Finding the best shun nakiri suitable for your needs isnt easy. With hundreds of choices can distract you. Knowing whats bad and whats good can be something of a minefield. In this article, weve done the hard work for you.
Reviews
1. Shun Classic 5-inch Hollow Edge Nakiri Knife
Feature
Made from VG-10 stainless steel clad with 32 layers of high-carbon stainless steelPatterned, layered surface; stunning look of Damascus steel with added rust resistance
Black laminated PakkaWood D-shaped handle provides maximum comfort
Made in Japan; Lifetime Warranty
Description
Made from VG-10 stainless steel, Shun knives are specially constructed to be harder, less brittle, but also more flexible than traditional steel formulations. The VG-10 core is then clad with 16 full layers of SUS410 high-carbon stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers. These layers not only protect the VG-10, they create an exquisitely-detailed surface reminiscent of Damascus or pattern-forged steel, the kind once used for Samurai swords. As a result, the knives are simply stunning to look at--much like antique Damascus knives but without their tendency to rust. As an additional benefit, the slight patterning helps slice rather than crush delicate foods and keeps cut food from sticking to the blade. This Shun Classic nakiri knife is additionally hollow ground, meaning that the dimples on the side of the blade enhance the sharpness of the edge and improve it's resistance to sticking to food as you slice. Made in Japan.2. Shun Classic 2-piece Asian Chef's Knife & Nakiri Set
Feature
Set Includes Shun Classic 7-inch Asian Chef's Knife & Shun Classic 5-inch Hollow Edge Nakiri KnifeBlade Construction: VG-10 steel core, encased with 32-layer Damascus stainless steel
Rockwell Hardness 60-61
Traditional Japanese blade angle: 16 on each side; full tang, provides strength & balance
Made in Japan, Lifetime Warranty
Description
Shun pronounced "shoon" in Japanese "at the peak of perfection". Each Shun knife is handmade by skilled specialists and requires at least 100 handcrafted steps to complete one knife. Shun Classic knives feature a VG-10 super steel core encased with 32-layers of Damascus stainless steel (16-layers on each side). The Damascus steel supports and protects the core, which provides toughness, and is stain resistant. Each Shun knife provides a Japanese blade angle of 16. You will enjoy the ease of cutting the thinnest slices without bruising or tearing the most delicate foods while prepping; this ensures the ingredients to stay intact, retain flavor, and stay fresh. The blade is complimented by a D-shaped traditional Japanese handle, made out of ebony PakkaWood. Shun offers a full assortment, so you will always find the right knife for the task. Made in Japan; Lifetime Warranty. Handwashing is recommended.3. Kai 6716N Wasabi Black Nakiri Knife, 6-1/2-Inch
Feature
Japanese style nakiri knife, typically used for chopping vegetables quickly and thoroughlyMade with Daido 1K6 high-carbon, stainless steel for superior edge retention
Embellished with the japanese character for wasabi
Blades are bead-blasted to an attractive finish, handle is sturdy, clean polypropylene blend
Hand wash; limited lifetime warranty, made in Japan
4. Shun Classic 6-1/2-Inch Stainless-Steel Nakiri Knife
Feature
6-1/2-inch Nakiri knife for slicing and dicing fruits and vegetablesStainless-steel blade clad with 16 layers to produce rust-free Damascus look
Durable D-shaped PakkaWood handle ensures a firm grip
Comfortable offset steel bolster offers maximum safety; hand wash and dry
Measures approximately 11 by 2 inches; limited lifetime warranty
Description
From the Manufacturer
Shun Classic Cutlery
Why Buy Shun Classic:
Born of the ancient samurai-sword-making tradition and hand-finished for precision and beauty, Shun Classic is an ideal choice for anyone buying their first Japanese knife or 50th. The high-quality line of cutlery makes a worthwhile addition to any chef's arsenal of tools--it's used by professional chefs and home cooks alike. Produced in the widest variety of specialized styles, the Classic line features both traditional European blade shapes and innovative cutting-edge designs.
Shun Classic's amazingly sharp blade is famous for both edge retention and ease of sharpening. Each blade has a core of VG-10 "Super Steel" with a Pattern Damascus cladding of 32 layers of high-carbon stainless steel--16 layers on either side. While the wood grain pattern enhances the knife's beauty, it also adds durability and stain resistance, and reduces friction when cutting.
NSF certified for use in commercial kitchens.
