---
product_id: 6088590
title: "Shun Premier 5 1/2\" Santoku Knife"
brand: "shun"
price: "$653.85"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Shun"
url: https://www.desertcart.ec/products/6088590-shun-premier-5-1-2-santoku-knife
store_origin: EC
region: Ecuador
---

# Hand-hammered tsuchime finish reduces drag 5.5" ultra-thin blade VG-MAX super steel core with 34 Damascus layers Shun Premier 5 1/2" Santoku Knife

**Brand:** shun
**Price:** $653.85
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🔪 Elevate your kitchen game with precision, power, and style — don’t just cook, create.

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Shun Premier 5 1/2" Santoku Knife by shun
- **How much does it cost?** $653.85 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ec](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/6088590-shun-premier-5-1-2-santoku-knife)

## Best For

- shun enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted shun brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Ergonomic Luxury:** Sleek pakkawood handle designed for comfort and control, fitting perfectly in your hand for extended use without fatigue.
- • **Drag-Reducing Elegance:** Hand-hammered tsuchime finish minimizes food sticking, making prep faster and cleaner.
- • **Precision Cutting Power:** Ultra-thin 5.5" blade with a razor-sharp 16° edge for effortless slicing, dicing, and mincing.
- • **Timeless Style & Legacy:** Iconic Japanese craftsmanship with a stunning Damascus pattern and embossed logo — a kitchen centerpiece that elevates your culinary status.
- • **Artisan-Crafted Durability:** Forged with proprietary VG-MAX super steel core clad in 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel for unmatched strength and longevity.

## Overview

The Shun Premier 5 1/2" Santoku Knife is a masterfully handcrafted Japanese kitchen essential featuring a VG-MAX super steel core with 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel. Its ultra-thin, 16-degree blade edge and hand-hammered tsuchime finish reduce drag and prevent food from sticking, delivering razor-sharp precision for slicing, dicing, and mincing. The elegant pakkawood handle offers ergonomic comfort, making this knife a durable, stylish, and high-performance tool designed to last generations.

## Description

Santoku (which means 3 virtues) knives are knives that are equally adept at mincing, slicing and dicing. The shun premier santoku knife is no exception. With 5-1/2-inch blade is a work-horse for all your kitchen prep, chopping and slicing its way through all your tedious tasks. Elegant and beautiful, the shun premier line of knives is unlike any knives you've owned. Featuring layered damascus steel for strength, the hand-hammered finish (known as 'tsuchime' in Japanese) lends not only to the beauty, but creates the hollow-ground feature that reduces knife-drag and prevents food from sticking to the blade. Ultra-thin and incredibly sharp, these blades feature a 16-degree blade angle making the blade flexible, but much sharper than traditional western knives. The gorgeous Packwood handles in walnut finish are both sleek and stylish, and are shaped to fit the palm of your hand in a variety of secure and comfortable grips. The shun logo is embossed on the end cap, making these knives beautiful in and out of the knife block. Incredibly thin, sharp blades, stylish finishing details and created in the Japanese styling that shun is famous for; you know your premier of knives will work just as hard as you do in your kitchen, and be around for generations to come. Hand washing only; limited lifetime warranty.

Review: Beautiful hammered look, well balanced - still loving it after 4.5 years - I bought this back around Christmas 2011 when it was on an desertcart holiday deal for $100. If you find it for that price nowadays, I'd pretty much try to yell through the computer screen at you to get it. :D At the current prices of ~$150 (depending on seller), I'd still say it's a good but not great value. Cost aside, it is a very nice knife. Aesthetically, the blade is simply exceptional. The polished hammered top half combined with the layered bottom half are beautiful. The pakkawood handle is also attractive, but I admit to not being as enamored with it as I was years ago. For some, the lighter weight may not be a preference, but it can be a real bonus when using this for a while because I think it helps prevent my arm and wrist from getting as tired as when I'm using my heavier knives. The build quality is outstanding. Of the four Shun knives that I've purchased, I've had one (a more expensive Reserve model) with an issue on the handle. Both of the Premier models that I bought (this and a paring knife) are perfectly made. The handle lines up just right with the blade, and there are no imperfections anywhere that I've noticed over years of use. Sharpness may go without saying, but I'll still say it :) - yep, it's sharp. It's not like cutting with this was a whole new experience for me. My less expensive Anolon knives are also pretty sharp - but I like using this knife more. Shun for me is more than just the functional value - it's the aesthetic value. It works great and looks great, and I like using it. There's something to be said for treating yourself or someone else now and again with a product that is just a cut above (sorry...no pun intended), and this is a knife that will stand out in most people's kitchen collection and make them feel good. I've attached some photos of this that hopefully convey some of the aesthetics. I think it's far more beautiful than the stock image here on desertcart conveys. Two big thumbs up from me for this knife.
Review: Great quality - Very good quality knife. Very sharp. Cutting is amazing. 7 inch blade is perfect for most kitchen cutting work.

