Shun Classic 8" Review

The Shun Classic 8" has an 8-inch forged steel blade made in Japan. It comes with a Pakkawood handle and a Damascus-patterned blade and weighs 7.4 ounces.

Performance Comparison

Cutting Performance

The Shun Classic comes from the factory exceptionally sharp, and it maintains this sharpness through even the toughest cutting tasks better than any other knife I tested.

With a Rockwell Hardness rating of 60-61, this knife stays sharper for longer, requiring fewer sharpenings over the life of the blade. While our measured HRC value of this steel averaged just 51, the folded layers of steel make it extremely difficult to get an accurate measurement for this particular blade.

This knife performed right near the top of the pack in precision. Shun reports this blade has a 16-degree sharpness angle. Our testers in the GearLab measured it at 13 degrees, which aids greatly in precision cutting tasks.

Making delicate cuts, such as a super fine brunoise or a chiffonade, was a joy to do with this knife, and even our most inexperienced testers found this knife gave them confidence in their abilities.

It was amazing how seldom I had to hone the Shun during testing, and how well it held its edge through a multitude of tests. Although I gave every knife a fresh pass on the steel before each official test (as a matter of protocol), with the Shun, it felt almost unnecessary. From the first cut I made to the last, I noticed very little degradation in the quality of this knife's impressive cutting performance.

Practicality

When it came to real-world use, the Shun proved to be a favorite choice among all of our testers, regardless of experience level. It didn't matter whether they were breaking down a chicken or coring and seeding a jalapeño; the Shun was truly a knife that could handle anything thrown at it.

Its long handle gave me the freedom to experiment with different grips for different situations. With a slightly asymmetrical shape and just the right amount of grip, the Shun proved versatile in its use and trustworthy in its grip.

Despite its polished appearance, when wet, the Pakkawood handle was comfortable and still gave plenty of grip. Even with greasy hands from trimming fat, the Shun Classic stayed put without twisting or slipping.

Ergonomics

The Shun surprised me with how comfortable it was to hold. At first glance, the straight handle looks very basic and uncontoured. However, once I put it to use, I realized how much care had gone into crafting this handle. It is made out of Pakkawood, which is a natural wood fiber impregnated with a resin to make it waterproof, resistant to damage, and extend its life span. I really enjoyed the feel of this handle — it's just as comfortable as an all-wood handle, while still being easy to clean thanks to its water resistance.

The biggest benefit of the Shun's ergonomics is that this knife pleased everyone who used it — expert chefs and novice choppers, left-handed folks, and folks who like to “choke up” on their knife grip. Other knives had at least a few detractors to their handles, but the Shun was truly universally loved by our entire testing team.

Additionally, the knife's 7.4-ounce weight is distributed almost perfectly and balanced enough to feel nimble in your hands while still carrying enough heft for high-intensity jobs.

One quirk worth mentioning is that the handle is not symmetrical and apparently has a slight “D” curve for right-handers. I felt like the curve was subtle enough to be almost unnoticeable, and our left-handed tester could not notice it detracting in any way from their cutting experience.

Build Quality

The Shun's unique look comes from its manufacturing process. It's forged using a method similar to the way samurai swords are made — using many layers of overlapping steel folded and pounded together. These layers combine in unique ways in every knife, so no two knives are alike. Because of this, the Shun is an eye-catcher, whether it's in your hand at a family get-together or displayed proudly on your kitchen wall.

Right out of the box, the Shun Classic was razor sharp. Our test team in the GearLab measured it with a sharpness score of 153 on the BESS scale. This means it's on par with the sharpness of a new razor blade.

The first test I always perform is the “paper test” to assess the factory sharpness, which the Shun passed with flying colors. However, I came to realize that one of the Shun's greatest strengths — the incredibly hard steel (with a 60-61 claimed HRC) used in its blade — can also be one of its few drawbacks.

After weeks of rigorous testing, I discovered a small chip in the blade, which was verified by examining the edge under a microscope. It was small enough that it did not impact normal use, but still not what I hoped for a knife with such a high price tag and an otherwise exceptional performance. That said, Shun offers a free sharpening service (you only pay shipping), and I feel like this helps mitigate the downsides of chipping your blade. But if you tend to be hard on your implements, this may not be the best chef knife for you.

Should You Buy the Shun Classic 8"?

The Shun was one of my favorite knives to test. Months of extensive testing proved that this knife is capable in the hands of every cook at all skill levels. On top of that, its eye-catching looks just beg to be displayed in your kitchen. My only hesitation is recommending this knife to heavy-handed cooks who tend to be tough on their equipment — this delicate blade deserves to be handled with care. But if you want a chef knife that is equal parts culinary delight and conversation piece, this is the knife for you.

What Other Chef Knives Should You Consider?