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. Bottom Line: Should You Buy Shun Kanso or Shun Classic Knives?īefore diving into the details, you can use this comparison chart to get a broad overview of Shun Classic and Kanso knives.ĭifferences Between Shun Classic and Kanso.Similarities Between Shun Classic and Kanso.Differences Between Shun Classic and Kanso.

Use the links below to navigate the comparison: So, if you’re in the market for new cutlery but can’t decide between Shun Classic and Kanso, keep reading.

Kanso kitchen knives in terms of design, construction, performance, price, and more. In this review, I compare Shun Classic vs. Shun is known for its handcrafted, high-quality Japanese kitchen knives, and two of its most popular collections are Classic and Kanso.Īlthough these collections share many similarities, they also differ in many areas.

Shun kanso vs premier