Shun Cutlery
Shun Cutlery is a kitchen knife brand of the KAI Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. In the United States, Shun is sold by Kai USA in Tualatin, Oregon — alongside the Kershaw Knives and Zero Tolerance Knives brands.[1]
Industry | Kitchenware |
---|---|
Founded | 2002 |
Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
Key people | Koji Endo, CEO and President of the KAI Group; Jack Igarashi, Chief of North American Operations |
Products | Kitchen knives |
Website | https://shun.kaiusaltd.com/ |
History
The origins of the Kai Group date back to 1908, when founder Saijiro Endo established the company in Seki City, Japan.[2] The company produced various cutlery throughout the 20th century, including folding knives, razors, and kitchen cutlery.[2] In 2002, Kai introduced the Shun Cutlery brand to the Western market.[3][4] All Shun knives are currently made in Seki City and are distributed to over 30 countries.[4][5]
Awards
Shun has been recognized at the annual Blade Show in Atlanta, Georgia.[6][7][8] Additionally, International Forum Design presented the Shun/Ken Onion Chef's Knife with an iF Product Design Award in 2005.[9]
Products
Shun Cutlery produces several lines of kitchen knives in Seki City, Japan.[5]
Shun Series
- Classic
- Classic Pro
- Dual Core
- Fuji
- Hikari
- Hiro
- Kaji
- Kanso
- Premier
- Shun Blue
- Sora
Appearances in media
A Shun Hollow-Ground Slicing Knife appeared in season 3 of Hannibal (TV series).[10] A Classic Bird's Beak knife also made an appearance on True Detective.[11]
A set of Shun Premier cutlery was seen on the season 4 finale of The Blacklist (TV series).[12] Outdoorsman Steven Rinella also used a Premier Chef's Knife on season 5 of MeatEater.[13]
Mystery writer Jeffery Deaver included a Shun Premier Slicing Knife in the crime novel The Kill Room.[14]
A virtual Shun knife is an award in the mobile game Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff.[15]
References
- Eckstine, Roger (2017). Shooter's Bible Guide to Knives (2nd ed.). New York City, NY: Skyhorse Publishing. p. 166. ISBN 978-1-5107-1128-0.
- "Timeline". KAI-Group.
- De Bellis, Lauren. "Kai Celebrates Shun's 15th Anniversary". HomeWorld Business.
- "Shun Celebrates its 15th Anniversary". Shun Cutlery.
- Ward, Chad (2008). An Edge in the Kitchen. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-06-118848-0.
- Shackleford, Steve (November 2006). "The Rich Just Got Richer! BLADE Magazine's 2006 Knives of the Year® Reflect The Finest in Factory Cutlery". BLADE Magazine. Iola, Wisconsin. pp. 13–19.
- Shackleford, Steve (2007). "Hand Salute the Blade Magazine Knives of the Year". Blade Magazine. November 2007
- Sobieck, Ben. "2017 Knife of the Year® Award Winners & Custom Knife Award Winners – BLADE Show". BLADE.
- iF Yearbook Product 2005. Birkhauser Basel. 1 June 2005. pp. 317, 439. ISBN 3-7643-7183-8.
- "Yikes! Shun Spotted on Hannibal". Shun Cutlery.
- "First Hannibal, Now True Detective". Shun Cutlery.
- Reiter, Lukas; Orci, J.R. (18 May 2017). "Mr. Kaplan". The Blacklist. Season 4. Episode 21. Event occurs at 10:10. NBC. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- Rinella, Steven (29 January 2015). "Burger Extravaganza: Cooking Special". MeatEater. Season 5. Episode 4. Event occurs at 0:20. The Sportsman Chennel. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
- Deaver, Jeffery (8 April 2014). The Kill Room. Grand Central Publishing. p. 44. ISBN 978-1455517084.
- "Shun Spotted in the Family Guy Game, "The Quest for Free Stuff"". Shun Cutlery.