Shun – Kanso 7″ Hollow Ground Santoku Knife

If you have admired the simple lines and effortless grace of Japanese design, you have experienced Kanso. Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy. It means “simplicity” but it is a simplicity that is achieved by concetrating solely on what is most essential. When it comes to Shun’s Kanso cutlery, essential means high-performance steel, a razor sharp edge, perfect balance, and precision cutting control. Kanso si simple – and beautiful – kitchen cutlery that simply performs. 

The Shun Kanso 7-in. Hollow-Ground Santoku is a beautiful, Asian-inspired chef’s knife that many cooks today have added to their kitchen favorites. A knife of many talents, a santoku easily handles all the basic kitchen cutting tasks. In fact, some people even prefer it to a chef’s knife. Slightly shorter than the standard chef’s knife, the Shun Kanso Santoku is very easy to maneuver—even in a smaller kitchen. There’s just enough belly curve to enable rocking cuts, which just adds to the knife’s versatility. We think you’ll find that this distinctive kitchen knife works beautifully and fits your hand like a glove. As easy to use as a chef’s knife, the santoku is especially well suited to a down-and-forward cutting motion (push cut). Many cooks swear by their santoku for easy food preparation and top performance.

The Shun Kanso 7-in. Hollow-Ground Santoku is part of the Kanso series. Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy. It means “simplicity,” but simplicity that is achieved by eliminating the non-essential. In Kanso, we took away anything that doesn’t matter and kept everything that does: high-performance steel, razor-sharp edge, perfect balance, and precision cutting control. The steel is Japanese AUS10A—highly refined, high-carbon, vanadium stainless steel that takes a razor-sharp edge and holds it longer. Kanso’s Heritage finish hides scratches and gives Kanso a rustic look that just improves with age. The handle is made of a wood called tagayasan or wenge, which is sometimes known in Japan as “iron sword wood.” The handle contouring enables an easy chef’s grip. Full-tang construction provides strength, balance, and easy cutting control. Like all Shun knives, Kanso is sharpened to a 16° cutting angle each side to cut cleanly and help preserve food’s freshness and best taste.

• A multi-purpose, must-have knife in Asian kitchens
• Hand-sharpened 16° double-bevel blade (32° comprehensive)
• Heritage finish hides scratches, gives Kanso a rustic look that just improves with age
• Steel: AUS10A—high-carbon, vanadium stainless steel
• Contoured tagayasan or wenge wood
• Blade length: 7 in. (17.8 cm)
• Handcrafted in Japan

Blade Material

Solida AUS10A – A high-carbon stainless steel wigh high strength, as well as good corrosion resistance, hardness and wear resistnace. Added vanadium refines the grain of the steel so that it takes a fine edge. 

Handle Material

Tagayasan (or wenge) – Known as “irown sword wood” tagaysan is notable for its densenss, durability and simple beauty. 

Handle Grip 

Symmetrical (ambidextrous) – Handle is shaped the same on both sides enabling left or right handed use.