Wusthof vs Shun – Which Brand is the Better?

Last Updated on September 9, 2021

There are many brands that make quality knives but there are two in particular that stand out above the rest: Wusthof and Shun. Both Wusthof and Shun knives are high-quality cutlery brands, but which one is right for you? Which style of knife you should buy: German-style Wusthof knives or Japanese-style Shun knives?

The Wusthof vs Shun debate has been going on for years and it’s time to finally settle the argument. There are a lot of factors that go into deciding which knife is better but we’ll be looking at some of the most important ones. Let’s compare the two to see what features they offer.

Wusthof vs Shun

Differences

• The main difference between the Wusthof knife and Shun knife lies in their looks, styles, composition, and in the feeling of holding the knives.
• The cutting angle of the Wusthof knife is 14 degrees. While the cutting angle of Shun knife is 16 degrees.
• The blades of Wusthof knives are made of high carbon stainless steel to resist rust and corrosion. But the blades of Shun knives are made of high carbon stainless steel like VG-MAX, SG2, VG10.
• Wusthof knife comes with Polypropylene, Grenadill African blackwood and Polyoxymethylene handles. Whereas Shun knives come with Micarta, thermoplastic elastomer, Pakkawood, or polypropylene handles.
• They are relatively sharper than Shun knives.
• Wusthof brand is manufactured in Solingen, Germany. The knives of Shun brand are manufactured in Seki City, Japan.
• There are 7 kitchen knife lines (six forged-blade styles and one laser-cut stamped style) in Wusthof knife. Whereas there are 11 kitchen knife lines in Shun knife.
• Wusthof produces German-style knives which have a lower cutting angle. While Shun produces Japanese-style knives with super sharp blades.
• Wusthof knife blades are a little heavy and thick compared to Shun knives.
• Wusthof knives are made through 40 steps process. On the other hand, Shun knives are made through 100 steps process.
• Wusthof has 58 Rockwell hardness. Whereas Shun has 61 Rockwell hardness.
• Shun knives are easier to use due to their thin blades.
• Wusthof knives are beautifully designed to give a traditional look. The design of Shun knives influences ancient knives and swords.

Similarities

• Both of the knives are made of high-quality materials and high carbon stainless steel to resist rust, corrosion, and discoloration.
• Both knives perform well in slicing, chopping, dicing, and mincing foods and vegetables.
• The full bolster of the knives provides perfect balance while using it.
• The handles of the knives are ergonomically designed to provide a strong, comfortable, and secure grip.
• The knives feature full tang construction to improve strength and balance.
• The knives are highly durable, come with a super sharp edge, and give a smooth finish.
• Both the knives are engaged in the cutlery business for more than a century.
• They must be washed by hand after every use.
• They have superior edge retention and the materials are highly refined.
• The knives are manufactured by experienced craftsmen for ensuring the best quality.
• They come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Wusthof Knives

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Wusthof knives are a German company that has been around for many years. They produce excellent quality knives that are used by many professional chefs. Their blades have a lifetime warranty and they come in a variety of sizes to fit anyone’s needs. If you want your food cooked quickly and efficiently without sacrificing flavor or appearance, then these knives are exactly what you need.

Blade of Wusthof Knives

The super sharp blades of Wusthof knives are made from a single piece of high carbon stain-resistant steel. The edges are more durable and perform well for any slicing task. The knife has a 14-degree cutting angle along with 7 unique knife lines (six forged-blade styles and one laser-cut stamped style). Wusthof knives are made from high-quality steel. One of the best parts about Wusthof knives is that you can sharpen them and they will hold their edge for a long time because of the quality steel that was used.

Only Wusthof Gourmet knife is laser-crafted from high-carbon steel with Precision Edge Technology. With this technique, they create Gourmet knives that are easy to use because they’re so sharp. Laser cutting the edges of these blades creates a much thinner blade (than other Wusthof lines) that requires less metal to forge which in turn means there’s less material (and therefore less weight) at the edge of the blade. The high-quality Wusthof knives are produced in 40 step process by experienced craftsmen.

Handle of Wusthof Knives

The handles are made of polypropylene, Polyoxymethylene, and African Blackwood which provide a soft and secure grip. The triple-rivet makes the knife more strong and durable.

What does this mean for you?

