# Shun free sharpening and repair: how the service works Source: https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/shun-free-sharpening-and-repair Published: 2026-10-09 Publisher: Edge & Haft **Short answer:** As of October 2026, Kai USA sharpens Shun knives bought from authorized dealers for free for life. You pay a shipping and processing fee ($15 in the US, $25 for Canada and Mexico), fill in the Sharpening Request Form, and mail the knives to Kai in Tualatin, Oregon. Kai lists turnaround as about 2 weeks plus shipping. Shun is one of the few knife brands that will sharpen your knives for free for as long as you own them. This page explains how the service works as of October 2026, based on the sharpening and warranty pages on Kai USA's Shun site: what it costs, what Kai will and will not do, how to pack and ship your knives, and the local drop-off option in Oregon. Policies change, so confirm the current form, fee and address on Kai's page before you ship anything. ## What the free sharpening service includes As of October 2026, Shun's sharpening page states that Kai offers complimentary sharpening for life on Shun cutlery purchased through authorized dealers. The sharpening itself is free. You pay a shipping and processing fee, which Kai lists as $15 for the US and $25 for Mexico and Canada. Kai states that requests without the fee cannot be processed. The page indicates you can list several knives on one form, so check the form for how the fee applies to your shipment. Kai states that it sharpens double-bevel knives at 16 degrees per side, which matches Shun's factory angle, and that single-bevel knives are sharpened in their original factory manner. The service also covers repair of microchips, small chips and tips, and honing of serrated blades and shears. | Item | What Kai states | | --- | --- | | Cost of sharpening | Free for life | | Shipping and processing fee | $15 US, $25 Canada and Mexico | | Eligibility | Shun products bought in the US, Canada or Mexico from authorized dealers | | Double-bevel angle | 16 degrees | | Repairs included | Microchips, small chips and tips | | Mail-in turnaround | About 2 weeks, plus shipping time | | Local drop-off | Tualatin, Oregon, Monday to Friday | Shun sharpening and repair service, as of October 2026 (per shun.kaiusa.com) ## What the service does not cover Kai's page lists several things it cannot do through the sharpening service. As of October 2026 these include sharpening serrated knives and scissors, repairing handles, polishing or re-etching blades, thinning blade stock, replacing rivets, and repairing large chips or cracks in the blade. Large chips and broken tips beyond what Kai can reshape may need a professional sharpener or a replacement. For DIY options, see our pages on a [chipped Japanese knife](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/chipped-japanese-knife), a [broken knife tip](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/broken-knife-tip-fix) and a [loose or cracked handle](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/loose-or-cracked-knife-handle). ## How to send Shun knives for sharpening Kai's instructions as of October 2026 work out to the steps below. Download the current form from the sharpening page on shun.kaiusa.com rather than relying on an old printout, because addresses and fees can change. 1. Clean every knife. Kai states that knives must be free of dirt, oil, food and other residue. 2. Download the Sharpening Request Form from Kai's Shun site and print two copies. List each knife on the form. 3. Add payment for the shipping and processing fee: a check or money order payable to Kai USA Ltd., or card details in the space on the form. 4. Wrap each blade in thick cardboard or a blade guard and tape it closed so the edge cannot cut through. 5. Pack the knives in a sturdy box with padding so they cannot shift. Do not ship in an envelope. 6. Put the form and payment in the box and ship it to Kai USA Ltd., Shun Warranty Dept., 18600 SW Teton Avenue, Tualatin, OR 97062 (address as listed in October 2026). 7. Use a trackable shipping service and keep the receipt. Expect about 2 weeks of service time plus transit. Note: Check the address, fee and form on Kai's own page before you ship. This page reflects what Kai published as of October 2026. ## Local drop-off in Tualatin, Oregon If you live near Kai USA's Tualatin, Oregon facility, you can bring knives in person. As of October 2026, Kai's page states you may drop off up to 2 knives for same-day service, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, and that 3 or more knives will be ready the next business day. Confirm hours on Kai's site before you go, since holiday closures and schedule changes happen. ## Shun warranty vs sharpening service The warranty is separate from sharpening. As of October 2026, Kai describes a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner against manufacturing defects in material and construction. It applies to products from authorized dealers. Kai states that any use other than cutting, such as stabbing or prying, is misuse and voids the warranty, and it advises against cutting bones, frozen food or produce pits. Normal wear, rust, and damage from improper use, maintenance or accidents are excluded. To make a warranty claim, Kai asks you to send the product to its Tualatin warranty department for evaluation, with the return shipping and processing fee ($15 US, $25 Canada and Mexico as of October 2026). Kai decides whether the issue is a defect. Chips from hitting bone or a dishwasher cycle are usually treated as misuse, so the cheaper route is often a sharpening request that includes small chip repair. Buying from an authorized dealer matters for both services. Kai publishes lists of authorized and unauthorized dealers on its site. Our [where to buy Japanese knives](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/where-to-buy-japanese-knives) page covers how to avoid gray-market sellers. ## Keeping your Shun sharp between services Mailing knives every few months is slow, so most owners hone regularly and touch up at home. Shun's double-bevel knives use a 16 degree angle, which you can hold on a whetstone or with a guided sharpener. Our [how to sharpen Shun knives](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/how-to-sharpen-shun-knives) page explains the method, the [sharpening angle finder](https://edgeandhaft.com/tools/sharpening-angle-finder) shows how high to lift the spine, and [best sharpeners for Japanese knives](https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-sharpeners-for-japanese-knives) lists tools that can hold the angle. Hand wash and dry your Shun knives, cut on wood or soft plastic, and avoid bones and frozen food. Those habits prevent most of the damage the service cannot fix. Thinking about adding to your set? See our [best Shun knives](https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-shun-knives) guide and [are Shun knives good](https://edgeandhaft.com/blog/are-shun-knives-good). [See the best Shun knives](https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-shun-knives) ## Frequently asked questions **Does Shun really sharpen knives for free?** As of October 2026, yes. Kai sharpens Shun knives from authorized dealers for free for life. You pay a shipping and processing fee of $15 in the US. **Will Shun fix a chipped knife?** Kai's page says the service repairs microchips, small chips and tips. Large chips and cracks are not covered by the sharpening service. **Where do I send Shun knives for sharpening?** As of October 2026, Kai lists Kai USA Ltd., Shun Warranty Dept., 18600 SW Teton Avenue, Tualatin, OR 97062. Confirm on Kai's site first. **How long does Shun sharpening take?** Kai estimates about 2 weeks for mail-in service, plus shipping time each way. ## Gear guides for this topic - https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-shun-knives - https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-sharpeners-for-japanese-knives - https://edgeandhaft.com/best/best-whetstone-sets ## Sources - [Shun sharpening service (Kai USA)](https://shun.kaiusa.com/sharpening) - [Shun warranty (Kai USA)](https://shun.kaiusa.com/warranty)