Detailed Features
- Blade core consists of high-carbon VG-10, a Japanese super steel known for its edge retention, allowing the knives to hold their sharp edges for years.
- Blades boast a 16-degree angle, making these the sharpest knives out of the box. This is sharper than traditional European blades, which are usually sharpened to 20-22 degrees.
- Clad with 16 layers of SUS410/SUS431 Pattern Damascus stainless steel on each side for strength and flexibility. This metal is corrosion-resistant and easy to maintain.
- Damascus styling adds to the beauty of the knife while the microscopic air pockets created by the cladding process reduces friction during slicing.
- D-shaped handle fits in the palm and provides comfort and control, keeping the knife's handle secure in the hand during use.
- Available standard in D-shaped handle styles or by special order in reverse D-shaped handle styles.
- Pakkawood handles, made of resin-impregnated hardwood, are NSF Certified for use in commercial kitchens.
- Produced in Seki City, Japan, the capital of samurai sword manufacturing.
- Rockwell hardness rating of 60-61 ensures that it takes and holds its incredibly sharp edge longer.
- Hand wash and dry recommended; limited lifetime warranty.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Material: | VG-10 hardened Japanese steel cutting core, clad with 16 layers of SUS410/SUS431 Pattern Damascus stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers of metal. |
| Bevel: | Double-beveled |
| Cutting angle: | 16 degrees per side (comprehensive angle 32 degrees). This is sharper than European knives, ground to 20-22 degrees per side. |
| Handle Material: | PakkaWood (resin-impregnated hardwood); D-Shaped handle available in right and (by special order) left-handed versions. |
| Sharpening recommendations: | Weekly honing to maintain the blade, sharpening as needed with professional sharpener or Asian-style electric sharpener. |
Professional Manufacturing
5. Shun Pro 6-1/2-Inch Usuba Knife
Feature
6-1/2-inch knife for slicing and peeling vegetables or garnishesGraffiti-etched blade made of pure high-carbon VG10 steel
Traditional Japanese single-bevel edge and hollow-ground back
D-shaped PakkaWood handle; washing by hand recommended
Measures 12 by 4/5 by 2 inches; limited lifetime warranty
Description
A useful addition to any cutlery collection, this versatile Usuba knife by Shun features a substantial blade that measures 6-1/2 inches long. Use the knife for slicing and peeling vegetables or garnishes. It also works well for creating the perfect vegetable slices for sashimi.
Like other knives in the Shun Pro line, the knife features a marvelous graffiti-etched blade made of pure high-carbon VG10 steel, which holds a razor-sharp edge longer than other premium steels. The blade's acid-etched design is slightly different with each style of knife, while consistently and cleverly incorporating the Shun logo neatly into the overall arrangement for a distinct and professional look. The knife also comes equipped with a D-shaped PakkaWood handle for a comfortable, secure grip. Though dishwasher-safe, Shun recommends washing the knife by hand for best results. The knife measures approximately 12 by 4/5 by 2 inches and carries a limited lifetime warranty.
From the Manufacturer
View larger.
Pro Series
Why Buy Shun Pro
For the true Japanese food aficionado, nothing compares to the scalpel-like precision of a single bevel blade. The newly updated Shun Pro line features the same incredibly sharp chisel edges as in the past, combined with D-shaped PakkaWood handles, which lend a secure and comfortable grip. The beautiful graffiti-etched blade is made with high carbon VG10 steel, which takes and holds an edge longer than comparable knives. The blade backs are gently hollow ground, creating an air pocket between the knife and the food being cut, so the knife glides through food with quick precision. For those chefs who are truly into the Japanese method of cooking, the wide Shinogi (or blade bevel) makes sharpening these knives on a whetstone practically effortless. Knife styles in this line include the Deba (a multi-purpose prep knife), the Yanagiba (a long slicing knife perfect for sashimi), and the Nakiri (a vegetable chopping knife). These knives are essential for cooks who are seeking to prepare true Asian cuisine.
NSF certified for use in commercial kitchens.
