Shun knives are simply works of art. No wonder the Shun Hikari won the title “2016 Kitchen Knife of the Year” this past weekend at the Blade Awards. So if you’re ready to reach a new level of professionalism and culinary perfection, a Shun knife is the perfect tool to bring into your seasoned kitchen.
Each Shun knife is expertly handcrafted to perfection, by artisans rich with years of experience and deep understanding of the philosophy behind the tool. What makes Shun knives unique? Each knife features the signature Japanese 16-degree blade – German or western-made knives mostly have a 40-44 degree blade. This angle provides a lighter, more delicate cut than western knives.
The History & Philosophy of Japanese Shun Knives
In Japan, the way of the blade is a way of life. This means perfecting each and every blade that is made throughout the country.
Shun knives are just one of the many blades that are handcrafted here. “Shun” in Japanese is pronounced “shoon”, which rhymes with “moon.” The term refers to that elusive, yet very real, time of year when the harvest is at its best – when the fruit is the sweetest, when the vegetables are ripe, fresh and delicious, and when the natural harmony and balance of the seasons come together.
The name of the Shun knife, then, comes from the Japanese culinary tradition of preparing and eating food when it’s the freshest. Quality is the key. This is why each Shun kitchen knife is made to perfection, guaranteed to live up to any kitchen’s demands.
Timeless and Handcrafted to Precision
Much more than a steak knife, each Shun knife is handcrafted to precision and perfection. It is an art form that is taken very seriously throughout Japan to produce the finest of all knife blades.
Carrying on in the spirit of ancient swordsmiths who’d forge Samurai swords, trained and seasoned experts today go through 100 handcraft steps to produce each Shun knife.
As the company says, each knife is a work of art. The edges are incredibly sharp, while the aesthetics are no match for regular kitchen knives.
How Are Shun Knives Made?
Shun knives are made with thicker, more durable steel, which also makes the knives thinner, lighter and sharper than most knives on the market. Advanced and high performance steel is cut and layered into different cones and peaks to create the blade of the knife. Permanently joined together in layers, the blades will never break down. Two steels come together in one blade, providing a stronger cutting edge than single-steel knives.
Genuine, treated hardwoods are used for the handles. This makes them waterproof and more resistant than other types of materials and handles on the market. All of the layers, once fused, are then bead-blasted or acid-etched to provide an intricate detail that isn’t typically found on other kitchen knives.
The Most Popular Shun Knife Sets in Australia
When you’re looking to buy Shun knives in Australia, there are a few lines to choose from. Each has its own unique qualities and handcrafted abilities. Different knives suit different cooks, so choose your knife depending on the particular use that you have for it.
Shun Sora
Easy to clean and maintain, the Shun Sora is the all-around kitchen knife that’s easy to use and cut with. Providing sharp edges and a thick impenetrable blade that’s stain- and rust-resistant, it will quickly become a favourite in your kitchen. A polymer handle provides a light-weight grip for everyday use, or for quick throw-together recipes such as salads.
Shun Classic
The classic lines and edges of the traditional Shun knife come together in the Classic Collection. The Kirituse blade shape is ideal for cutting through many food items, from potatoes to thick steaks, while the multi-purpose blade provides precision and ease. Made from nickel, silver, and stainless steel, the handle is made of PakkaWood and features traditional Micarta decorative laminate to provide a sleek, durable grip.
Shun Blue Steel
The blue carbon steel cutting core makes the Shun knives in the Blue Steel Collection truly stand out. The blades of the knife are made from a mixture of steels that give it this blue color. The grey Pakkawood handle provides a durable grip during chopping.
The Shun Blue Steel Collection offers numerous Shun styled knives that every kitchen needs, from a utility knife to a boning knife and Menkiri knife.
Shun Dual Core
A dual core means a stronger steel knife. What makes the Shun Dual Core collection different is the 71 alternating micro layers of steel it’s constructed with. Mixed between high carbon, high chromium VG10 and VG2 stainless steels, this blade provides maximum cutting power.
The metals are layered and fused slowly together, creating a lightweight, beautiful design that anyone in the kitchen can appreciate.
Shun Kaji
The Shun Kaji Collection has a hollow ground, which makes it lighter to cut with, but also provides a thinner, more delicate edge than other shun knives. The Kaji knives are suitable for either right or left-handed use. Professional and home chefs alike love to use this collection daily.
Shun Professional
For professional-grade power, choosing a Shun Professional Collection knife can be ideal. Constructed in the design of choice for Japanese professional chefs, this line features stainless steel bolsters and end caps, paired with a blade made from cobalt, carbon, manganese, chromium, silicon and vanadium. The ergonomic handle designs provide a comfortable grip, while the edge of the knife smoothly cuts through food.
How to Care for Your Shun Knives
Since Shun knives are handmade, extra care that should be taken when handling them. Hand washing with mild soap and water is recommended. Towel dry your knives with a soft towel and then let the knife air dry before storing it in a Shun knife roll that neatly tucks knives in their own pockets and rolls up to be put away, or a Shun knife holder, a wooden knife block that reduces the risk of corrosion.
Leave Sharpening to the Professionals
Since the blades on all of the Shun knife collections are handmade, forged and beautifully crafted, sharpening them on your own can be risky business. Sharpening a Shun knife should always be done through a professional Shun knife sharpening service. Ask your knife sharpening professional about their services they provide and ensure that they have experience with sharpening Shun knives, not just general knife sharpening.
You could also invest in a set of Shun knife sharpeners that are specifically made for these delicate knives. These sharpeners are known as “Kai sharpeners,” a set of sharpeners specially made for the Shun knives that you own. It is a manufacturer specifically made product that electrically sharpens all Shun knives easily and effectively as an alternative to whetstone sharpeners.
Store Correctly to Keep Your Blade Sharp
Shun knives need to be taken care of, but storage doesn’t have to be difficult. Many of the knives come with storage solutions. With a simple Shun knife roll or Shun knife holder, you can keep your knives in one area, tucked away. Some knives come with sheathes that provide extra coverage when protecting the outside world from the sharp edges that come with these delicate, beautiful knives.
If you would like to keep these high-end knives on the counter, then a Shun knife block provides a safe haven for you to use to tuck the blades away in when your knives are not in use.
Buy Your First Shun Knives and Join the Movement
Shun knives have quickly gained popularity because of their long lasting and corrosion resistant cutting capabilities. What separates Shun knives from other high quality knives on the market?
- Easy to handle
- Blades stay sharp for longer
- The handles are ambidextrous, allowing anyone to use them while in the kitchen
- Ideal for precision work in the kitchen and provides a clean, delicate cut that other kitchen knives can't provide
- Fewer breaks have been reported with Shun knives than other kitchen knives
Choosing a kitchen knife does not have to be difficult with such a wide selection available. Through the use of these knives, expertly crafted food has just become much easier to prepare and serve. Each Shun knife collection comes with its own pros and cons, so do your research before buying a set.
Japanese Shun knives provide the beauty and elegance you want out of a knife, but also the best in cutting capabilities. And it just might be time you add them to your kitchenware toolbox at home.
