Which Shun Knife Is Best for Cutting Meat?

Chefs have used Shun knives successfully in both mom and pop joints and five-star restaurants for over a decade. With the amount of Shun knives on the market, narrowing it down to the best ones for cutting meat can be challenging. We completed the research, so you don't have to.

Here are some of the best Shun knives for cutting various meats, to include chicken or bones:

• Shun Blue 6" Butchery Knife
• Shun Kanso 5" Asian Prep Knife
• Shun Classic 6" Meat Cleaver

Grab a drink, prop your feet up, and keep reading for information on why these are the best meat and bone knives.

Which Shun Knife is the Best Overall For Cutting Meat?

Sometimes budgets are tight, and no matter how much you pull, it won't expand. That's where the Shun Blue 6" Butchery Knife has you covered. This particular knife is the best for cutting multiple types of meats. The versatility of this knife is an exceptional choice for all cutlery needs.

Loved by professional and amateur chefs for its incredible sharpness, Shun Blue 6" Butchery Knife is constructed of carbon steel and stainless steel. A single layer of carbon steel achieves an impressive edge, whereas two layers of stainless steel provide low maintenance and higher resistance to rust or corrosion.

On the Rockwell Hardness scale, ranging from 40-65, this butchery knife comes in at a high of 61, making it durable. The blade is polished and beautifully shows where the two types of steel were combined. The handle is constructed with a visually pleasing grey PakkaWood®. Over time, the blade will develop a patina, a gloss or color, that may differ from its original color. Don't be alarmed. It's normal and will help protect the steel from regular daily use.

Which Shun Knife is Best for Cutting Chicken?

Everyone has heard of a steak knife, but what about a chicken knife? The search for a chicken specific knife is over, introducing Shun Kanso 5" Asian Prep Knife. This knife has the sharpness, stability, and lightness of high-carbon vanadium steel.

The heritage finished blade is scratch-resistant. The handle is angled and made of dark tagayasan wood, traditionally used on Samurai Swords. Handcrafted in Japan, this prep knife is designed and selected by chefs for boning poultry.

With a length of five inches, this knife is easy to control, making it ideal when handling different poultry sizes. Whether it be cubing chicken breasts or separating a whole chicken into smaller chunks, this is a light and sturdy knife to get the job completed. This blade's sharp point and angle will enable you to get close to the bone, reducing wasted meat.

Which Shun Knife is Best For Cutting Bone?

Meat cleavers are widely known as being pretty handy when it comes to chopping or cutting bones. Shun Classic 6" Meat Cleaver is handcrafted and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Whether you are cubing chunks of steak, resizing a fish, or breaking down a pig for a family roast, this cleaver is up to the task.

The cleaver is fabricated with high-carbon stainless steel, which offers strength, sharpness, and corrosion resistance. Made from Ebony PakkaWood®, the handle doesn't absorb moisture easily. Secured by two rivets gives the wooden handle strength and a classy look. The blade has been hand sharpened and is easily resharpened by hand when needed.

A double-beveled blade adds to the lifetime sustainability of the knife. The edge is positioned at 16 degrees on both sides, making it easy to stabilize. Stability is crucial when processing any bone-in meat. It's heavy-duty, built to last, scored 60-61 on the Rockwell hardness scale, and weighs just under one pound.

Where Can You Buy a Shun Knife?

There are multiple places that Shun knives can be purchased. Some retail stores carry Shun knives; however, here are a few online options.

Shun Blue 6" Butchery Knife:

You can find this excellent knife here on Amazon.

Swiss Knife Shop is also a great source for this knife. Check it out here.

Shun Kanso 5" Asian Prep Knife

Click to find this knife on Amazon here.

You can also find it at Knife Center here.

Shun Classic 6" Meat Cleaver

You can find this great knife on Amazon here.

Cutlery and More is a really good source for this knife as well. Check it out here.

Caring for a Shun knife

Some suggestions for taking care of your Shun knives:

• Use mild dish soap.
• Avoid the dishwasher at all costs. Handwash only.
• Rinse and hand dry with a non-abrasive towel immediately. You should not leave any moisture on the knife.
• Do not use any concentrated citrus liquids or bleach. This will make the blade more susceptible to corrosion.

Storage and Tips

Due to their sharp qualities, store your Shun knives out of reach of children and pets. The best storage places would be a wooden knife block or a knife sheath over the blade, then put in a drawer.

The wood on the handles of Shun knives may change color over time. This is a natural occurrence due to oxidation or exposure to different oils. The change in color of the wood is not a defect but part of the knife aging process. Some blades may also change color with use. It's not uncommon and can add a layer of protection to the knife.

Summarizing

There are a lot of different brands, styles, and types of knives available today. Shun knives are quality, reliable, and, most notably, are extremely sharp knives. When buying quality, you are less likely to replace that knife for many years. Cooking prep work takes less time when you have the proper tools. Take adequate care of your knife, and it'll continue to assist you with your meaty tasks.