The History of Shun Knives

Shun knives got their start in 1908 when Saijiro Endo first set up shop in Japan’s Seki City, a region with a blade-making tradition that dates back over 800 years. Initially, the company made folding knives, then razors, before transitioning to kitchen cutlery. The knives were handmade using traditional Japanese artisanal techniques. It was Koji Endo, a descendant of the company’s founder, who came up with the idea of bringing Japanese cutlery to the Western market. He chose the name Shun as a reference to the Japanese tradition of fresh, seasonal eating, and the concept that everything has its ideal time. He also designed the Shun logo, which is still in use today. Shun knives made their North American debut in 2002. Today, Shun knives are a favorite of many professional chefs and home cooks alike, and are known for their thin, lightweight, yet strong and well-crafted blades.