Shun Premier 5.5" Nakiri
Quite simply, nakiri is Japanese for "vegetable knife." If you havent used Japanese-style knives before, the nakiri is sure to attract your attention due to its interesting shape. Yet this blade shape is quite practical, too. With its blunt tip, the Shun Premier Nakiri is safer to use in the kitchen, but without sacrificing any of the slicing and dicing power you need when processing vegetables. Because of its straight blade, edge, and spine, the nakiri isnt rocked like a chef's knife. Instead, use a push cut by moving the knife down and forward while keeping the edge parallel to the cutting surface. If you cut vegetables for salad or stir-fry, you will simply love using the Shun Premier Nakiri.
The Shun Premier Nakiri is part of the beautiful Shun Premier line, which calls to mind the hand-forged knives of ancient Japan. While each knife still takes at least 100 handcrafted steps to complete, the materials Shun uses are among the most advanced in the industry. Each blade has a cutting core of Shun's proprietary VG-MAX super steel to take and hold a precision edge. The layered Damascus cladding supports the core and provides additional stain resistance. Near the edge of the blade, where the steels meet, an undulating line is formedsimilar to the hamon formed when samurai swords are tempered using a traditional clay-baking technique. The hammered tsuchime finish acts like a series of hollow-ground cavities to reduce drag. The handles nestle comfortably in the hand, while the embossed end cap adds balance and beauty.
Features:
Craftsmanship & Provenance
Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan
Every Shun Premier knife is handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, long considered the heart of the Japanese cutlery industry. Since 1908, Seki City has also been home to the makers of Shun fine cutlery, where ancient tradition continues to inform exceptional knives today.
A Legacy of Japanese Blade-Making
In the 13th century, Seki City was considered the heart of the Japanese cutlery industry, and it remains one of Japan’s most important blade-making centers today.
At Least 100 Steps, Handcrafted
Each knife takes at least 100 individual steps to complete, combining traditional Japanese craftsmanship, premium materials, and modern technology. Premier also features a hammered Tsuchime finish and hand-sharpened blade for refined performance.
Why It Matters
The Shun name comes from the Japanese culinary tradition of shun: the exact moment when an ingredient is at its peak of freshness, flavor, and beauty. A very sharp knife helps preserve cellular structure for better texture, appearance, and taste, while premium blade materials help support lasting edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Traditional Japanese craftsmanship meets modern culinary performance in a knife designed to stay sharper longer, resist wear, and bring lasting value to the kitchen.