If you are looking for a quality kitchen knife to add to your kitchen then you must have heard the name of Shun. Shun is a renowned Japanese knifemaker crafting knives for years. They have a large collection of knives. Among them, the two most high-end collections of knives are shun premier and shun hiro. These two lines of the knife have lots of differences along with some similarities. Let’s go through this detailed Shun Premier vs Hiro comparison to know more.
Quick Overview: Shun Hiro vs Premier
If you are in hurry then before reading this whole Shun hiro vs shun premier knife comparison you can go through this quick overview. Here are the main differences between these two high-end chef’s knives.
- These two shun knife blade has different blade core. In shun premier the blade core is made with VG-MAX super steel. And the shun hiro core is made with high carbon SG2 powder steel.
- In shun premier the blade core is wrapped by total of 34 layers of stainless steel at each side. Whereas hiro has 32 layers of nickel and stainless steel at each side to protect the core.
- Both knives have a tsuchime hammered finish. But in shun hiro the look is more shiny and gorgeous as it has a nickel finish on it.
- Though both knives have the same handle material but there is a difference in design. Shun premier handle features a contoured cylindrical shape and brown wooden color. On the other hand, Shun hiro has an ambidextrous rounded handle. That has a black look with a brown line. In both handles, there is a steel end cap and pin.
- Shun hiro knives are more pricy than shun premier knives. So, the premier is a more affordable option.
Now let’s talk about the similarities between shun hiro and shun premier. As both knives are made by the same knife maker shun, they have many similarities.
- Both premier and hiro handles are made with the same material that’s durable Pakkawood.
- Hiro and Premier have the same razor-sharp 16-degree cutting angle at both sides.
- As both of these shun knives are made with quality material they have Rockwell hardness of more than 60.
- Shun hiro and premier both retain their edge for a long.
- Both of these knives are full tang.
- Hiro and premier both knives prefer only handwash.
- The most amazing feature of shun is that their knives come with a limited lifetime warranty and free sharpening, the same for these two knives.
Comparison Table: Shun Premier vs Hiro
| Shun premier | Shun Kaji | |
| Where it’s made | Seki, Japan | Seki, Japan |
| Blade Material | VG-MAX super steel | SG2 powder steel |
| Blade Construction | Core is wrapped by 34 layers of stainless steel at each side | Core is wrapped by 32 layers of Damascus nickel and stainless steel at each side |
| Blade Design | Tsuchime hammered finish | Tsuchime hammered finish |
| Handle Material | Pakkawood | Pakkawood |
| Handle Design | Symmetric Cylindrical contoured shape with Steel end cap | Ambidextrous rounded handle with steel end cap |
| Handle Color | Brown | Brown and Black |
| Sharpness ( Edge angle) | 16 | 16 |
| Rockwell Hardness | 60+ | 60+ |
| Full Tang | Yes | Yes |
| Edge retention | Long-Lasting | Long-Lasting |
| Cleaning | Hand wash | Hand Wash |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime |
| Price | Less Expensive ( Check Price on Amazon) | More Expensive ( Check Price on Amazon) |
Differences Between Shun Hiro vs Shun Premier
In the quick overview part of this shun hiro vs premier review and comparison, the differences between these two knives were described briefly. Now, let’s go through those differences between premier and hiro in detail.
Differences 1: Blade Material
Though premier and hiro are made with different materials, both of these are high-quality materials.
Blade core of shun premier is made with famous VG-MAX super steel. VG-MAX is exclusive steel for shun that is used especially in shun knives. It is the upgraded version of the famous knife steel VG-10. This steel is enriched with different necessary components like carbon, chromium, vanadium, cobalt, and molybdenum. All these components contribute to the hardness, durability of the knife.
On the other hand, shun hiro knife is made with micro carbide SG2 powder steel. Sg2 is a high carbon alloy of stainless steel and known as super gold steel. Sg2 is famous among knifemakers as a high-end knife steel. This stainless steel is also enriched with different components like VG-MaAX which ensures its quality.
Differences 2: Blade Construction
Like blade material shun premier and hiro have different blade construction.
Shun premier has 34 layers of Damascus steel at each side of the knife blade core. So,If we consider the core there are a total of 69 layers of steel in the premier. These layers are made with two types of steel one soft steel another hard steel. Soft steel layers increase the knife flexibility and the hard layer makes the knife harder.
But in shun hiro there are 32 layers of Damascus nickel and stainless steel at each side of the core. So, in it, there is a total of 65 layers of different steel. These layers protect the core from extra pressure or damage and increase blade strength.
Differences 3: Blade Design
Both Shun Hiro and Shun premier has a tsuchime hammered finish as mentioned before in this Shun hiro knife review vs shun premier comparison but they have different look.
In shun, premier, the upper portion of the blade has a hammered finish. That looks almost the same in the whole upper portion. And the bottom half portion has a Damascus pattern with a mirror finish.
In Shun Hiro the whole blade is covered with small air pockets created by a hammered finish. But there are two different layers. At the upper portion, the air pockets are larger. But at the lower part, the hammered finish looks denser and the air pockets are smaller.
In both of the knives hammered finish makes them nonsticky. And helps to prevent food while using.
Differences 4: Handle Design
Both Shun Premier and Hiro handle is made from Pakkawood but they have a difference in shape and look.
Shun premier handle features a contoured cylindrical shape with a curve at its belly. The Premier handle has a brown wooden color. Moreover, you will see lines like real wood that give it a natural wooden texture. There is a steel end cap with shun logo at the end of the handle. And a golden strip gives the last touch.
