I have a love-hate relationship with Meghan Markle's cooking show. As a trained cook, I wince at her basic recipes. But as a cookware editor and product tester, I’m obsessed with her luxurious kitchen tools – Le Creuset skillets, gorgeous walnut cutting boards, and of course, Shun Japanese knives that slice like butter.
I was so enamoured by the latter, I recently entered a competition to win a Shun knife. I’ve seen other chefs like Bobby Flay praise them as the best on the market, but they’re undeniably expensive. I was utterly shocked to be the lucky recipient of the prize (I’ve never won anything in my life).
I’ve been using the Shun Nakiri Knife at home for a couple of weeks now, comparing it to the HexClad knives I recently reviewed and the Global knives I already own. It’s incredibly sharp – almost scarily so – but once you use Japanese knives, you'll never go back.
The is is the knife I've been using at home, the Shun Classic Nakiri, in the black colorway (the blonde colorway is the one on sale, and I much prefer it, but beggars can't be choosers).
The Nakiri has a straight, almost cleaver-like shape that’s made for slicing vegetables with clean, precise cuts. It doesn’t rock back and forth, it simply glides. It's perfect for chopping a stubborn squash, or blitzing through a pile of herbs with satisfying effect.
The blade is forged from VG-MAX steel, wrapped in 68 layers of Damascus cladding, and finished with a 16-degree edge. In other words, it's sharp.
You need to be careful actually; I had a very near miss with a slippery tomato, though I put it down to my tiredness and getting used to the unique shape of the cleaver.
Each of the Shun Japanese knives is handcrafted in Japan, a detail you can feel in the balance, the finish, the beautiful craftsmanship. And while they’re not inexpensive, you will keep these Japanese knives in your kitchen collection for life.
This is the Shun Japanese knife Meghan uses the most on her cooking show, and it is also on sale today at 20% off. I love the hammered look on this version and it has rave reviews for its stunning design and versatility, too.
Japanese chefs often favor Hinoki cutting boards, made from cypress wood, to protect the fine edges of their knives. The texture is naturally soft, gentle on Japanese knives, and actually brings a light, calming scent to the kitchen.
The Shun Premier Blonde Starter Set comes with three essential knives: a 7" Santoku for everyday chopping, a 4" paring knife for small tasks, and a 5.5" Nakiri that's great for veggies. They’re super sharp, beautifully made in Japan, and they’ll last for decades with a care.
If you're curious about Meghan’s culinary collection (beyond Shun Japanese knives) – from her beloved Le Creuset to those walnut boards that double as serving platters – I’ve tracked down all the kitchen tools in With Love, Meghan. It's worth a scroll.
