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Shun Classic 8" Review

A beautifully made product that is incredibly sharp, extremely capable in the kitchen, and comfortable to wield
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Shun Classic 8" Review
Credit: Bradley Nichols
Price:  $213 List
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Manufacturer:   Shun
By Bradley Nichols ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Sep 25, 2024
90
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 13
  • Cutting Performance - 30% 9.0
  • Practicality - 30% 9.5
  • Ergonomics - 25% 9.0
  • Build Quality - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Shun Classic 8" is a top-notch chef knife that excels at nearly every task in the kitchen. This Japanese-made blade is one of our favorite kitchen tools and is exceptionally sharp and forged with a beautiful Damascus pattern. Our testing showed it to be an extremely high-performing knife across all tasks and skill levels with few drawbacks. It proved to be well-made and perfectly resistant to most home use, but we would not call this knife heavy-duty, and its brittle blade may chip with heavy-handed use. Overall, the Shun is a knife that will make nearly everyone who uses it fall in love with it. If you are looking for a chef knife that is not only functional but also beautiful to look at (and maybe even display), then this excellent quality knife is our top choice.
REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally sharp
Excellent finishing
Top-tier performance
Real Damascus pattern elevates style
REASONS TO AVOID
High price tag
Thin blade can be brittle under heavy-handed use

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shun classic 8"
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Shun Classic 8"
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Best Upgraded Chef Knife
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Chef Knife
Top Pick Award
Best Chef Knife for Precision Work
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Chef Knife
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Best Chef Knife on a Tight Budget
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Bottom Line A distinctive model that is extremely capable of everything you need it forA weighty and elegant knife, this chef knife is a pleasure to useAn expert's knife that is capable of the finest cutsA fantastic value for an all-around excellent blade, offering great performance at a low costA great value for a solid knife that holds its own against stiff competition
Rating Categories Shun Classic 8" Wusthof Classic 8" Mac Professional Se... Victorinox Swiss Cl... Babish High-Carbon 8"
Cutting Performance (30%)
9.0
9.0
9.5
8.0
7.5
Practicality (30%)
9.5
9.0
8.0
8.5
6.5
Ergonomics (25%)
9.0
9.5
8.0
8.5
5.5
Build Quality (15%)
8.0
9.0
8.5
7.5
4.0
Specs Shun Classic 8" Wusthof Classic 8" Mac Professional Se... Victorinox Swiss Cl... Babish High-Carbon 8"
Reported Blade Bevel Angle 16° 14° 15° 16° 15°
Measured Blade Bevel Angle 13° 15.75° 25° 20° 12°
Reported Steel Hardness 60.5 HRC 58 HRC 60 HRC 56 HRC 55 HRC
Measured Steel Hardness 51 HRC 54 HRC 53 HRC 54 HRC 51 HRC
Measured Factory Sharpness 153 BESS 140 BESS 187 BESS 213 BESS 185 BESS
Country of Origin Japan Germany Japan Switzerland China
Construction Method Forged Forged Stamped Stamped Stamped
Model Tested DM0706 Classic MTH-80 6.8063.20G 8"
Metal Type VG-MAX (propietary) X50CrMoV15 Not specified Not specified 1.4116
Measured Weight 7.4 oz 9.1 oz 6.4 oz 5.7 oz 8.3 oz
Measured Blade Thickness at Spine 1.92 mm 2.60 mm 2.10 mm 2.20 mm 2.00 mm
Full Bolster No Yes No No No
Handle Material Pakkawood Polymer Pakkawood Nylon Polymer
Dishwasher Safe Hand wash only Hand wash only Hand wash only Dishwasher safe, hand wash reccomended Hand wash only
Interesting Features Damascus pattern blade None Dimpled blade None Babish face etched onto handle end

Our Analysis and Test Results

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


shun classic 8" - the shun classic is a top-tier chef knife made with real damascus...
The Shun Classic is a top-tier chef knife made with real Damascus forging methods, resulting in an exceptionally sharp blade that makes quick work of all foods.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

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 we tested.

Steel Properties and Construction Methods
 Reported Steel HardnessMeasured Steel HardnessBlade ConstructionMetal Type
Shun Classic60.5 HRC51 HRCForgedVG-MAX (propietary)
Wusthof Classic58 HRC54 HRCForgedX50CrMoV15
Mac Professional MTH-8060 HRC53 HRCStampedNot specified
Global Classic57 HRC57 HRCStampedCROMOVA 18 (proprietary)
Tojiro VG10 Gyutou59.5 HRC51 HRCStampedVG10 (core steel), 13-Chrome stainless steel (cladding)

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.

Key Cutting Performance Scores
ProductEdge RetentionPrecision
Best54.5
Shun Classic 8\"54.5
Average3.84
Worst2.52

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

Typical chef knives will have a blade bevel angle of 15-20 degrees. A more acute angle (fewer degrees) can aid in cutting through foods more easily but also tends to dull and damage more easily.

