Do you want Japanese steel in your kitchen that took over 100 different steps to handcraft? If so, keep reading this Shun 8 inch chef knife review.
Sometimes, as a home cook, you buy a piece of equipment that you simply must tell people about. This Shun chef knife fits that bill. It’s that good.
If you’d rather jump parts of this page that you feel are relevant to what you want to know, the below table should help you out. Simply click the section you want to jump to. Simple.
Are Shun Knives Any Good?
Yes, Shun knives are fantastic. They are at the premium end of the quality scale when it comes to chef’s knives.
What sets Shun apart is their attention to detail when it comes to crafting the perfect kitchen knives. As mentioned in the intro, each blade has over 100 individual steps in its creation.
The Shun brand is synonymous with creating knives that combine lightweight precision and stunning aesthetics. The ethos of the company is to bring Japanese quality cutlery to US and European markets.
This is a rare company that honors its tradition while innovating through the use of modern technologies. The result is that Shun has gleaned industry-wide recognition from professional chefs and won dozens of awards.
Which Shun Chef Knife is Best?
The Premier 8-Inch Chef’s Knife is the best Shun chef knife. My answer might be slightly biased seeing as this is the only Shun knife I ever bought but this is a seriously good blade. I’d be shocked if there was a better one.
There are several other categories of Shun chef’s knife, though. And truth be told, I haven’t tried them out.
- The Hakiri range has a light-colored birch wood handle and an interesting blade pattern.
- The Kaji range combines European and Japanese blade-crafting into one knife. The riveted handle is European style but the sharp blade is made using Japanese techniques.
- The Hiro range is distinguished by a charcoal and crimson Pakkawood handle. It looks quite similar to the Premier.
Shun 8 Inch Chef Knife Full Review
It’s worth noting that you can buy this blade in a variety of different sizes depending on what you prefer. You might like an 8-inch chef knife, which is my preferred size.
But you may like something smaller in which case, go for the 6-inch version. If you’d like a bigger one, get the 10-inch chef’s knife. Whatever the case, Shun has your back.
Now, on to the full review.
(A reminder that this website contains affiliate links.)
Pros
The first striking element to this blade is the sheer beauty of it. I love the patterned Pakawood wooden handle; it has a very characteristic traditional Asian design to it.
This handle is reminiscent of some chef knives I’ve seen in the rural areas of Thailand. In Thailand, locals often forge their own chef’s knives with wooden handles. It seems knife craftsmanship is a skill widespread in Asia!
The knives I’ve seen in rural Thailand look far more primitive than this Shun blade, of course, but the basic design is similar.
Aside from the handle being pleasing to the eye, it’s also functionally brilliant. It slots seamlessly into the natural grip of your hand and feels very comfortable there.
Prepping any food is typically a drag, especially if you’re tired after a long day. Even if you’re just cooking out of a love of cooking, it’s not fun to chop onions with an inferior blade. But the Shun 8-inch premier chef’s knife almost makes me look forward to prepping meals!
The blade itself is made from VG-10 stainless steel. This is a Japanese grade of cutlery steel. The Studies and Observations Group categorizes VG-10 as the highest class of stainless steel. The following characteristics of VG-10 make it stand out:
- Superior sharpness
- Excellent edge retention
- Robust Rust Resistance
As is common to premium Japanese kitchen knives, this is a thinner, lighter, and sharper chef’s knife than you’re probably used to. The lighter weight makes it easier to control and less tiring on the hands when doing lots of chopping dicing and slicing.
Another reason this Shun 8-inch chef knife review is so glowing is the design of the blade. I already mentioned the handle is stylish but the blade takes style to the next level.
A beautiful tsuchime finish gives the steel a hammered, patterned texture that makes it look simultaneously intricate and traditional. It looks like something that has had real care put into its crafting. And those dimples you see are indeed genuine hammer imprints.
The embossed Japanese Shun logo on the steel itself looks really eye-catching in my opinion.
Another perk of note that is worth talking about is the free sharpening service. Simply send your blade into Shun and they’ll sharpen it up professionally for you free of charge. This is a really great benefit of buying from a premium company; they tend to go the extra mile.
Cons
With such a gushing Shun 8 Inch Chef Knife review, you might be left wondering if there are any drawbacks. And as with any product, there are a few things to stroke your chin and contemplate.
The first possible drawback is the price. Expect to pay a premium price for this knife. Whether the price is worth it or not is ultimately up to you. You’re talking at least $150.
With free delivery on Amazon Prime, the lowest price is typically available there. Click the below button to be directed to this knife on Amazon.
The second possible drawback is that without proper care, this knife may chip easier than others. More on that below…
User Testimonials
You know what I think, but how about other people who have bought the Shun premier? What’s their verdict?
The following user testimonials are taken from two culinary Facebook groups I’m a part of. I wanted my Shun 8 inch Chef Knife Review to reflect more opinions than just my own!
This first post was made in a cookware group I’m a part of. The girl had bought a chef’s knife for her husband’s 30th birthday as he is a hobby home cook. He seemed delighted with it based on her report.
This guy also seemed delighted with his purchase. The verdict for his Shun 8 Inch Chef Knife was 🔥, and sometimes emojis speak louder than words!
Do Shun Knives Chip Easily?
If you look up the Shun name online, you’ll see some people asking whether the knives chip easily. Others complain that their knife chips easily. The answer is that they don’t chip easily, but they do chip easier than some other brands.
The slightly lower resistance to chipping than other premium brands is a result of Shun using steel with a higher carbon composition. This is something common to Japanese knife-making companies.
The thing is though that premium cutlery requires premium care to keep it pristine. If you want a knife you can rough up and use like a hammer with little maintenance, you might be better off spending less.
If you do want to spend less, I can direct you to my roundup of the best affordable chefs knives.
Taking Care of a Shun Blade
The following tips will help you best maintain the performance and look of your Shun 8-inch Chef’s Knife.
- If you want to maintain your Shun Premier Knife, make sure you sharpen it regularly. In this case, regularly means between once per week to once per month.
- The best way to sharpen the Shun blade is to use a whetstone. If you don’t know what that is, it’s a fine-grained stone that helps sharpen tools. You can get whetstones online.
- Pay careful attention to the cutting surface you use with this chef’s knife. It surprised me when I learned about it, but the cutting surface makes a big difference. A proper soft wood cutting board is crucial.
- Avoid using your knife on any overly hard material like tile, ceramic, or granite. You’ll probably damage it if you do.
- To keep your Shun chef’s knife sparkling and shiny, you must hand wash it using mild soap. Soaps with citrus or other additives can rush the blade.
- As soon as you finish washing the blade, take care to towel dry it thoroughly and immediately. You don’t want to leave any residual water or soap on the handle or blade.
- Store the knife in either a wooden knife block or a sheath. Don’t leave it stored unsheathed inside or outside a drawer.
Final Verdict
The final verdict on this Shun 8 Inch Chef Knife review is that it’s probably the best kitchen knife I’ve ever owned. The looks, sharpness, finish, and obvious care that went into crafting it make it a stand-out option.
If you don’t want one for yourself, this Shun knife would make for a superb gift for someone close to you who enjoys cooking. I personally think it would make for an exceptional wedding gift for a dear friend. It’s premium enough that it’s suitable as a gift for any big occasion.