Kanso // Steak Knife // 5"

Here's why the straight-edged Shun Kanso Steak Knife is the perfect way to cut your steak: it helps keep more of the delicious flavor inside your steak. Serrated steak knives saw through your steak, tearing more capillaries in the meat. The flavorful juices run out and pool on your plate. But the Shun Kanso Steak Knife's smooth, razor-sharp edge makes a cleaner cut—so more of the juices and more of the flavor stays in every bite. What's more, cutting is smoother and easier, too, as your knife simply glides through the steak.

Kanso is a design principle based on Zen philosophy. It means “simplicity,” but simplicity that is achieved by eliminating the non-essential. Kanso knives feature high-performance steel, razor-sharp edges, perfect balance, and precision cutting control. Kanso's Heritage finish hides scratches and gives Kanso a rustic look that just improves with age. The handle is made of a wood called tagayasan or wenge, which is sometimes known in Japan as “iron sword wood.” The handle contouring enables an easy chef's grip. Full-tang construction provides strength, balance, and easy cutting control. Like all Shun knives, Kanso is sharpened to a 16° cutting angle each side to cut cleanly and help preserve food’s freshness and best taste.