Shun Classic vs. Shun Premier – Similarities, Differences, Uses 2022

Are you starting your culinary career or are you at a stage where you want to upgrade your kitchen knives? And what better way to do it than to get the best Japanese knives on the market? Japanese knives have acted as a blessing. You need to look out for one brand in particular. And that is Shun, a knife brand manufacturing optimal performance knives directly out of Seki, Japan.

Shun has been in the market since 2002. With awards like Knife of the Year under its belt, shun has continued to deliver us with the best options. Among the collections, the ones that have primarily caught the public’s eye are Shun Classic and Shun Premier.

Both are probably the best Japanese knives for chefs out there. And in this article, we give you a simple comparison of Shun Classic vs. Shun Premier. So that it helps you get an idea which one of them is for you.

Shun Classic vs. Shun Premier

The main difference between “Shun Classic” vs “Shun Premier” is that Classic is used for easy and sharp cutting and Premier is used for cutting brisket.

We have brought you some similarities and differences between the two collections that might help you.

Similarities

If we look at both collections, they have more similarities than just being from the same brand. Here are a few of them:

• The Shun Classic and Premier knives’ blade material is similar. Both are made of a VG Max core. And this VG Max material is proprietary to Shun. VG Max is a Shun-specific steel formula that has a greater amount of chromium and vanadium. And therefore it has great resistance to corrosion and edge retention.
• Also, both these collections have 68 layers of steel cladded on the blade.
• The handles of the knives in both the collections are of Pakkawood. Pakkawood is basically a combination of wood and resin. And it has impressive properties like its dense, waterproof, heat resistant, durable, and also dense.
• Both the collections also have a 16-degree cutting edge on either side. So although they are sharp, they are not brittle.

Differences

So obviously these both collections are unique, so they have few differences like:

• The most prominent difference we see between the two is in the blade finish and design. So the blades in the Classic Series have a more motte and smoother finish. Also, they have a subtle Damascus design, wavy on top but get straighter as they go down.

Whereas, the Premium knife blades have a shiny and hammered finish at the top. With that, there is also the Damascus design which is more swirly than the Classic blades.

• Even though made of Pakkawood, the handles of both the collections are quite different. As the Classic knife handles are more of a D-shape made for control and stability. On the other hand, Premier knives handles are contoured, round, and symmetrical. And this contributes to comfort.
• Also, the handles of the knives from the Classic series come in ebony and blonde. While the ones from the Premier series are more of natural brown, like an elegant walnut brown.
• If we look at the prices of both the series, they are pricier than the other brands. Although their performance justifies the prices. But the Premier collection, as its name suggests, is more expensive than the Classic.

FAQs

1.Are all Shun knives full tang?

Yes, all the Shun knives collections are full tang. And that is why they offer a very balanced weight throughout the knife.

2.Is Shun real Damascus?

All the knives in Shun Classic and Premier collections are 68 layered Damascus steel. The Classic ones have a more subtle Damascus design. Whereas the Premier ones have a more twirly Damascus.

3.Are Shun knives brittle?

Shun knives are made from hardened steel. Almost all its knives have a score of 61 on the Rockwell hardness scale. Although this helps in better edge retention, it does make the blade somewhat brittle. But if you take good care, it will work out great for you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both these collections are amazing. Choosing one among the two can be confusing, but you need to pay attention to the things you are looking for.

The Shun Classic Series is cheaper. And come with more color options like ebony and blonde. Also, the handles here give you much more control and stability.

Our recommendation: Shun Classic 8†Chef’s Knife

The Shun Premier Series has perks of its own. As the blade of these knives is much more functional. And the hammered finish helps in reducing drag. Also, the food doesn’t stick to the blade. Even the handle is more comfortable for you.

Our recommendation: Shun Premier 8†Chef’s Knife

We hope this article has helped you out in choosing the best one for you.