Kai Shun Premier

Kai celebrates 15 years of collaboration with chef Tim Mälzer with a truly special limited edition: the Shun Premier Tantō TDM-1785 knife, produced in only 6,666 pieces worldwide.

Inspired by the traditional Japanese Tantō (短刀) sword, this model features a straight back and a sharp edge, making it ideal for slicing large vegetables, portioning meat, filleting fish, and much more.

The blade features the characteristic hammered finish typical of the Shun Premier series and is engraved with the special “15 The Legend” commemorative logo, alongside Tim Mälzer's signature. Each knife is individually numbered on the bolster, making it a true collector's item.

The design of the TDM-1785 was awarded the prestigious German Design Award 2025 in the “Premium Design” category.

Blade: VG MAX stainless steel Damascus with a hardness of 61±1 HRC.
Handle: Pakkawood.
Blade length: 255 mm.
Handle length: 120 mm.
Blade thickness: 3 mm.
Total length: 375 mm.
Weight: 220 g.
Notes: not dishwasher safe.

The Shun Pro Sho series focuses exclusively on blades with asymmetrical sharpening, that is, traditional Japanese shapes. Due to the high quality of workmanship and materials, this series is particularly suitable for intensive professional use.

The knife's elegant design masterfully combines classic Japanese design language with Western components.

Key Features.

Use: Suhi and Sashimi (fish)
Steel: stainless steel with very high efficiency
Sharpening: asymmetrical, chisel-shaped
Wooden pakka handle: Traditional Japanese chestnut shape, resistant to use and moisture.
Continuous tang: Provides stability and balance.

Blade: SOLID AUS10A stainless steel.
Handle: Black pakkawood
Blade length: 265mm.
Blade thickness: 3mm.
Total length: 405mm.
Weight: 200g.
Maintenance: hand wash, not dishwasher safe

The Shun Pro Sho series focuses exclusively on asymmetrically sharpened blades, i.e. on traditional Japanese shapes. Thanks to the high quality of workmanship and materials, this series is particularly suitable for intensive professional use.

The elegant design of the knife skilfully combines the classic Japanese formal language with western components.

The blade of the knife is made of SOLID AUS10A stainless steel
Handle: Pakkawood
Blade length: 165 mm.
Handle length: 120 mm.
Blade thickness: 4.5 mm.
Total length: 305 mm.
Weight: 290 g.
Notes: not dishwasher safe

For the trend-setting Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series, Kai has developed six additional knives made from corrosion-resistant 32-layer damask steel. It is embellished with a hand-hammered surface which in Japan is known as Tsuchime, thus combining timeless aesthetic qualities with ultimate sharpness. The blades have a massive core of VG MAX steel with a hardness of 61±1 HRC. 

In analogy to the limited Anniversary Knife, great importance was attached also in this series to the knives providing optimum grip as well as extraordinary hardness. The Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series, from bread knife to santoku, provides professional cutting tools which will set new standards in the premium segment by providing exceptional performance in a timeless design. 

True to Tim Mälzer‘s premise, „A good knife not only makes work easier but also helps to make cooking to turn out well“, each of the carefully manufactured damask knives was meticulously adapted to its respective area of use by the Japanese master forgers from Seki City. Due to the particularly symmetrical shape of their walnut handle, all shapes moreover ensure a precise cutting performance for both right-handed as well as left-handed use.

Shun Premier Tim Mälzer

Blade: Damascus stainless steel VG MAX hardness of 61 ± 1 HRC
Handle: Walnut wood
Blade length: 165 mm.
Handle length: 105 mm.
Blade thickness: 1.5 mm.
Total length: 275 mm.
Weight: 90 g.
Notes: not dishwasher safe

For the trend-setting Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series, Kai has developed six additional knives made from corrosion-resistant 32-layer damask steel. It is embellished with a hand-hammered surface which in Japan is known as Tsuchime, thus combining timeless aesthetic qualities with ultimate sharpness. The blades have a massive core of VG MAX steel with a hardness of 61±1 HRC. 

In analogy to the limited Anniversary Knife, great importance was attached also in this series to the knives providing optimum grip as well as extraordinary hardness. The Shun Premier Tim Mälzer series, from bread knife to santoku, provides professional cutting tools which will set new standards in the premium segment by providing exceptional performance in a timeless design. 

True to Tim Mälzer‘s premise, „A good knife not only makes work easier but also helps to make cooking to turn out well“, each of the carefully manufactured damask knives was meticulously adapted to its respective area of use by the Japanese master forgers from Seki City. Due to the particularly symmetrical shape of their walnut handle, all shapes moreover ensure a precise cutting performance for both right-handed as well as left-handed use.

Shun Premier Tim Mälzer

Blade: Damascus stainless steel VG MAX hardness of 61 ± 1 HRC
Handle: Walnut wood
Blade length: 165 mm.
Handle length: 105 mm.
Blade thickness: 1.5 mm.
Total length: 275 mm.
Weight: 90 g.
Notes: not dishwasher safe