Shun vs Mercer Culinary
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jul 2026). How we score
Depends. Our pick is the Victorinox.
Neither is our first choice. See Shun vs Victorinox
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
What the testers found
America's Test Kitchen's Best Buy: "Costing about half the price of our winner," it has "a blade that's nearly identical" to the Victorinox. It costs about a sixth as much as the Shun. One quibble: the bumpy rubber handle is "so grippy that it sometimes impedes movement." ATK didn't test long-term durability, and the listing doesn't state a warranty.
| Criterion | Shun | Mercer Culinary |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Handle | 2.5/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Sharpness | 3/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026)
Specs side by side
| Spec | Shun | Mercer Culinary |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $28.65 |
| Cost per year | — | — |
| Warranty | — | — |
| Weight | 8.1 oz (measured by America's Test Kitchen) | 5.9 oz (measured by America's Test Kitchen) |
| Edge angle | 22° (measured by America's Test Kitchen) | 16° |
| Handle | Pakkawood | Santoprene and polypropylene |
| Made in | Japan | — |
| Extras | Free sharpening and honing (per Shun) | — |
| Dishwasher safe | — | No, hand-wash (per manufacturer) |
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026)
