Miyabi Vs Shun Knives: Which One Is Better?
Japan is said to be a knife lover’s destination as some of the well-known knife manufacturing companies are located there. Japanese knives are preferred worldwide because of their durability and top-quality materials. Among the numerous brands that manufacture knives, Miyabi and Shun are two brands that stand out. But figuring out which one to choose among the two is difficult as both the brands use unique techniques and premium quality raw material to manufacture the knives. However, few features make Miyabi knives different from Shun knives which we will discuss in this article.
Miyabi Knives
Miyabi was established in 2004 and is controlled by Zwilling J. A Henckels, a German company that deals with knife manufacturing. As a result, Miyabi knives are manufactured by combining Japanese craftsmanship and German engineering. Many of the knives are made with the help of a laser control system which provides fine edges to the blades that make the knives cut into the softest food without any difficulty. These knives are liked by their users because of their double-bevel edges that are easy to use. Manufacturers of the kn0ives believe that quality is more important than looks.
Shun Knives
Shun Cutlery has been in business for over a century now and is considered one of the biggest and finest Japanese cutlery manufacturers. This company was established in Seki city that is popular for its blade artisans and their expertise in making knives, swords, and other cutlery. Shun knives are made up of thin, lightweight blades and hardened steel along with Damascus patterns which makes them popular among knife lovers. These knives are not only attractive but are also built with a sharp edge which is why professionals prefer them over any other brand.
Comparison Of Shun Vs. Miyabi Knives
| MIYABI | SHUN |
|---|---|
| Miyabi was found in 2004 | Shun was found in 2002 |
| Miyabi knives are made in Seki City of Japan | Shun knives are made in Seki City of Japan |
| SG2, VG10, Special Formula are the blade materials used. | SG2, VG10, VG-MAX are the blade materials used. |
| Karelian Birch, PakkaWood, Micarta, black ash wood, POM are the different handle materials used. | PakkaWood, Tagayasan wood, TPE are the different handle materials used. |
| Miyabi knives have Japanese design along with German influence. | Shun knives have a traditional Japanese design rivaling that of top Japanese knife brands. |
| An average Miyabi knife weighs around 8 ounces. | An average Shun knife weighs around 7 ounces. |
| The total edge angle ranges between 19-24 degree angle | The total edge angle is a 32-degree angle. |
| Blade hardness ranges between 55 to 66. | Blade hardness ranges between 60 to 62. |
| Miyabi has 9 knife collections. | Shun has 7 knife collections. |
1. Miyabi vs. Shun Chef’s Knives
Chef’s knife is an essential supply in every kitchen. A single chef’s knife can be used for various needs like slicing, dicing, chopping, etc. They can be utilized on almost all the food items except some food items like fish that have special knives designed for them. Miyabi and Shun both manufacture chef’s knives, but they vary in terms of the blade and material of the handle used.
The Shun Classic 8” chef’s knife is made up of extra tungsten and chromium that helps in making a sharper edge and provides superior corrosion resistance. The use of carbon and extra cobalt in the knives makes them more durable and stronger. Not only that, but they also resulted in creating beautiful patterns on the surface of the blade. Ebony PakkaWood is used for the handle to make it look more appealing. With this hardwood, a specific resin is saturated that gives the handle a water-resistant finish. This also prevents the knife from slipping into your hands or degrading in due course of time. Even after using it for a long period, Shun chef’s knives retain their sharpness due to the usage of 69 layers, among which 34 layers are of stainless steel. These knives also come in various sizes, starting from 6 inches to 10 inches in length.
Compared to the Shun Classic 8” chef’s knife, Miyabi Kaizen chef’s knife, is extraordinarily thin even after having 65 layers. These multiple layers in the blade make it more durable and also provide a commendable cutting edge in the long run. Miyabi chef’s knife is sharper than the Shun chef’s knife, and the judge has a 9.5 to 12-degree angle. These kinds of knives are perfect for slicing meat and other food items that are hard to slice through. The handle also is comparatively thin yet attractive. Even though the handle is not the most comfortable, it fits almost all the hand sizes and is slip-resistant.
At last, the Miyabi knife is somewhat better than Shun knife because it has a sharper edge and is thinner. The fact that it is thin does not affect the durability of the knife.
2. Shun Vs. Miyabi – Nakiri Knives
Nakiri knives are designed for convenient vegetable chopping. They are square-tipped and have a straight blade edge that makes the task of cutting vegetables easier. Shun and Miyabi have been manufacturing Nakiri knives for quite a long time. Let us look at how they differ from each other.
Shun Premier Nakiri Knife is a 5.5-inch long knife whose structure is extremely thin. This knife is specially designed to cut small-sized vegetables easily. The steel on the knife’s blade is layered in Damascus style that protects the knife from getting damaged or harming its edge even after it has been used on a cutting board regularly. The hand-hammered finish of the knife (consisting of small pockets) also makes it easier to cut a large number of vegetables by reducing the drag and preventing the vegetables from sticking. The handle is made of pakkawood, which gives a comfortable grip to hold the knife. The pakkawood also protects the knife from possible moisture damage. The use of an embossed cap and brass ring provides superior balance and makes the knife eye-catching.
