Shun Classic is the largest and probably most well-known series of kitchen knives from KAI. The knife here is a 20 cm chef's knife. It is a very versatile knife that can handle most universal needs. Use it for both cutting vegetables and meat. Shun Classic is lighter and has relatively thin blades compared to Western (German and French) kitchen knives, and therefore cuts better. However, it also requires that you be more careful with the use of your knife. KAI (Seki, Japan) 20 cm Chef's knife Stainless 65 layers of steel VG-MAX core 61 HRC D-shaped handle for right-handed users The knife should never be washed in a dishwasher, and should not be used to cut hard objects such as bones, cartilage, frozen objects, or hard cheeses. Remember that it is a characteristic of thin, hard metal that it can break.
Shun Classic is the largest and probably most well-known series of kitchen knives from KAI. The knife here is a 20 cm chef's knife. It is a very versatile knife that can handle most universal needs. Use it for both cutting vegetables and meat. Shun Classic is lighter and has relatively thin blades compared to Western (German and French) kitchen knives, and therefore cuts better. However, it also requires that you be more careful with the use of your knife. KAI (Seki, Japan) 20 cm Chef's knife Stainless 65 layers of steel VG-MAX core 61 HRC D-shaped handle for right-handed users The knife should never be washed in a dishwasher, and should not be used to cut hard objects such as bones, cartilage, frozen objects, or hard cheeses. Remember that it is a characteristic of thin, hard metal that it can break.
Shun Classic is the largest and probably most well-known series of kitchen knives from KAI. The knife here is a 20 cm chef's knife. It is a very versatile knife that can handle most universal needs. Use it for both cutting vegetables and meat. Shun Classic is lighter and has relatively thin blades compared to Western (German and French) kitchen knives, and therefore cuts better. However, it also requires that you be more careful with the use of your knife. KAI (Seki, Japan) 20 cm Chef's knife Stainless 65 layers of steel VG-MAX core 61 HRC D-shaped handle for right-handed users The knife should never be washed in a dishwasher, and should not be used to cut hard objects such as bones, cartilage, frozen objects, or hard cheeses. Remember that it is a characteristic of thin, hard metal that it can break.
Shun Classic is the largest and probably most well-known series of kitchen knives from KAI. The knife here is a 20 cm chef's knife. It is a very versatile knife that can handle most universal needs. Use it for both cutting vegetables and meat. Shun Classic is lighter and has relatively thin blades compared to Western (German and French) kitchen knives, and therefore cuts better. However, it also requires that you be more careful with the use of your knife. KAI (Seki, Japan) 20 cm Chef's knife Stainless 65 layers of steel VG-MAX core 61 HRC D-shaped handle for right-handed users The knife should never be washed in a dishwasher, and should not be used to cut hard objects such as bones, cartilage, frozen objects, or hard cheeses. Remember that it is a characteristic of thin, hard metal that it can break.
Last updated at 07/01/2026 10:53:11
Shun Classic 8" Kiritsuke Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Master Chef
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Knife Kiritsuke 20.3cm Shun Classic, Pakkawood handle
Delivery $40
Shun Classic 8" Kiritsuke | VG-MAX Damascus Steel, Multi-Purpose Blade | Premium Japanese Chef Knife
Delivery $50.49
originally posted on webstaurantstore.com
Bought this as a work anniversary gift for our executive chef and was really excited to gift it to him. It arrived in a beautiful box, packaged well and was a gorgeous knife. Unfortunately, it chipped within the first week of use, and not a small chip. Was a big chip right out of the center of the blade and our chef was using it for just general light prep work. Very disappointed and probably wont be purchasing a Shun knife again unfortunately. The chef knives that are choice brand that webtaurant sells have lasted much longer than this one did. The chef still has it as a memento but doesn't use it all.
originally posted on kitchenessentials.ca
I have only had the chance to use the knife a few times, but it is a dream. I wasn't sure I needed this to add to my knife Shun collection, but so glad I did. Perfectly balanced, and cuts like a razor. The shape feels just like the extension of your hand. Very nice. I would recommend this knife.
originally posted on ebay.com
Just to preface this review; this is the seventh Shun Classic that I own. I am already a big fan of the Shun Classic series. Of the many Shun knives I own that are similar (10" chef, 8" chef, 8" chef with the hollows, 7" santoku) the Kiritsuke falls right in the middle. The point is higher than the santoku but lower and pointier than the chef knives, which goes to say, it is the more universal of the designs. It also has a cut out below the bolster on the blade which allows for a more comfortable choke up grip. I love all my Shuns, but I have to say, this has become my go to favorite, having all the other Shun characteristics that made Shun famous; the D shaped handle, the super sharp Damascus blade, the long lasting edge, and the beautiful workmanship, but with the ... MoreJust to preface this review; this is the seventh Shun Classic that I own. I am already a big fan of the Shun Classic series. Of the many Shun knives I own that are similar (10" chef, 8" chef, 8" chef with the hollows, 7" santoku) the Kiritsuke falls right in the middle. The point is higher than the santoku but lower and pointier than the chef knives, which goes to say, it is the more universal of the designs. It also has a cut out below the bolster on the blade which allows for a more comfortable choke up grip. I love all my Shuns, but I have to say, this has become my go to favorite, having all the other Shun characteristics that made Shun famous; the D shaped handle, the super sharp Damascus blade, the long lasting edge, and the beautiful workmanship, but with the extra comfortable grip. The kiritsuke design was reserved for the master chef in a Japanese kitchen and with every other manufacturer, is by far the most expensive blade in their line up. Shun has produced one in the low $100 level so it is available for us not so master chef of the kitchen to purchase and enjoy!
| Product dimensions | 34.29 x 2.22 x 5.08 cm; 226.8 Grams |
| Blade material | Stainless Steel |
| Handle material | Ebony color PakkaWood |
| Blade edge | Plain |
| Construction type | Forged |
Shun Classic 8" Kiritsuke Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Kitchen Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Master Chef
Free delivery
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a small commission for purchases made through this link at no extra cost to you. This helps support our site. Thank you!
