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. Available in 4 colors:

• Black (Classic, and Dual Core)
• Blonde, it's natural color (Classic Blonde and Premier Blonde)
• Walnut (Premier)
• Grey (Premier Grey)

Micarta

Micarta is a strong, durable laminate made from resins layered with a variety of different types of fabrics. Micarta can handle extremes of heat or cold, resists moisture, and is extremely stable. Ground and polished, it reveals attractive patterning. Micarta handles are used in Shun’s Narukami series.

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.