Budget Option |
Why You Should Get Shun Knives
Shun Cutlery is one of the world’s most well-known manufacturers of Japanese-style kitchen knives. They presently sell seven different knife series in the market. Each line varies in terms of quality, price point, and target clients, ranging from the mid-range to the high-end of the kitchen knife.
Shun knives are the most trusted knives among professionals, although there are still other knives on the market.
Only a shun knife can offer this kind of craftsmanship. You are missing out on such a masterpiece if you do not have one in your kitchen.
What to Look for When Buying Shun Knives
What is the most challenging aspect of purchasing a Shun knife? It is selecting the most appropriate knife from their series. So, before you go out and buy one, think about these factors.
Type of Knife
Shun’s knife series include anything from chef’s knives to paring knives and everything in between. What kind of knife are you looking for? Focusing on the chef’s knife in each set will help you compare and contrast if you’re just getting started. They’re the most highly tuned knives in each series, and they’re a perfect representation of what you can expect from each blade style.
Blade
Any knife’s blade material is only as good as the material used to make it, and Shun’s knives excel in this regard. You’ll note that the price of each Shun knife series is equal to the steel quality used in its blade.
The Sora series, which is the cheapest, is made mainly of stainless steel with a sharper VG10 steel edge. The Dual Core series is more expensive, combines two high-quality steel in a long forging process to create the sharpest and most lasting blade conceivable.
Handle
Look for handles made of Pakkawood, which have a combination of high-quality plastic and wooden grain. The handle must provide adequate ergonomic support, making the knife simple to wield without putting too much strain on the wrist.
Bolster
Because the Shun brand is Japanese, all of their knives are guaranteed to have bolsters. The bolster is the upper section of the knife that provides support. You should look for a bolster that isn’t too heavy and evenly distributes the knife’s weight.
Tip
While choosing the best knife for your kitchen, think about what you want to do with it first. If you’re going to achieve a fine cut or deboning, you’ll need a knife with a fine pointed tip, but if all you want to accomplish with your Shun knife is slicing, a pointed tip isn’t as vital.
7 Best Shun Knives Under $500 Product Reviews
Here are the reviews of the best Shun knives under $500:
Check out the video below!
1. Best overall: Shun Cutlery Premier 8” Chef’s Knife
If you’re looking for the best overall knife for everyday use. Then this Shun Premier series knife is the ideal choice for you.
It is a chef’s knife that serves as all-purpose cutlery. It’s an eight-inch knife used for various tasks such as slicing, chopping, dicing, and more.
The layered Damascus steel makes it highly durable. The hand-hammered finish ensures long-term use while also making the knife more visually appealing.
The Highlights:
Pros
+ It has a misty finish
+ The handle is made of Pakkawood
+ Constructed with 37-layers of Damascus steel
Cons
– The handle feels hard to hold
– It can chip easily if not handled well
– The handle might be uncomfortable for big hands
2. Best For Pros: Shun Sora Chef’s Knife
This is Shun’s best knife for pros if you want to take your knife to the next level. This knife is one of the most popular among professionals.
The high-carbon VG10 steel, which makes it incredibly sharp and light. With cutting-edge technology that maintains its sharpness. Two portions are secured and put together after the edge is laser cut.
Pros
+ The cutting edge is angled for cutting precision
+ It has a VG10 core for long-lasting edge retention
+ The handle is made with TPE polymer for optimum balance and comfort
Cons
– It is not dishwasher safe
– The blades might need constant sharpening
– Not for beginners because it is so thin and can break easily
3. Best For Home Cooks: Shun Classic 8” Chef’s Knife
We always have that one knife that we use every day in our kitchen. This Shun knife from the classic series is ideal for home cooks.
Shun Classics are the first knives in the Japanese style to be made available to a wider public. The VG10 stainless steel’s toughness makes the blade thinner, lighter, and sharper. It’s easy to control and handle because it has a thin blade.
Pros
+ Versatile enough for everyday use
+ It is made of VG-MAX steel with extra tungsten for a sharper edge
+ The handle provides a comfortable grip with a D-shape made of Pakkawood coated with resin
Cons
– It needs extra care to avoid chipping
– It is very lightweight, it may not be suitable for hard skin vegetables
– Even it is dishwasher safe, it might get dull if you wash it with a dishwasher
4. Best Starter Set: Shun Classic 8-Piece Student Set
Are you just beginning to build your knife skills? Then this Shun Classic set is the one for you.
