Is the Shun Classic Chef's Knife Worth It?
Based on tests by America's Test Kitchen (Jul 2026). How we score
Save $134Depends. Victorinox for most people.
Amazon prices as of Sep 29, 9:38 PM EDT (details)
Why
America's Test Kitchen's upgrade pick: it "wowed users with its ultrakeen blade, which sliced even dense butternut squash as if it were butter." But ATK's overall winner is still the Victorinox Fibrox Pro at about a quarter of the price. Buy the Shun if you want a heavier, sharper knife you'll enjoy using; the Victorinox does every job well for less.
Cheaper alternatives, scored against the Shun
Fibrox Pro 8" Chef's Knife
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
America's Test Kitchen's winner, recommended "for nearly three decades": "With a sharp, gently curved blade, it effortlessly dispatched every task we set before it," and it's light, with a handle "comfortable to grip for hands of all sizes." It's lighter than the Shun (5.9 vs 8.1 oz), with a grippier handle. Plain looks, but "over the decades, it's proved itself to be a steady, stalwart companion for many cooks."
| Criterion | Shun | Victorinox |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Handle | 2.5/3 | 3/3 |
| Sharpness | 3/3 | 3/3 |
From America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026)
Millennia 8" Chef's Knife, Black
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
From 1 tester: America's Test Kitchen
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)
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026)
Common questions
Is the Shun Classic worth it?
America's Test Kitchen made it their upgrade pick for its exceptionally sharp blade. Their one complaint: the smooth, straight handle "is a bit slippery and quite long," which is harder for smaller hands to grip.
Shun or Victorinox?
The Victorinox Fibrox Pro is America's Test Kitchen's overall winner and costs about a quarter as much. The Shun is their upgrade pick, heavier with a sharper blade.
Sources: America's Test Kitchen: The Best Chef's Knives (updated July 7, 2026), Manufacturer specs via Amazon listing
