An Asian-style chef’s knife, the Shun Kanso santoku handles everything from slicing fish and cutting meat to chopping vegetables. Incredibly versatile and easy to maneuver, it’s great for traditional push cuts as well as Western-style rocking cuts. Hollow-ground indentions in the blade reduce friction, ensuring clean, uniform cuts with minimal sticking. As pretty as it is practical, this high-performance knife makes a welcome addition to any cook’s collection.

Shun’s Kanso series is based on the Zen philosophy of simplicity—removing anything that doesn’t matter and keeping only the essentials. Made with Japanese, high-carbon steel, Kanso knives take a razor-sharp edge and hold it longer. Full-tang construction provides strength, balance and precision cutting control. Hand sharpened to a 16° double-beveled edge, these knives deliver perfectly smooth cuts.

Kanso’s beautiful handle is made of tagayasan wood, traditionally used in Japan for making samurai sword handles. A heritage finish on the handle hides scratches, giving knives a rustic look that improves with age. Plus, the contoured handle enables a chef’s grip that’s comfortable for both right- and left-handed cooks. Handcrafted in Japan, these knives pair exceptional performance with timeless artistry.