This Shun Classic set includes all of the knives you’ll need in class, as well as a durable knife roll for easy transport and storage. The blades are incredibly light and thin, far exceeding your expectations. Its handle allows you to have more control and precision.
Pros
+ It comes with a sharpening rod for easy sharpening
+ It comes with eight essential kitchen knives for starters
+ Made of VG-MAX blade steel with 68 micro-layers of Damascus cladding
Cons
– The tip of the knives may bend easily
– The bag may rip off because of the sharpness of the knives
– Not ideal for professional cooks who need more specialty knives
5. Most Versatile: Shun Premier 15-piece Knife Block Set Shun Premier 15-piece Knife Block Set
Different tasks require various knives. Shun Premier’s set gives you a lot of selections of knives.
It’s a 15-piece set of knives with a VG-Max core and 34 Damascus steel micro-layers. The blades with a hammer finish have reduced cut drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade. It will provide you with everything you need to complete any kitchen task.
Pros
+ Well-balance knives with Pakkawood handles
+ It comes with 15 different knives that are reliable with a wide range of task
+ Hammered finish to prevent the food from sticking from the blade when slicing
Cons
– Blades are prone to chipping
– The blades are thin and fragile
– The block that comes with the set may not fit perfectly with the knives
6. Best Value: Shun Kanso 6-Piece Block Set; Includes 3.5” Paring Knife
Shun knives are reasonably costly, but they are of the highest quality. However, this Shun knife set provides the best value for your money.
This brand’s Kanso series is a solid mid-range alternative for both home cooks and professionals. It also includes honing steel for maintaining the sharpness of your blades. The full tang characteristics ensure that the knife is well-balanced.
Pros
+ It comes with a knife block and a honing steel
+ The blades are made out of high-carbon stainless steel
+ It has a full-tang construction for more strength and balance
Cons
– Not dishwasher safe
– The handles feel a little bit rough
– It requires maintenance to keep its sharpness
7. Best Budget Option: Shun Sora 6-Piece Block Set Including 3.5-Inch Paring Knife
Are you looking for a more affordable Shun knife? Then this Shun Sora set is the best budget option.
The blades have a VG10 core, which boosts corrosion resistance and keeps the cutting edge smoother. The elegant bamboo block catches the eye at first, but the high-quality, premium stainless steel knives it conceals are even more appealing. Even with a plastic handle, they provide a secure hold for the user.
Pros
+ It comes with a bamboo block
+ The knife set is full-tang and has excellent edge retention
+ The handles are ergonomically designed that can fit both left and right-handed
Cons
– It has a fragile edge
– The handles are made out of plastic
– The block is large and may take up space on your counter
People Also Ask
Does leaving Shun knives in water dull them?
Don’t leave your Shun knives wet. It’s the same idea: wet knives can rust, so save yourself money and time by drying them out before storing them in the desired storage.
Are Shun knives hand-made?
The knives in the Shun Premier Collection are still made by hand by skilled craftspeople. They look like the knives that were made by hand in Japan in the past. Each blade is made with a VG-MAX core and 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel on both sides. This gives each knife a unique finish.
What type of steel are Shun knives made of?
Shun’s Dual Core series is made with Dual Core steel. The cutting core of Dual Core is made of these two steels, which are layered, welded, and rolled together. VG2 is a Japanese stainless steel with very small grains that is high in carbon and chromium and takes and keeps a very sharp edge.
Conclusion
Shun’s knife series differ in a variety of ways. Especially if you’re looking for the best Shun knives under $500 it can be difficult to choose!
But we recommend the Shun Cutlery Premier 8″ Chef’s Knife if you want the best overall. This knife is not just a chef knife, but it also has many other uses in the kitchen. The layered Damascus steel, so it’ll last a long time.
However, if you’re just getting started with knife skills, the Shun Classic 8-Piece Student Set is best for starters. You can improve your knife skills with the help of this set. It includes six essential knives as well as a knife roll for convenient transport and storage. The blades are incredibly light and thin, exceeding your expectations in every way.
However, most Shun knives are likely to be a little bit pricey compared to other brands. The Shun Kanso 6-Piece Block Set; Includes a 3.5″ Paring Knife is the best value we can suggest. Despite the lower price, the product’s quality is not compromised. The blades are composed of high-carbon stainless steel and are regarded as a good mid-range option for both amateur and professional cooks.
Shun knives are an excellent purchase for your kitchen. They last longer and can help you with the wear and tear that happens in the kitchen daily. It’s also important to know the best way to keep your knives.
So, which Shun knife do you want to have in your kitchen? Let us know what you think in the comments!
