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Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife
Made in the ancient city of Seki, Japan, Shun knives rely on extremely sharp blades, made of Japanese VG10 steel clad with 32 layers (16 on each side) of a proprietary blend of high-carbon stainless pounded so thin, it delivers precision slicing, cutting and chopping that is unprecedented by any of its German competitors. Imagine, a knife made the same way as ancient Samurai swords, handcrafted still today. Sharper out of the box than other knives, the Shun Classic maintains its sharpness longer, since the finely-polished blade edge has a natural tendency to remain straighter, yet when required, it can be honed using a standard steel or sent to the factory for free sharpening. The wavy, Damascus-look pattern on the blade creates minute air pockets that offer stick resistance, so food releases easier and prep time is reduced--plus it's rust-free. The ebony Pakka wood handle, a highly durable combination of layers of white birch wood and resin, is designed in a ???D??? shape to fit firmly and comfortably in the hand, with the bonus of being dishwasher safe and NSF approved for commercial kitchens. You don't need to be a Japanese sushi chef to appreciate the precision and lightness of this 8-inch Chef's knife. The long, slightly curved blade allows the home or pro chef to work in the efficient rolling motion for chopping and dicing, especially ideal for dense vegetables and fruits. Th
Made from VG-10 stainless steel, Shun knives are specially constructed to be harder, less brittle, but also more flexible than traditional steel formulations. The VG-10 core is then clad with 16 full layers of SUS410 high-carbon stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers. These layers not only protect the VG-10, they create an exquisitely-detailed surface reminiscent of Damascus or pattern-forged steel, the kind once used for Samurai swords. As a result, the knives are simply stunning to look at--much like antique Damascus knives but without their tendency to rust. As an additional benefit, the slight patterning helps slice rather than crush delicate foods and keeps cut food from sticking to the blade. The large 8-inch blade of this Shun chef's knife makes it ideal for versatile slicing, chopping, dicing, and more. Like many Asian-style knives, the knife's handle is especially suited to smaller users. In contrast to the traditional round profile, however, Shun's are D-shaped to prevent the knife from twisting in the hand, providing extra stability and a firm grip. The handle is made from ebony-colored PakkaWood, a fused blend of hardwood veneers imbued with waterproof resin that combines the warmth and traditional look and feel of wood with the strength and durability of plastic. The offset stainless steel bolster is designed for ergonomic comfort and maximum safety, while a stainless-steel end cap provides the finishing touch. As sturdy as it is lovely, the chef's knife is officially safe to put in the dishwasher--although it's so good-looking you might find yourself hard-pressed to do so. Shun knives carry a limited lifetime warranty. --Mary Park
Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife Accessories
 Shun Sharpening Steel
Shun Classic 3-1/2-Inch Paring Knife
Shun Classic 6 Inch Utility Knife
Shun Combination Whetstone
Shun Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife
Shun Classic 4 Inch Paring Knife
Shun Classic 7-Inch Santoku Hollow Ground
Shun Classic U2 (Ultimate Utility) Knife
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Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife Reviews
Super sharp, comfortable to use, lightweight, great looking, very happy until. Suggestions for stain removal are most welcome, as I love the look of this knife. I'm dissapointed because the knife is only a week old and I handwash soon after every use. Not sure if this is normal, or if the blade is faulty. The stains look like water marks but conventional cleaning does not remove them. used the knife to cut tomatoes which stained the stainless steel blade.
Just keep in mind, that is VERY sharp. This is one amazing Chef's knife.
This knife is pretty easy to keep razor sharp if you steel it regularly. The Shun came out of the package with an incredible edge, and with proper care it keeps that edge for a long time. It's really the work horse of my kitchen; I probably use it twice as much as any other knife. Since purchasing it and falling in love, I've added other Shun knives to my collection, and my knife set at home is now Shun too. I found that the curve on the blade was nicely suited to my chopping style, not too steep or shallow.
I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I've cooked with this knife for two years now, as the sous chef in a restaurant. It does hard vegetables like turnips and rutabagas with a lot less pressure than other knives I've used, and it does regular dicing very quickly. It's performance that matters, and this knife delivered. The handles are also well-formed, and my hands don't get tired even after hours of prep work. This knife is very pretty, but looks aren't really a consideration if you're looking for a utilitarian knife to use in a restaurant.
Before the Shun, I used a Henckel set, which were perfectly adequate, but now when I pick up my Henckel 8" it feels blunt and a little unwieldy.
I'm still adjusting to losing the smooth and easy food release of the Santoku blade, but, the trade-off in comfort is worth it. Very happy with this purchase, and I'm looking forward to a long veggie prep, canning and soup season this year. I've been having a lot of trouble finding a knife with a comfortable grip, and therefore having some trouble holding the knife properly and consistently for long periods of time. I took a chance in buying this knife, first, because of the expense, and second, the purchase was sight unseen (which I wouldn't recommend anyone doing at this price point). I settled last year for a Santoku from Henckels, which I still really like, but it just wasn't, you know, *it*.
(Of course, now I'm eyeing the 7" Santoku from Shun.). The first time I grasped the Shun out of the box, it just fit it was like it was made for my hand. It almost dares me to hold it incorrectly. I'm happy and relieved it paid off.
The fact it looks good is a bonus. The angle and type of steel keeps it sharp and easy to keep sharp. Having a knife that fits your hand and is balanced makes prep a snap.
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