Comparison: Best Shun Premier Block Set (Updated | Nov 10th)
If you’re in the market for a knife set that blends precision, beauty, and long-lasting performance, the Shun Premier Block Set is definitely on your radar. But is it truly the best choice for your kitchen? We’ve put it to the test—comparing craftsmanship, sharpness, ease of use, and value—against top competitors to help you decide. Whether you’re a home cook or a weekend chef, finding the right knives matters. Let’s dive into what makes the Shun Premier stand out—and where it might fall short.
- Best for walnut essentials: Shun Premier 8 Piece Knife Block Set
- Best for chef’s dream: Shun Premier 15-piece Knife Block Set
- Best for bamboo block pro: Shun Premier 8 Piece Professional Block Set
- Best for starter set: Shun Premier 6 Piece Block Set
- Best for blonde birch: Shun Premier 7 Piece Knife Set with Angled Birch Block
- Best for blonde 12-piece: Shun Premier 12 Piece Knife Block Set
- Best for steak knife set: Shun Premier 6-Piece Steak Knife Set with Sidecar Block
- Best for mini starter: Shun Premier 5 Piece Starter Block Set
- Best for herb shears: Shun Premier 7 Pc Essential Knife Block Set
- Best for blonde pro: Shun Premier Blonde 8 Piece Professional Block Set
Product Comparison: Best Shun Premier Block Set
Shun Premier 8 Piece Knife Block Set
- Shun Premier Knife Set Includes: 4″ Paring Knife, 5.5″ Nakiri Knife, 6″ Gokujo Boning/Fillet Knife, 6.5″ Utility/Slicing Knife, 7″ Santoku Knife, 8″ Chef’s Knife, 9″ Combination Honing Steel & 8 Slot Angled Block
- VG-MAX steel core, Damascus clad with 34 micro-layers on each side of SUS410/SUS431 stainless steel; full tang;Rockwell Hardness: 60-61; hand-sharpened Japanese double-bevel blade angle 16° (each side)
- Hammered Tsuchime finish, helps release the food from the blade easily when slicing
- Contoured walnut PakkaWood handle accommodates right and left-handed users
- Handcrafted in Seki, Japan with a limited lifetime warranty; hand wash with gentle dish soap
Shun Premier 15-piece Knife Block Set
- Shun Knife Set Includes: 4″ Paring Knife, 5.5″ Nakiri Knife, 6″ U2 Ultimate Utility Knife, 6″ Gokujo Boning/Fillet Knife, 6.5″ Utility Knife, 7″ Santoku Knife, 8″ Chef’s Knife, 9″ Bread Knife, 9.5″ Slicing Knife, Four 5″ Steak Knives, 9″ Combination Honing Steel & 17 Slot Angled Knife Block
- VG-MAX steel core, Damascus clad with 34 micro-layers on each side of SUS410/SUS431 stainless steel; full tang;Rockwell Hardness: 60-61; hand-sharpened Japanese double-bevel blade angle 16° (each side)
- Hammered Tsuchime finish, helps release the food from the blade easily when slicing
- Contoured walnut PakkaWood handle accommodates right and left-handed users
- Handcrafted in Seki, Japan with a limited lifetime warranty; hand wash with gentle dish soap
Shun Premier 8 Piece Professional Block Set, Features 6 Shun Premier Knives, Honing Steel and 11-Slot Bamboo Knife Block, Handcrafted Japanese Knife Set, Pakkawood Handles
- KITCHEN KNIFE SET: Includes an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, 9-inch Bread Knife, 5.5-inch Santoku Knife, 9.5-inch Slicing Knife, Honing Steel and Bamboo Knife Block.
- DISTINCTIVE HAMMERED FINISH: Part of the Premier Series, each knife features a beautiful hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade.
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS: Crafted with VG-MAX steel and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, this knife set delivers razor-sharp precision with 16-degree edges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The contoured Pakkawood handles offer a comfortable and secure grip, providing optimal control for both left and right-handed users.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality. Supported by free sharpening and honing.