Well if you are looking for a knife that has an elegant and durable handle then the Wusthof might be right for you. Polypropylene and Polyoxymethylene are durable materials. The African blackwood provides some contrast to handles because it’s darker in color. This means that if you want a knife with a classy look or one that will last longer than others then go with Wusthof knives. The knives are allowed to wash by hand with mild detergent. The ergonomically designed knives have a full bolster with a traditional look.

Wusthof knives are Heavier than Shun

We all know that Wusthof knives are a high-end brand, but what about their weight? There’s been some debate on the internet recently as to whether or not they’re heavier than Shun knives.

Yes, Wusthof knives are heavier. They also feel sturdier in your hand because of how heavy they are. Mainly, the blades on Wusthof knives are a little bit thick, which makes them heavier than Shun. The handles are made of wood and the blade is forged from one piece of steel with full bolsters. This design offers excellent balance and control to users which is perfect for heavy-duty tasks.

Pros

• High carbon stainless steel blade.
• Different types of handles are available in different knife lines.
• Forged and full tang construction.
• More durable than Shun.
• Have more weight than Shun.
• Precision Edge Technology (PEtec) is used.
• Perfect for heavy-duty.
• German Brand.

Cons

• Expensive.

Also read these comparisons:

• Cutco vs Wusthof
• Dexter fillet knife vs Bubba Blade

Shun Knives

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Shun knives are the best in the business. They’re made out of a special steel called “super steel” which is super durable and can even cut through anything. The edges on these knives last forever and never need to be sharpened because they stay that way for years. If you’re looking for an awesome knife set then look no further than Shun. What distinguishes Shun knives from their competitors is that they don’t just want to make something that functions at a basic level, but instead work to create functional pieces with beauty in mind.

Blade of Shun knives

Shun knives are better because they have sharper blades and lighter weight. Once the cutting motion begins, the blade of a shun knife will make contact with the food before its handle does, so less force is used in each slice. The blades of Shun knives are made of high carbon stainless steel like- VG-MAX, SG2, and VG10.

For this reason, the blades have edge retention three times longer than other steels and are easy to sharpen on any surface. The blade has a 16-degree cutting angle on each side. The blades have a super sharp edge and are highly resistant to rust and corrosion. Skilled craftsmen produce blades through a 100 step process. These knives come with 61 Rockwell hardness.

Handle of Shun knives

The handles are handmade in Japan by skilled craftsmen. So, you can be sure they’re durable and will last through many years of use. The handles are composed of Micarta, Pakkawood, Polypropylene, Tagayasan, or thermoplastic elastomer. The handles are comfortable to hold and offer great cutting performance. The knives must be washed by hand after every use. These high-quality materials make the blade and handle sturdy, strong. Shun knives have a tsuchime finish with full tang construction and full bolster to provide balance.

Popularity of Shun Knives

A popular and well-known knife brand is Shun knives. These knives are made of high-quality steel and have a razor-sharp edge that will slice through anything. They also come in many different shapes, sizes, colors, and designs to suit your needs.

A few reasons why people love these knives so much: they are easy to handle, the blade cuts smoothly without sticking or tearing foods and vegetables apart, it has a nice weight to it but not too heavy that you can’t use them for long periods of time with your arm getting tired quickly. There are many other great features about this knife set such as their longevity which means they won’t need replacing anytime soon after purchase.

Pros

• VG-MAX, SG2, VG10 Super Steel Blade.
• Some of the Shun knives have a Damascus pattern on the blade.
• Have a razor-sharp edge.
• Different types of handles are available in different knife lines.
• Lightweight.
• Superior edge retention.
• Hammered finish.
• Japanese brand.

Cons

• Lighter knives are not perfect for aggressive chopping tasks.
• Expensive.

To know more about Shun knives: read the full review

Japanese Knives vs German Knives

Which is better, a Japanese knife or a German Knife? It’s hard to say. Both are good knives in their own way and usually, the decision comes down to personal preference.

Mainly, Japanese knives are thinner and lighter than german knives which make them easy to use for beginners. On the other hand, German knives have more weight, so they are perfect for heavy-duty tasks. If you are a professional chef and you need to handle aggressive chopping tasks, then you must go for sharp and durable German knives. But the edge retention ability of Japanese knives is better than German knives.

Our Suggestion

In the end, it’s up to you. Which knife set should you get? It depends on your needs. Both of the knife brands offer their knives or knife sets almost at the same price and come with a lifetime warranty. If we had to choose between these two knives, we would probably go with Wusthof because they have more sharpness and durability. But if you prefer Japanese-style knives with having great edge retention, then go for Shun knives.