Shun Premier Grey Santoku 7 Inch

The Shun Premier Grey Santoku 7 inch is a striking addition to Shun's acclaimed Premier collection, built around a core of VG-MAX super steel that has been clad in sixty-eight layers of Damascus steel on each side. This construction gives the blade exceptional hardness, allowing it to hold a razor-sharp edge through extended use while remaining easy to resharpen when the time comes. The signature tsuchime, or hammered, finish isn't just decorative—those irregular divots create air pockets between the blade and whatever you're slicing, reducing drag and helping delicate ingredients like cucumber or fish release cleanly instead of clinging to the steel.

The handle is where this particular Santoku distinguishes itself within the Premier lineup, crafted from a PakkaWood composite in a warm grey tone that pairs beautifully with the blade's dark, Damascus-patterned surface. This walnut-inspired handle is contoured in Shun's signature D-shaped design, offering a comfortable, secure grip whether you're right- or left-handed, and it's treated to resist moisture, cracking, and staining over years of kitchen use. The visual contrast between the muted grey handle and the rippling, hand-hammered blade gives the knife a refined, almost artisanal presence that feels equally at home in a professional kitchen or displayed on a countertop knife block.

Functionally, the 7-inch Santoku blade is designed for the rock-and-chop technique favored by home cooks and chefs alike, with a flatter edge profile than a traditional chef's knife that excels at push-cutting through vegetables, boneless proteins, and herbs with precision. Its slightly shorter length compared to a standard chef's knife makes it more maneuverable for smaller hands or tighter cutting boards, without sacrificing the cutting power needed for larger produce. Hand-sharpened to a 16-degree angle on each side by artisans in Seki City, Japan, this Santoku delivers the kind of fine, consistent edge that turns everyday prep work into a smoother, more satisfying task.