Whereas Shun Hiro handle has a more straight round shape without any curve at the belly. The whole handle has a black look with red lines. There is a mosaic pin at the center of the handle. And like shun premier, shun hiro has a steen end cap but it looks a little different.
Differences 4: Price
When there is a comparison between Shun premier vs shun hiro sg2 review, then shun premier is more pricy and costly than shun premier. There is a noticeable price difference between hiro and primer.
On the other hand, Shun premier is a more affordable knife. And it is a perfect combination of affordability and quality. That’s why shun premier is one of the most renowned chef’s knives among the users.
Differences 6: Product Offering
Both shun premier and Hiro lines offer different types of knives and knife sets. For example in the premier line of shun, along with shun premier chef’s knife there is shun premier santoku, shun premier nakiri, shun premier kiritsuke, and and other knives and knife sets. Same for shun Hiro line.
| Knife/ Set | Shun Premier | Shun Hiro |
| chef’s knife | Available | Available |
| Santoku knife | Available | Available |
| Nakiri Knife | Available | Available |
| Kiritsuke knife | Available | Available |
| Boning fillet knife | Available | Not Available |
| Asian cook knife | Available | Not Available |
| Slicing Knife | Available | Not Available |
| Bread Knife | Available | Available |
| Utility Knife | Available | Available |
| Paring Knife | Available | Available |
| 3 piece knife set | Available | Available |
| 5 piece knife set | Available | Not Available |
Similarities Between Shun Premier and Shun Hiro Knife
We have gone through all the differences between shun hiro sg2 vs shun premier knives. Now let’s go through their similarities.
Similarities 1: Handle Material
Though premier and hiro have different handle designs they use the same material for the handle. Pakkawood is used for both of the knives. Pakkawood is a resin-based material tath is a composite of different types of hardwood and resin. It helps to add different colors and textures to the handle.
Pakkawood is an extremely durable material. It is water-resistant and doesn’t harbor bacteria that ensure the longevity of the handle.
Similarities 2: Sharpness and Edge
Both of these knives are hand-honed to an extremely sharp 16-degree cutting angle. They are double bevel knife that means both of the knives has the same sharpness on both side. So, both-handed users can use these knives.
Shun knives are sharpened using the traditional honbazuke method. In this process, each knife is hand sharpened using 3 main steps. These steps consist of sharpening the knife of vertical rotating stone, horizontal stone, and finally on leather.
Similarities 3: Hardness
Both shun premier and hiro knives are made with quality material and both have a solid balde construction. So, both of these knives have tough and rock-solid hardness. Both knives have Rockwell hardness over 60. So, both knives can bear tough works in the kitchen.
Similarities 4: Edge Retention
Edge retention of the knife depends on the hardness. When it comes to shun knife they have tough hardness os they retain their edge for a long. Same for these two knives. When there is a comparison between shun premier vs hiro chef’s knife review, shun hiro may have a little long edge retention. But in both cases, you don’t have to worry about sharpening so often.
Similarities 5: Tang
The part of the blade that goes through the handle is known as the tang of the knife. Both shun hiro and premier are full tang knives. Tang contributes to the proper balancing and durability of a knife.
Similarities 6: Clean and Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance are important for the longevity of any knife, the same for shun knives.
Both shun hiro and premier prefer handwash only. Washing these knives in the dishwasher may cause damage to the balde and cause chips. After every use, it is better to clean the knife using clean water or soap and cloth if necessary.
Though both knives are almost water-resistant it is better to dry the knife properly before storing it. So, after every wash dry your knife properly and then store.
Never store any knife in the drawer without a sheath. For storing these knives you can use a knife block or a sheath of perfect size.
Similarities 7: Where they are made
Shun is one of the oldest and renowned Japanese knife-making companies. All their knives are handcrafted in Seki, Japan using traditional knife-making techniques. Seki is known as the knife and blade-making capital of Japan because of its years-old knife-making history. Each knife goes through a long process before coming to its final look.
Similarities 8: Warranty and Free Sharpening
It’s a great feature of Shun knives is that they come with a limited lifetime warranty and free sharpening service.
If you find any kind of manufacturing defect you can have the limited limited lifetime warranty of Shun. Same for Shun Premier and shun hiro knives.
Another amazing thing is that shun provides a free sharpening service to its users. If you ever feel that your shun knife has lost its razor-sharp edge just send it to Shun and they will sharpen it for you for free.
Conclusion ( Should You Buy Shun Premier or Shun Hiro Knife?)
I hope you have got a clear idea about the difference and similarities between these two knives from this to shun premier vs hiro comparison. Now, it’s time to decide which one is a better choice for you.
If you want a knife with a rounded handle with a curve at the belly that fits in the palm and if you want a traditional wooden look then shun premier is a better choice. But if you want a straight rounded handle with a unique and modern look then shun hiro is for you.
Both knives have hammered patterns on them but if you want a light hammered finish then shun premier is for you. Whereas the hammered finish of shun hiro is too dense.
Both knives have extreme hardness, long-lasting edge retention, and sharpness quality.
Finally comes affordability, As one of the most high-end shun knife shun hiro is a little bit costly. On the other hand, Shun Premier is a more affordable and value-for-money product. With a proper combination of affordability and quality shun premier is one of the most renowned shun knives.
If you want to read a particular review about these knives. Here is the full Shun Premier Review and Shun Hiro Review.
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