## Features

- Handcrafted by expert artisans in Seki City, Japan
- Shun Premier santokus feature a core of proprietary VG-MAX super steel clad on both sides with 34 layers of Damascus stainless steel
- All knives are hammered by hand with a technique known as tsuchime to a beautiful finish that reduces drag when cutting, preventing food from sticking to the blade
- Ultra-thin blade edges retain a lasting and razor-sharp edge for precision on the cutting board
- Manufacturer: Shun

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B004M3ZF56 |
| Best Sellers Rank | #83,444 in Kitchen & Dining ( See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining ) #39 in Santoku Knives |
| Blade Color | Silver |
| Blade Edge | Plain |
| Blade Length | 5.5 Inches |
| Blade Material | Stainless Steel |
| Brand | Shun |
| Color | Silver |
| Construction Type | Forged |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,149) |
| Date First Available | February 3, 2011 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 04901601360745 |
| Handle Material | Pakkawood |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Is Dishwasher Safe | Yes |
| Item Length | 10.75 Inches |
| Item Weight | 5.3 ounces |
| Item model number | TDM0727 |
| Manufacturer | Kai |
| Material | Stainless Steel |
| Size | 5.5" |
| UPC | 759005761927 |

## Product Details

- **Blade Edge:** Plain
- **Blade Material:** Stainless Steel
- **Brand:** Shun
- **Color:** Silver
- **Handle Material:** Pakkawood

## Images

![Shun Premier 5 1/2" Santoku Knife - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lS4YbXBsL.jpg)

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What makes Shun worth the upgrade?**
A: Shun knives are handcrafted in Japan with premium steel such as VG-MAX. Extra sharp out of the box, they stay sharp longer and deliver unmatched precision. Shun knives are more than a tool, they’re a lifelong cooking experience.

**Q: How should I care for my Shun knife?**
A: Always hand wash with mild soap and dry immediately. Never put your Shun knife in the dishwasher. Use a soft wood cutting board like Hinoki to protect your knife edge when cutting. Do not use Shun for chopping through bone or frozen ingredients.

**Q: What is the proper cutting technique for a Shun?**
A: Use a locomotive motion when cutting - move the blade forward or back instead of pressing straight down. This lets the blade do the work, reduces fatigue, and helps keep your Shun in top condition.

**Q: How often should I sharpen my knife?**
A: Notice your Shun losing its edge? Hone weekly to re-align the blade. If honing no longer works, send it in for free sharpening or follow our online tutorials to hone and sharpen at home.

**Q: What’s the correct way to pronounce Shun?**
A: Say 'Shoon' (rhymes with moon). Shun is the Japanese concept of enjoying food at its peak. We honor this tradition by crafting fine cutlery that’s always at the peak of its perfection.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Beautiful hammered look, well balanced - still loving it after 4.5 years
*by A***D on July 10, 2015*

