Shun
Shun Classic 9 Piece Chef's Choice Knife Block Set
Best premium knife collection for serious home chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
Elevate your culinary skills with the Shun Classic 9-Piece Chef's Choice Block Set, designed for both home cooks and professionals. This comprehensive set includes essential knives like an 8-in. Chef's Knife, 5.5-in. Santoku, 6-in. Utility Knife, Paring Knife, Offset Bread Knife, and Boning/Fillet Knife. It also features a Combination Honing Steel for edge maintenance and a spacious 22-slot Bamboo Block for storage and future expansion. Crafted with Shun's proprietary VG-MAX steel clad in Damascus stainless steel, these knives offer exceptional sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance. The D-shaped ebony PakkaWood handles provide a comfortable and secure grip, blending beauty with high performance.
$979.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.8
/ 5
Category Rank
9
/ 1839
#9 in Kitchen Utensil Sets
Price vs Category Average
+841%
Above average
Blade Steel
3468
/ Proprietary VG-MAX cutting core, layers each side ( total) stainless Damascus cladding
Who it's for
- Home cooks demanding professional-grade precision and long-lasting sharpness
- Serious culinary enthusiasts needing a complete, all-in-one knife solution
- Design-conscious chefs seeking beautiful, high-quality Japanese kitchen tools
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for affordable kitchen essentials
- Busy cooks preferring low-maintenance, dishwasher-safe kitchen tools
- Left-handed chefs requiring ambidextrous or neutral handle ergonomics
Performance breakdown
Edge Retention
VG-MAX steel core maintains a razor-sharp edge through heavy kitchen use.
Ergonomic Comfort
D-shaped PakkaWood handles provide a secure, fatigue-reducing grip for precision cutting.
Versatility
Comprehensive blade selection covers every essential task from filleting to slicing.
Build Quality
Handcrafted Japanese construction ensures exceptional durability and long-term structural integrity.
Storage Capacity
Spacious bamboo block offers ample room for future knife collection expansion.
Maintenance Demand
Requires hand washing and regular honing to preserve the delicate edge.
Key Specs
Blade Steel
Proprietary VG-MAX cutting core, 34 layers each side (68 total) stainless Damascus cladding
Handle Material
D-shaped ebony PakkaWood
Blade Sharpening
Hand-sharpened 16° double-bevel blades (Offset bread knife: 16° single-bevel with serrations)
Block Material
Sustainable bamboo construction
Block Capacity
Accommodates up to 11 pieces of cutlery, plus honing steel and shears
Honing Steel Rod Length
9 in.
Knives Included
3.5-in. Paring, 6-in. Utility, 8-in. Chef's, 5.5-in. Santoku, 6-in. Boning/Fillet, 8.25-in. Offset Bread, 9-in. Hollow-Ground Slicing
Set Includes
9 knives, 1 honing steel, 1 bamboo block
Features
- Comprehensive 9-piece set with essential knives.
- Razor-sharp VG-MAX steel core with Damascus cladding.
- Ergonomic D-shaped PakkaWood handles for comfort.
- Includes honing steel for blade maintenance.
- Spacious 22-slot bamboo block for storage.
- Knives handcrafted in Japan for superior quality.
- Durable and corrosion-resistant VG-MAX steel.
- Visually appealing Damascus-clad blades.
What customers say
This Shun Classic knife set earns overwhelmingly positive reviews, primarily for its exceptional quality and superior design. Customers consistently praise the razor sharpness achieved through high-quality Japanese craftsmanship, noting it makes kitchen tasks effortless. The aesthetic appeal is a major highlight; the Damascus cladding and PakkaWood handles create an heirloom quality feel. Reviewers also appreciate the excellent balance and comfortable D-shaped handles, which reduce fatigue during extended use. While the initial price is substantial, most agree the long-term performance justifies the investment. Users emphasize that diligent hand-washing and careful storage are necessary due to the blade's hardness. Overall, this set is viewed as the pinnacle of kitchen cutlery performance.
Know before you buy
No, these knives are not dishwasher safe. To protect the integrity of the VG-MAX steel and the PakkaWood handles, you should always hand wash and dry them immediately after use.
The D-shaped PakkaWood handle is designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, providing a secure, non-slip grip that enhances control and reduces fatigue during extended cutting tasks.
Yes. The bamboo block features 22 slots, providing plenty of room to store the included set while leaving space for you to expand your collection with additional Shun cutlery in the future.
You should use the honing steel regularly—ideally before or after each use—to realign the blade's edge. This helps maintain the knife's sharpness and performance between professional sharpenings.
VG-MAX is a proprietary, high-carbon steel that offers superior edge retention, hardness, and corrosion resistance compared to standard stainless steel. When clad in 68 layers of Damascus steel, it creates a blade that is both exceptionally sharp and highly durable.
While the D-shaped handle is traditionally designed for right-handed comfort, many left-handed cooks find they can use them effectively. However, the ergonomic shape is specifically contoured, so you may want to handle one in person if you are strictly left-handed.
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$980