Knife Kiritsuke 20.3cm Shun Classic, Pakkawood handle
Delivery $40
Shun Classic 8" Kiritsuke | VG-MAX Damascus Steel, Multi-Purpose Blade | Premium Japanese Chef Knife
Delivery $50.49
Bought this as a work anniversary gift for our executive chef and was really excited to gift it to him. It arrived in a beautiful box, packaged well and was a gorgeous knife. Unfortunately, it chipped within the first week of use, and not a small chip. Was a big chip right out of the center of the blade and our chef was using it for just general light prep work. Very disappointed and probably wont be purchasing a Shun knife again unfortunately. The chef knives that are choice brand that webtaurant sells have lasted much longer than this one did. The chef still has it as a memento but doesn't use it all.
I have only had the chance to use the knife a few times, but it is a dream. I wasn't sure I needed this to add to my knife Shun collection, but so glad I did. Perfectly balanced, and cuts like a razor. The shape feels just like the extension of your hand. Very nice. I would recommend this knife.
Just to preface this review; this is the seventh Shun Classic that I own. I am already a big fan of the Shun Classic series. Of the many Shun knives I own that are similar (10" chef, 8" chef, 8" chef with the hollows, 7" santoku) the Kiritsuke falls right in the middle. The point is higher than the santoku but lower and pointier than the chef knives, which goes to say, it is the more universal of the designs. It also has a cut out below the bolster on the blade which allows for a more comfortable choke up grip. I love all my Shuns, but I have to say, this has become my go to favorite, having all the other Shun characteristics that made Shun famous; the D shaped handle, the super sharp Damascus blade, the long lasting edge, and the beautiful workmanship, but with the ... MoreJust to preface this review; this is the seventh Shun Classic that I own. I am already a big fan of the Shun Classic series. Of the many Shun knives I own that are similar (10" chef, 8" chef, 8" chef with the hollows, 7" santoku) the Kiritsuke falls right in the middle. The point is higher than the santoku but lower and pointier than the chef knives, which goes to say, it is the more universal of the designs. It also has a cut out below the bolster on the blade which allows for a more comfortable choke up grip. I love all my Shuns, but I have to say, this has become my go to favorite, having all the other Shun characteristics that made Shun famous; the D shaped handle, the super sharp Damascus blade, the long lasting edge, and the beautiful workmanship, but with the extra comfortable grip. The kiritsuke design was reserved for the master chef in a Japanese kitchen and with every other manufacturer, is by far the most expensive blade in their line up. Shun has produced one in the low $100 level so it is available for us not so master chef of the kitchen to purchase and enjoy!
Fantastic feel in your hand. Cuts without any effort. Perfectly balanced knife.
I can't understand why this knife was on sale. I'm assuming just to make room for the newer lines of Shuns. The craftsmanship is incredible and I enjoy this kiritsuke design, with a slight curve in the bolster that fits my hand nicely. It seems that this kiritsuke is slightly more curved than along the cutting edge than most, so it works just fine for rocking and just about all other cuts. It's delicate, like most Japanese blades of this style, so I don't think any heavy chopping will be done with this one. SUPER sharp out of the box. Everything you need in a master chef knife. I'm very happy with this purchase.
I've had this knife about a month now and I'm loving it. I find myself ignoring my other knives while prepping veggies and even slicing proteins.It cuts effortlessly, precisely all while fitting comfortably and securely in hand.Very happy with my decision to add this knife to my Shun collection!
This knife is retiring our old chef's knives. Great balance, motion, lightweight. If it was a tiny bit smaller, it would be better for me, but since I gave it to my husband as a gift he won't let me use it much.
This knife is considered as a Japanese master chef knife, what with it's angles, beveled point angle, belly curve, and heel protrusion. It's a hefty and formidable blade, made of all the good challenges one could encounter in the land of cuttings and slices. Do not tarry with this knife; it is large and in charge, and only the best of us may direct its power. I'm equally afraid and intrigued by its build, and rightly so. Like all good blades, this thing is sharper than sharp, somewhere between that and a scalpel - seriously, it's serious. In the right hands, this knife could change lives, so respect. If you feel up to it, buy it - best knife I've ever owned, and I have about $5,000 worth of sharpened steel in my life.
The 8" Shun Kiritsuke is the best knife I have ever used bar none. The design of the knife makes it well suited for chopping and cutting larger items during prep./cooking but also delicate enough for chores a smaller knife could be used. They come razor sharp right out of the box and hold an edge longer than other knives i have used. The hand forged hollow ground Damascus steel blades are not only functional but gorgeous works of art. They are of the highest quality you will find in any knife and obviously made by craftsmen not just workers. I can't say enough good things about the knife and urge anyone who is looking for a good all around knife to get one and give it a try. I guarantee you will not be dissatisfied.
This is the perfect design for a knife. The recurve below helps keep your fingers in place and maximizes the cutting length. The drop tip makes fine cutting a breeze. The gentle curve allows you to rock the knife over a cutting board. It's so sharp I can't believe it. The weight balance is perfect.
| Product dimensions | 34.29 x 2.22 x 5.08 cm; 226.8 Grams |
| Blade material | Stainless Steel |
| Handle material | Ebony color PakkaWood |
| Blade edge | Plain |
| Construction type | Forged |