I bought this back around Christmas 2011 when it was on an Amazon holiday deal for $100. If you find it for that price nowadays, I'd pretty much try to yell through the computer screen at you to get it. :D At the current prices of ~$150 (depending on seller), I'd still say it's a good but not great value. Cost aside, it is a very nice knife. Aesthetically, the blade is simply exceptional. The polished hammered top half combined with the layered bottom half are beautiful. The pakkawood handle is also attractive, but I admit to not being as enamored with it as I was years ago. For some, the lighter weight may not be a preference, but it can be a real bonus when using this for a while because I think it helps prevent my arm and wrist from getting as tired as when I'm using my heavier knives. The build quality is outstanding. Of the four Shun knives that I've purchased, I've had one (a more expensive Reserve model) with an issue on the handle. Both of the Premier models that I bought (this and a paring knife) are perfectly made. The handle lines up just right with the blade, and there are no imperfections anywhere that I've noticed over years of use. Sharpness may go without saying, but I'll still say it :) - yep, it's sharp. It's not like cutting with this was a whole new experience for me. My less expensive Anolon knives are also pretty sharp - but I like using this knife more. Shun for me is more than just the functional value - it's the aesthetic value. It works great and looks great, and I like using it. There's something to be said for treating yourself or someone else now and again with a product that is just a cut above (sorry...no pun intended), and this is a knife that will stand out in most people's kitchen collection and make them feel good. I've attached some photos of this that hopefully convey some of the aesthetics. I think it's far more beautiful than the stock image here on Amazon conveys. Two big thumbs up from me for this knife.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great quality
*by A***L on January 17, 2026*

Very good quality knife. Very sharp. Cutting is amazing. 7 inch blade is perfect for most kitchen cutting work.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fantastic cutlery and a review of them...
*by T***S on December 31, 2015*

I have a fairly large collection of knives. These include a full set of Shun classics, this premier, Wusthof Trident set, Henckels Twin 4 Star II, Gunter Wilheim, and a full set of Chicago Cuttlery's top of the line (which really should not be mentioned with the knives above... not a shot.at Chicago, but they are a great knife for that price). The Premier is truly the finest of these knives. It is well balanced and comfortable to use and hold. It feel heavier than the classic Shun to me... but that may just be my mind playing tricks. This knife, if you want a.truly fine knife that you will likely pass down, this certainly fits the bill. That being said... I would urge anyone to hold this knife and the Classics. It is a different feel in the hand and you may prefer the Classics over this knife. Small hands may especially prefer the Classics. Do note that the premier is made of a different (better) steel with 34 layers/side. Close inspection will show those over the classic. It mentions that it is encased in Damscus steel. I do question that. I thought Damascus steel was quite rare to have anymore. Perhaps a derivative of the original most likely? Also note that the knives, while some of the finest production cutlery in the world, are not great at everything. For chopping and slicing most things, they excel and are the best. However, I go to a German knife (my Tridents) for cutting up things like a bird or near bones. For chopping things like brisket, you are better having something heavy and sharp like the Gunther. I prefer my twin 4 Star for slicing up beef, though I believe a Shun would be perfectly acceptable for this use. The issue comes in how the knives are meant to be used to cut. Where a German knife appreciates a "pushing down or forceful chopping", typical Japanese cutlery prefers a slicing motion back forth. Understanding this explains why I have, and I highly recommend, a variety of knives for their own purpose. A few other comments: These knives must be sharpened at a different angle than German cutlery 16 degrees versus the typical German 20-22. This makes using these knives much easier to cut through things, explains why they require less effort, and in turn due to the type of steel used, makes them more brittle and easier to chip. I have not chipped any of mine but it is a common complaint. They will rust easier though most households (even on the coast) would be unlikely to have this issue. One last note: these knives come from the factory razor blade sharp. Until you get very familiar with them, use extreme caution. Especially with these knives, keep them away from children or elderly who are not sure with their hands. I sliced my finger to the bone with one of these where a German knife would not have gone so deep. All in all, this is one of the finest knives in the world and well worth the investment for lifetime of enjoyment.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Shun Premier 5.5" Santoku Knife, Handcrafted and Hand-Sharpened Japanese All Purpose Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Versatile Japanese Cutting Tool
- Shun Premier Paring Knife 4 inch VG-MAX Stainless Steel Blade with Tsuchime Finish and Pakkawood Handle, Cutlery Handcrafted in Japan, brown
- Shun Premier 5.5" Nakiri Knife, Handcrafted Japanese Vegetable Knife, VG-MAX Core with Damascus Stainless Steel Cladding, Pakkawood Handle, Slicing Tool for Professional and Home Chefs

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*Product available on Desertcart Ecuador*
*Store origin: EC*
*Last updated: 2026-02-09*