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.


One of our favorite features of the Shun during our testing was how seldom we had to hone it and how well it held its edge through our multitude of tests. Although we did give each knife a fresh pass on the steel before each official test, with the Shun, it felt almost unnecessary. From the first cut we made to the last, we noticed very little degradation in the quality of this knife's impressive cutting performance.

shun classic 8" - from slicing limes to breaking down a chicken, the shun does it all...
From slicing limes to breaking down a chicken, the Shun does it all with ease.
Credit: Bradley Nichols

Practicality


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

Key Practicality Test Scores
ProductUnusual CutsBreak Down ChickenWet Handle
Best554.5
Shun Classic 8\"54.54.5
Average43.63.5
Worst222

Its long handle gave our testers 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.

shun classic 8" - the handle may not look all that special, but its uniquely...
The handle may not look all that special, but its uniquely asymmetrical ovoid shape made of Pakkawood maintains grip even with wet or greasy hands and looks good in the process.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Ergonomics


The Shun surprised us with how comfortable it was to hold in the hand. At first glance, the straight handle looks very basic and uncontoured. However, once our testers held it in their hands, they 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. Our testers really enjoyed the feel of this handle. We found it to be comfortable as a natural handle while still being easy to clean and water resistant.

Key Ergonomics Test Scores
ProductComfortBalanceBolster
Best555
Shun Classic 8\"555
Average3.53.53.5
Worst221

The biggest benefit we found with the Shun's ergonomics is that they pleased everyone who used it — expert chefs and novice choppers, left-handed folks, and those 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.

Physical Characteristics
 Measured WeightMeasured Spine ThicknessBolsterHandle Material
Shun Classic7.4 oz1.92 mmPakkawood
Wusthof Classic9.1 oz2.60 mmPolymer
Mac Professional MTH-806.4 oz2.10 mmPakkawood
Global Classic5.9 oz1.83 mmMetal
Tojiro VG10 Gyutou6.8 oz1.90 mmPolymer

One quirk worth mentioning is that the handle is not symmetrical and has a slight “D” curve apparently for right-handers. We felt 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.

shun classic 8" - no matter if we were cutting a chiffonade of herbs or trimming...
No matter if we were cutting a chiffonade of herbs or trimming gristle off a steak, the Shun is easy to wield and well-balanced, making every task that much more pleasant.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

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.

Key Build Quality Test Scores
ProductPaper Slice TestManufacturing Finish
Best55
Shun Classic 8\"55
Average4.24
Worst2.53

Right out of the box, the Shun Classic was razor sharp. We 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.

It's worth noting that any knife can be sharpened to a fine edge if you put in the time and effort. And no knife will retain that edge indefinitely.

The first test we always perform is the paper test to test the factory sharpness, and the Shun passed with flying colors. We found 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.


During our research, we found that the thin, rigid blade meant that chipping was a concern. Sure enough, after our rigorous testing battery, we found our knife did have a small chip in the blade. It was small enough that it did not impact normal use, but still not what we hope 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 we feel 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.

Examining the edge of the super-sharp Shun.
Examining the edge of the super-sharp Shun.
The Damascus pattern on the Shun Classic is from the 64 layers of...
The Damascus pattern on the Shun Classic is from the 64 layers of folded metal forming this blade - not a fake, laser-printed pattern like many knock-off knives.
It's difficult to accurately measure the hardness of the Shun...
It's difficult to accurately measure the hardness of the Shun Classic's steel, as each alternating layer is so thin (and different hardnesses) that standard laboratory equipment shows more of an "average" hardness rather than the functional hardness of any of the layers creating this blade.
We measured, scrutinized, and tested the details of the Shun Classic to learn that it has exquisite craftsmanship in both function and appearance.

Should You Buy the Shun Classic 8"?


Our months of extensive testing showed the Shun to be a knife that pleased every cook at all skill levels and ended up being one of our favorite knives we tested. On top of that, it has eye-catching looks that just beg to be displayed in your kitchen. Our only hesitation in recommending this knife is to those heavy-handed people who like to be tough on their equipment. But if you want a knife that is equal parts culinary delight and conversation piece, and don't mind the high price tag, this is the knife for you.

shun classic 8" - investing in the shun classic can take the place of many...
Investing in the Shun Classic can take the place of many lower-quality kitchen knives, and really adds aesthetic value to your culinary efforts.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Chef Knives Should You Consider?


If you are looking for a high-quality knife that you can bang around and never worry about damaging it, the Wusthof Classic 8" is another great choice. It nearly matches the Shun in its sharpness and precision, and it makes up for its slight decrease in cutting performance with its heavy-duty German construction. The Global 8" is also a great choice if you want a good quality Japanese-made knife with a unique aesthetic for less. There was a lot that we loved about the Global, and we found it to be similar (though slightly inferior) in feel and cutting ability to the Shun.

Bradley Nichols
 

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