Miyabi Mizu SG2 Nakiri Knife differs from the Shun Premier Nakiri Knife by an inch only; i.e., the former is 6.5 inches long. Because of its length, one can easily chop multiple vegetables at a time. This knife is also designed with Damascus styling that makes it more durable and provides a great edge. Miyabi Mizu knife having the same hammered finish facilitates reduced drive while using the knife. And, due to the ice-hardening done on the knife, the cutting feature of the steel is maximized. The edge of these knives varies between 9 and 12 degrees based on the model and is said to be sharper than the Shun blade. It is also attached to a metal end cap that helps in balancing the blade.
Ultimately, Miyabi Mizu SG2 is a little better than the Shun Premier Nakiri Knife because of its sharp edges and length.
3. Miyabi Vs. Shun Paring Knives
The main purpose of paring knives is to make precision cuts. These knives are ideal for cutting tasks like peeling, chopping, slicing, or dicing fruits and other soft food items. The thin blade and tapered edges of the knife make it easier to pierce through any kind of thick fruit and vegetable. Miyabi and Shun paring knives can be used by both skilled and beginner chefs. Let us get a better idea of how these two knives vary.
Shun Classic Paring Knife is a 3.5-inch long knife that provides the user with total control and precision in maneuvering while peeling and cutting fruits. Its v-shaped handle, made of ebony wood, gives great ergonomic comfort and enhances the look. Also, the surface of the blade is bead-blasted that accentuates the flowing pattern present on the steel. The use of special steel formula in the knife helps in retaining the edge over a long period. The composition of 34 layers of stainless on either side makes the knife one of the hardest of its kind. Cladding support present in the knife also provides resistance against stains and corrosion.
Miyabi Mizu SG2 Paring Knife is also 3.5 inches in length and has Damascus structured steel blade that has a textured finish. The knife is quite long-lasting and efficient because of the ice-hardening process used in it. As compared to its rival Shun paring knife, the Miyabi Mizu paring knife is sharper; as a result, it is more efficient in handling delicate fruits and vegetables. Also, the small size of the handle offers the user better control while working with the knife.
On the one hand, Miyabi knives are sharper; on the other hand, Shun knives are long-lasting. Depending on the requirements, one can choose between both knives.
Miyabi Vs. Shun Table Comparisons
Similarities Between Shun And Miyabi Knives
| FEATURES | MIYABI | SHUN |
|---|---|---|
| Tang design | Uses a concealed tang design extended to handle | Uses a concealed tang design extended to handle |
| Bolster design | Uses a half or no bolster design | Uses a half or no bolster design |
| Weight distribution | Well balanced weight and distribution | Weight balance suits the best for chopping, slicing, dicing, etc. |
| Cutting of frozen food | Shun knives aren’t suitable for chopping frozen food or bone as their core is made of hard steel. | People have a hard time chopping on a butcher block because the edge breaks off. |
| Durability | Might not be so durable | These knives are brittle in nature |
Unique Features of Miyabi and Shun Knives
| MIYABI KNIVES | SHUN KNIVES |
|---|---|
| Considering its foundation dates, Miyabi knives attained efficiency too early. | With time, Shun knives are gaining effectiveness. |
| Manufacturers of Miyabi knives believe in quality over appearance. | Manufacturers of Shun knives prioritize both performance and appearance. |
| Miyabi blades are composed of three types of superior quality materials among which one is patented by the brand itself. | Shun blades are also made up of three great quality materials. However, none of them is patented by the brand. |
| Miyabi knife handles are made of both wood and synthetic that offer a good grip to the user. | Shun knives also use wood and synthetic for their handles. But synthetic is mainly used for quality handles. |
| Unlike other brands, Miyabi knives consist of double-beveled edges. | Shun knives also use the double-beveled feature and a strong structure that makes the knife easy to use. |
| The various handle shapes that Miyabi knives offer are D shape, round shape, and full-tang shape. | Shun knives do not offer an array of handle shapes. Only round-shaped handles are available. |
| Miyabi knives use German engineering as well as Japanese techniques to develop their knives. | But, Shun knives only use traditional Japanese techniques to develop their knives. |
| The length of Miyabi knives is 8 inches and they also weigh 8 ounces. | The Shun knives being of the same length, weigh 7 ounces. |
| The edge retention that Miyabi knives provide is 6-12 degrees on both sides. | Shun knives provide ideal 16-degree edge retention on both sides. |
| In order to increase the hardness and durability of the knife, go to 66HRC. | On the other hand, Shun knives use 62HRC to retain the hardness and increase durability. |
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Conclusion
Miyabi knife and Shun knife both offer excellent functionalities. While most of the Miyabi knives are sharper and thinner, Shun knives have greater durability and come at a low cost as compared to Miyabi knives. Miyabi knives also offer a variety of handles that make cutting, chopping, and other tasks easier, unlike Shun knives that only have a round-shaped handle. Both the brands use superior quality materials to develop their knives. So, it all comes down to the preference of the user to choose anyone.
