Shun Block Sets

About Shun

Shun knives first entered the North American market in 2002, but the company behind them, KAI Group, goes back much further. In 1908, Saijiro Endo set up shop in Seki City—Japan's "City of Blades"—to produce folding knives, then disposable razors, and then kitchen cutlery.

Eventually, Endo's company became known as KAI Cutlery before becoming the KAI Group. Koji Endo, KAI's current CEO and Saijiro's direct descendant, was responsible for bringing KAI's Japanese cutlery to Europe and North America and naming the brand "Shun."

"Shun" is a Japanese word that directly translates to "at the peak of perfection." In the context of food, the exact moment when vegetables are best to eat, fruits are perfectly ripe, and meat is at its most flavorful.

Where are Shun kitchen knife sets made?

Shun knives are handcrafted in Japan by Seki City's skilled artisans. To preserve ancient Seki swordsmiths' tradition of quality, each knife takes 100 handcrafted steps to complete.

What types of knives are included in a Shun kitchen knife set?

A Shun kitchen knives set can include anywhere between 2-9 pieces of knives and accessories, such as:

• Chef's knife: Best for various kitchen tasks, including slicing, chopping, and dicing fruits, vegetables, and meat

• Utility knife: Multi-purpose kitchen knife for tasks like peeling, trimming, and slicing

• Santoku knife: Japanese-style knife with a broad blade for slicing, dicing, and chopping meats, herbs, and vegetables

• Bread knife: Serrated knife for cutting through bread and other baked goods without crushing them

• Slicing knife: A long, slender knife for slicing thin cuts of meat, poultry, and fish

• Fillet knife: A sharp, flexible knife suited for removing fish bones and skin without damaging the flesh

• Boning knife: A kitchen knife designed for removing bones from meat and poultry

• Paring knife: A small knife for peeling, trimming, and slicing small fruits and vegetables

• Honing steel: A tool used to keep knife blades sharp

• Bamboo knife block: Stylish storage solution for your Shun knives, so they're organized and easily accessible

Do chefs use Shun knives?

Yes, many chefs prefer Shun kitchen knives for their sharpness and exceptional performance. Shun offers various knife types and styles, so chefs can choose the best knife for their specific culinary needs.

What is the best kitchen knife set from Shun?

The best Shun knife set is the set that meets your needs and preferences. Some options to consider:

• Shun Classic Essential Block Set: A seven-piece block set that includes a paring knife, a utility knife, a chef's knife, a bread knife, a honing steel, a pair of herb shears, and an 11-slot storage block. Each knife features a VG-MAX steel core, a Damascus pattern, and a black, D-shaped Pakkawood handle.

• Shun Classic Blonde Starter Set: A five-piece set that includes a paring knife, a utility knife, a chef's knife, a honing steel, and a six-slot bamboo block. The knives are made from VG-MAX steel, have a beautiful Damascus pattern from 34 layers of stainless steel on each side, and a full tang wrapped with a light-toned, D-shaped Pakkawood handle.

• Shun Premier Professional Block Set: An eight-piece block set that includes a paring knife, a utility knife, a Santoku knife, a chef's knife, a bread knife, a slicing knife, a honing steel, and an 11-slot storage block. These knives feature a VG-MAX steel core, a hand-hammered look, and a contoured walnut-colored Pakkawood handle.

Does Gordon Ramsey recommend Shun knives?

To be honest, we're not sure. A quick search shows him recommending Wusthof knives. But if there's an equally famous chef that's constantly mentioned alongside Shun, it's Bobby Flay.

What should you not cut with a Shun knife?

Shun kitchen knives can take on various cooking ingredients, including vegetables, fruits, and meat. However, they're not designed to cut through bones, joints, and frozen or hard foods—so don't even try.

Is Shun or Miyabi better?

Comparing top-tier kitchen knives can be tricky.

Shun and Miyabi knives are handcrafted in Seki City, Japan—and therefore bear the hallmarks of ancient Japanese sword-making traditions. Both brands feature high-quality steel, intricate Damascus patterns, and finely honed edges. They're highly regarded by professional chefs and avid cooking enthusiasts for their durability, sharpness, and balance.

To decide which brand works for you, take a look at your needs, budget, and style preferences.

How do I clean my Shun knife set?

Some tips to maintain the quality of your Shun knives:

• Never put them in a dishwasher.

• Handwash your knives with warm, soapy water. Make sure to use gentle dish soap. Avoid bleach or soaps with citrus extracts to prevent rusting.

• Thoroughly dry the knife with a soft, absorbent towel after washing.

• Don't submerge your knife in soapy water for prolonged periods. This can cause rusting, blade dulling, and even accidents. Someone can reach into the water without seeing the knife and accidentally cut themselves.

Do Shun knife sets come with a warranty?

Your Shun Japanese knife set comes with a non-transferable, limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing and material defects. It doesn't cover defects resulting from modification, misuse, abuse, neglect, improper maintenance, or accidents.

Where can I buy a Shun knife set?

Northwest Knives is a trusted distributor of quality kitchen knife sets from reputable knife brands, including Shun, Cangshan, Miyabi, Wusthof, and Steelport. We only carry high-quality knives from brands that are celebrated in the knife-making community.

Shun kitchen knife lines we recommend that you check out:

• Shun Premier Series

• Shun Classic Series

• Shun Classic Blonde Series

Need to connect with our team? Use this contact form or call 208-884-8626.