Key Features
- These knives feature a 1/2-inch wide Shinogi and single-bevel blade design preferred by Japanese chefs, to maintain cutting consistency, a critical element in Japanese cooking
- Traditional Japanese blade design for the ultimate knife connoisseur--single-beveled edge with a hollow ground (or concave ground) back; this means only the cutting edge of the blade touches the food for superior stick resistance and the cleanest cuts
- Constructed of 2.5 mm of pure, high-carbon VG-10 stainless-steel "super steel", composed of carbon, chromium, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, silicon, and vanadium
- Single bevel edge, designed for precision cuts, slices efficiently and stays sharp over time
- These knives can easily be maintained by sharpening on a fine-grit whetstone or through professional sharpening
- Honyaki-style knife construction, consisting of one piece of steel
- Due to the single sided bevel design, Shun Pro knives are best suited for right-handed cooks
- D-shaped Pakkawood handles
- Sharpened using 1000 grit whetstone
- Hand wash and dry recommended; limited lifetime warranty
Highlights
Honyaki Method of Knifemaking
Whereas a knife made by the kasumi method has a cutting core jacketed with another steel, honyaki knives are made from a single piece of steel--usually very hard, high-carbon steel. Honyaki-method knives can be sharpened to an exquisitely sharp edge and retain that edge for a longer period of time.
Because of the hardness of the steel and the precision of the processes needed to "treat" the steel properly, honyaki knives are more difficult to make and more labor-intensive than kasumi knives. As you might expect, this degree of difficulty makes honyaki knives the most prized and most expensive. The Shun Pro line, which features traditional single-beveled Japanese blade styles, is made by this method.
PakkaWood
PakkaWood is a premium handle material made of genuine hardwood impregnated with resin. The resin makes it moisture resistant, strong, and durable. Sanding and buffing brings PakkaWood to a beautiful gloss finish. As with natural wood, no two pieces of PakkaWood are exactly alike.
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Blade Material: | VG-10 hardened Japanese steel, made with 2.5 mm blade stock, brushed for a matte finish. |
| Bevel: | Single-beveled with hollow-ground back. |
| Cutting angle: | 16 degrees (comprehensive angle 16 degrees). |
| Handle Material: | Pakkawood (resin-impregnated hardwood); D-shaped handle, only available in right-handed version. |
| Sharpening recommendations: | Regular sharpening (as needed) with a whetstone. Soak the whetstone for about 20 minutes, set on a damp cloth for stability, and pull the knife's edge across the whetstone at a 16 degree angle. The wide Shinogi (bevel) on the knife can be used as a guide, making it easy to maintain the knife's sharpness. |
Professional Manufacturing
6. Shun TDM0742 Premier Nakiri Knife, 5.5-Inch
Feature
Premier 5.5-inch nakiri knife by shunFeaturing a thin blade perfect for cutting vegetables
Features layered damascus steel with a striking, hand-hammered finish (known as 'tsuchime' in japanese)
Hand-hammered finish reduces drag when cutting, keeping foods from sticking to the knife blade
Premium pakkawood handle nestles comfortably into the curves of the palm and allows for a variety of comfortable and secure grips
Description
Thin and ultra-sharp, the Premier Nakiri knife is perfect for slicing vegetables and fruits paper-thin. This dynamic knife features a 5.5 inch blade that glides through crisp vegetables or delicate fruits like tomatoes like butter. Elegant and beautiful, the Shun Premier line of knives are unlike any knives you've owned. Featuring layered Damascus steel for strength, the hand-hammered finish (known as 'tsuchime' in Japanese) lends not only to the beauty, but creates the hollow-ground feature that reduces knife-drag and prevents food from sticking to the blade. The gorgeous Pakkawood handles in walnut finish are both sleek and stylish, and are shaped to fit the palm of your hand in a variety of secure and comfortable grips. The Shun logo is embossed on the end cap, making these knives beautiful in and out of the knife block. Incredibly thin, sharp blades, stylish finishing details and created in the Japanese styling that Shun is famous for, you know your Premier line of knives will work just as hard as you do in your kitchen, and be around for generations to come. Hand washing recommended; limited lifetime warranty.7. Shun SWT0728 Kanso 6.5-inch Hollow Ground Nakiri Knife
Feature
Kanso Nakiri knife designed for cutting vegetables; features a straight blade to reach the cutting board without a push or pull as with other knivesKanso is a design principle influenced by Zen philosophy; it means "simplicity", but simplicity achieved by eliminating the non-essential
Full tang construction for balance and strength; blade is made of Japanese AUS10A steel-an upper-end, highly refined steel that takes and retains a razor-sharp edge
16-degree cutting angle on each side cuts cleanly and helps preserve food's freshness and best taste; hollow-ground feature provides easy food release
Handle is made of Tagayasan wood (known as iron sword wood) notable for its denseness, durability and beauty; angled for a chef's grip and precision cutting