Handle Materials

Shun uses natural woods and synthetic materials to create handles that are comfortable, beautiful, and durable.

Pakkawood

Most Shun handles are Pakkawood a premium handle material made of genuine hardwood impregnated with resin. The resin makes it moisture resistant, strong, and durable—important for kitchen knives. Sanding and polishing bring Pakkawood to a beautiful gloss finish. As with natural wood, no two pieces of Pakkawood are exactly alike.

Tagayasan (or wenge)

These wood handles complement Kanso’s full-tang blades. In Japan, this unusual dark-grained wood is known as “iron sword wood” for its incredible durability. The wood’s hardness requires extra handcrafting during manufacturing but will provide its owner with a lifetime of service. The tagayasan handles are angled to enable a comfortable pinch grip while cutting.

Textured PP/TPE

Shun Sora has PP/TPE (polypropylene/thermoplastic elastomer) handles in a traditional Japanese design. The material is lightweight and durable. Texturing the material provides excellent grip. These handles help give Sora precision balance and are easy maintenance.