Shun Classic Santoku

*Est. $115

Reviewed October 2009

Best Santoku knife

Excellent for thinly slicing vegetables
Extremely sharp

Not as versatile as a traditional chef's knife
Expensive

Where to Buy

for 121.00

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Santoku knives have become huge sellers, and professional and user reviews say the Shun Classic is either the best or one of the best in its class. Even a review at Cook's Illustrated that picks a cheaper knife as best overall refers to the Shun as the "Cadillac" of santokus. These knives differ from traditional knives with a straighter lower edge and more-curved upper edge. Experts say the santoku is not as versatile as the longer traditional chef's knife -- it shouldn't be used to chop through bone, for example, but it's great for cutting vegetables thinly. User reviews warn that the Shun Classic Santoku is extremely sharp and can easily slice through dishrags during cleaning. For those who want traditional knives, reviews are best for the Wüsthof Classic (*Est. $150 for three).

Cook's Illustrated and Fine Cooking magazines and ConsumerReports.org all include the Shun Classic Santoku knife in comparison tests. Reports by The Wall Street Journal and New York magazine feature testing by chefs. Owner reviews at Amazon.com are worth a look because users give some safety lectures.

Where To Buy

Store Rating	Notes	Total Price
13 store reviews	In Stock. Buy now and save 20%!	$124.95	See It
168 store reviews	In Stock. Fantastic prices with ease & comfort of Amazon.com!	$123.95	See It
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Our Sources

1. Cook's Illustrated MagazineDetails/Subscribe

Ten santoku knives are rated. Overall, this is the most detailed review we found of santoku knives.

Review: Do You Really Need a Santoku Knife?, Editors of Cook's Illustrated magazine, July 2004

2. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe

Consumer Reports rates about 50 knife sets, including one that contains the Shun Classic Santoku. The overview is free, but the ratings chart requires a subscription for viewing.

Review: Kitchen Knives: Cutting-Edge Performance, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, June 2009

3. New York Magazine

Chef Masayoshi "Masa" Takayama rates 10 santoku knives, with the Shun Classic winning by virtue of its 32 layers of steel "sharpened to a fearsome edge."

Review: The Subtle Knife, Gillian Duffy, May 14, 2006

4. The Wall Street JournalDetails/Subscribe

Two chefs test five santoku knives here. The Kershaw Shun Classic, with a uniquely shaped handle that makes it easy to grip, receives the highest overall rating.

Review: Making the Cut, Kelly Crow, July 1, 2005

5. Fine CookingDetails/Subscribe

Twenty-five forged knives are included in this test, but no overall favorite emerged. Some Japanese knives are also listed, the Shun Classic among them, though we don't know how many were actually tested.

Review: A Chef's Knife Is Your Most Valuable Kitchen Companion, Maryellen Driscoll, Oct./Nov. 2005

6. Fine Cooking Details/Subscribe

This guide to knife buying lists four favorites among Japanese-style knives but doesn't detail testing. The Shun Classic is "truly comfortable" with "a feeling of substance."

Review: How to Choose a Chef's Knife, Maryellen Driscoll

7. Amazon.com

About 30 owner reviews give the Kershaw Shun Classic chef's knife an extremely high average score. There are no negative reviews, but several warn that extreme care is needed; one says it slices easily through dishcloths.

Review: Shun Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife, Contributors to Amazon.com