Shun Premier 6 Piece Block Set, Includes 8″ Chef, 4″ Paring, 5.5″ Nakiri, 6.5″ Utility Knives, Honing Steel & 8-Slot Angled Knife Block, Handcrafted Japanese Knife Set, Pakkawood Handles
- KITCHEN KNIFE SET: Featuring an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, 5.5-inch Nakiri Knife, Combination Honing Steel & 8-Slot Angled Knife Block, this set is the perfect addition to your cooking knife collection.
- DISTINCTIVE HAMMERED FINISH: Part of the Premier Series, each knife features a beautiful hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade.
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS: Crafted with VG-MAX steel and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, this knife set delivers razor-sharp precision with 16-degree edges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The contoured Pakkawood handles offer a comfortable and secure grip, providing optimal control for both left and right-handed users.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality.
Shun Premier 7 Piece Knife Set with Angled Birch Block
- Shun Premier Blonde set includes 4″ Paring Knife, 5.5″ Nakiri Knife, 6.5″ Utility Knife, 7″ Santoku Knife, 8″ Chef’s Knife, 9″ Combination Honing Steel with Satin Stainless Steel Handle & 8 Slot Angled Birch Knife Block
- VG-MAX steel core, Damascus clad with 34 micro-layers on each side of SUS410/SUS431 stainless steel; full tang
- Rockwell Hardness: 60-61; hand-sharpened Japanese double-bevel blade angle 16° (each side); hammered Tsuchime finish, helps release the food from the blade easily when slicing
- Contoured blonde PakkaWood handles accommodate right and left-handed users
- Handcrafted in Seki, Japan; hand wash with gentle dish soap
Shun Premier 12 Piece Knife Block Set
- Shun Premier Blonde Set includes 4″ Paring Knife, 5.5″ Nakiri Knife, 6.5″ Utility Knife, 7″ Santoku Knife, 8″ Chef’s Knife, 9″ Bread Knife, Four 5″ Steak Knives, 9″ Combination Honing Steel with Satin Stainless Steel Handle & 17 Slot Birch Angled Knife Block
- VG-MAX steel core, Damascus clad with 34 micro-layers on each side of SUS410/SUS431 stainless steel; full tang
- Rockwell Hardness: 60-61; hand-sharpened Japanese double-bevel blade angle 16° (each side); hammered Tsuchime finish, helps release the food from the blade easily when slicing
- Contoured blonde PakkaWood handles accommodate right and left-handed users
- Handcrafted in Seki, Japan; hand wash with gentle dish soap
Shun Premier 6-Piece Steak Knife Set with Sidecar Block, Handcrafted Japanese Cutlery, Steel
- IDEAL FOR YOUR KITCHEN. Set includes 6 (six) fine-edged Shun Premier Steak Knives with Bamboo storage block
- DAMASCUS BLADE. Each 5-in blade has a cutting core of Shun’s proprietary VG-MAX super steel to take and hold a precision edge. A 69 layer construction: Damascus cladding plus 34 layers each side
- PREMIER LINE. Hammered tsuchime finish is the most prominent visual feature that defines the Shun premier line. Tsuchime is not only beautiful but most important acts like a series of hollow-ground cavities to reduce drag
- WELL BALANCED. Embossed endcap adds beauty and balance
- MADE IN JAPAN. Handcrafted in Japan
Shun Premier 5 Piece Starter Block Set, Includes 8″ Chef’s Knife, 4″ Paring Knife, 6.5″ Honing Steel & Slimline Bamboo Knife Block, Pakkawood Handles
- KITCHEN KNIFE SET: Featuring an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, Combination Honing Steel & Slimline Bamboo Knife Block, this set is the perfect start to your cooking knife collection.
- DISTINCTIVE HAMMERED FINISH: Part of the Premier Series, each knife features a beautiful hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade.
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS: Crafted with VG-MAX steel and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, this knife set delivers razor-sharp precision with 16-degree edges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The contoured Pakkawood handles offer a comfortable and secure grip, providing optimal control for both left and right-handed users.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality. Supported by free sharpening and honing.
Shun Premier 7 Pc Essential Knife Block Set
- KITCHEN KNIFE SET: Featuring an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, 9-inch Bread Knife, Herb Shears, Honing Steel and 11-Slot Bamboo Knife Block, this set is the perfect start to your cooking knife collection.
