


How They Are MadeĪll of Shun’s knives, including the Classic and Kanso collections, are handcrafted in Japan and forged, not stamped. Just be careful, as the higher the number on the Rockwell scale, the greater the chance the blade can chip if it isn’t taken care of properly. That produces a durable and long-lasting edge.Īlthough the steel used in Classic blades is known to maintain the edge for slightly longer, you won’t need to sharpen either of these collections often. Shun hardens its blades to a 60-62 on the Rockwell scale. These knives are sharper than most Western blades. This angle provides a razor-sharp edge that will cut evenly through most ingredients with ease. Like most Asian-produced blades and cutlery, both the Shun Classic and Kanso collections are hand-sharpened to an approximate 16-degree angle on each side. Now that you have a thorough understanding of the differences between Shun Classic and Kanso knives, let’s review their similarities. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: Similarities Between Shun Classic and Kanso Any price and availability information displayed on at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Click the product name or price to view more details. These prices are pulled in real-time from Amazon. To get a better idea of how they compare, refer to the pricing chart below. However, the Classic collection is slightly more costly due to its higher-quality steel and iconic Damascus cladding. If you take a look on Amazon or Shun’s website, you’ll quickly note that both the Kanso and Classic collections are expensive. It includes all of the basics but lacks the overall variety of the Classic collection. The Shun Kanso collection, on the other hand, is more limited and only offers about 17 individual knives. That mini-collection features lighter PakkaWood® handles (as opposed to the ebony ones in the traditional lineup).

You’ll find dozens of individual knives and complete knife sets.Īdditionally, the Classic collection includes a sub-collection called the Classic Blonde. Product OptionsĬlassic is Shun’s most extensive collection with over 40 products available, ranging from Chef’s knives to specialized blades, like the Bird’s Beak Paring Knife. Simply put, Classic blades are designed for superior durability, cutting performance, and edge retention.

The key takeaway is that Kanso and Classic blades are high-quality, but the Classic’s Damascus steel combined with the VG-MAX cutting core takes it to another level. The blade is surrounded by softer steel layers that act as a shock absorber and protect the sharp but brittle core. VG-MAX is a proprietary Shun steel with high carbon content for durability, chromium and molybdenum for corrosion-resistance, and tungsten and vanadium for enhanced sharpness and edge retention. Knives in Shun’s Classic collection are forged from 68 individual layers of Damascus steel with a VG-MAX cutting core. It’s rust-resistant, high-carbon steel that provides strong edge retention when sharpened properly. The blades in the Kanso collection are forged from one solid piece of high-grade AUS10A steel. While both the Shun Classic and Kanso collections use high-grade steel in their blades, the construction differs significantly. They are capped with a steel end or “butt” and allow you to easily rock the blade back and forth when mincing fine ingredients such as herbs. In this section, I break down the five key differences between Shun Classic and Kanso kitchen knives.