- DISTINCTIVE HAMMERED FINISH: Part of the Premier Series, this knife set features a beautiful hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade.
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS: Crafted with VG-MAX steel and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, this knife set delivers razor-sharp precision with 16-degree edges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The contoured Pakkawood handles offer a comfortable and secure grip, providing optimal control for both left and right-handed users.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality. Supported by free sharpening and honing.
Shun Premier Blonde 8 Piece Professional Block Set, Includes 8″ Chef, 4″ Paring, 6.5″ Utility, 9″ Bread, 5.5” Santoku & 9.5” Slicing Knives, Handcrafted Japanese Knife Set, Pakkawood Handles
- KITCHEN KNIFE SET: Featuring an 8-inch Chef’s Knife, 4-inch Paring Knife, 6.5-inch Utility Knife, 9-inch Bread Knife, 5.5-inch Santoku Knife, 9.5-inch Slicing Knife, Honing Steel and Bamboo Knife Block, this set is the perfect cooking knife collection.
- DISTINCTIVE HAMMERED FINISH: Part of the Premier Series, this knife set features a beautiful hammered tsuchime finish to reduce drag and prevent food from sticking to the blade.
- SUPERIOR SHARPNESS: Crafted with VG-MAX steel and 68 layers of Damascus cladding, this knife set delivers razor-sharp precision with 16-degree edges, ensuring long-lasting performance.
- COMFORTABLE DESIGN: The contoured, blonde Pakkawood handles offer a comfortable and secure grip, providing optimal control for both left and right-handed users.
- JAPANESE CRAFTSMANSHIP: Each Shun knife is meticulously handcrafted in Japan, reflecting a legacy of traditional knife-making expertise and a dedication to superior quality. Supported by free sharpening and honing.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I consider when choosing a Shun Premier block set?
Look at the number and types of knives included, the block material, and your cooking style. A set with a bread knife and steak knives adds versatility, while a smaller set focuses on core prep tools. Also check handle comfort and the warranty for long‑term value.
How does the 8‑piece block set differ from the 15‑piece set?
The 8‑piece set provides the essential chef, santoku, utility, paring, nakiri, boning, honing steel and a walnut block, ideal for everyday home cooking. The 15‑piece set adds a bread knife, slicing knife, steak knives and a larger 17‑slot block, offering more specialized tools for advanced or entertaining kitchens. The larger set costs more but delivers greater flexibility.
Is the blonde PakkaWood handle version worth the extra price?
The blonde version features the same VG‑MAX steel and 34‑layer Damascus construction as the traditional walnut models, so performance is identical. Its lighter, blonde PakkaWood handle and birch block give a distinct aesthetic that may match modern kitchen décor. If style matters to you, the premium price can be justified.
Which set offers the best value for a beginner chef?
The 5‑piece starter set includes a chef’s knife, paring knife, utility knife, honing steel and a slim bamboo block, covering the most common tasks at a lower cost. While it lacks a bread or santoku knife, it provides a solid foundation for learning proper technique before expanding the collection.
Do the hammered Tsuchime finishes affect performance?
Yes, the hammered finish creates tiny cavities that reduce drag and help food release from the blade, especially useful for slicing vegetables and fish. It also adds a striking visual element without compromising sharpness. All Premier knives share this feature, so it’s a consistent benefit across the line.
How important is the VG‑MAX steel core for everyday use?
VG‑MAX is a high‑carbon stainless steel that holds a 16° double‑bevel edge, delivering excellent sharpness and durability. It resists corrosion while maintaining a fine edge, making it suitable for frequent chopping, mincing and precision work. The steel core is a key reason Shun knives are favored by professionals and home cooks alike.
What are the advantages of the angled block versus a bamboo block?
An angled block keeps knives at a 45° angle, protecting the edge and making storage more ergonomic, while a bamboo block offers a lightweight, eco‑friendly option with a classic look. Angled blocks often have more slots, allowing for larger collections, whereas bamboo blocks are better for compact kitchens.
Is the lifetime warranty truly comprehensive?
Shun offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects, and the company provides free sharpening and honing for the life of the knife. The warranty does not cover damage from misuse or improper care, so following the hand‑wash instructions is essential to maintain coverage.