Shun Cutlery Premier Chef's Knife 8”, Thin, Light Kitchen Knife, Ideal for All-Around Food Preparation, Authentic, Handcrafted Japanese Knife, Professional Chef Knife

Beautiful knife that fits great in the hand, has just the right weight and cuts amazing. I cook daily and have used the knife at least 5 days a week for about a month now and it’s still sharp as ever.

I really appreciate this Shun. It was my first high end Japanese knife and introduced me to that style of knife which I am now in love with. It has a stunning mirrored finish, damascus pattern and handle. The knife itself is super sharp and holds an edge really well. It is true VG10 steel and holds its edge as such. Large blade makes short work of veggies and meats, however knife is nimble enough for delicate tasks as well. Shun includes lifetime knife sharpening for only like $5 for the first knife and $2 per additional knife which is just shipping costs which I view as a great value, not that you will need to sharpen these a ton. As for some of the negative reviews about chipping... honestly ignore them. As I have gotten into cooking and moved into the world of high end products I have seen a myriad of negative reviews on products like Le Creuset, John Boos Blocks, KitchenAid stand mixers, etc. In my pretty substantial experience these all seem to be from people who enjoy cooking so they buy a high end item and have absolutely no idea how to use or care for the item. They think because its expensive its invincible which is just not the case. I have use this knife a lot, accidentally nicked bones, cut on harder surfaces, etc. and nothing has damaged this knife with reasonable care. Yes, if you are going to take it and whack it on a chicken bone or cut on a marble countertop you may chip it. These are all things it says not to do. There is no way in hell you are going to cut veggies or meat on a wood block or plastic board and chip this thing, especially using the correct cutting motion. All that being said, I have a Miyabi Birchwood SG2 8" chefs knife that I mostly use instead of this. Its just got an even sharper angled edge and is made of an even harder material making cutting even easier. But it should be, this knife goes for $180 that one goes for $250-300 depending on sales. If you have the money I would consider looking towards a Shun or Miyabi with SG2 level steel.

So I was cutting some carrots, but I'm not used to a knife this long (usually I use a 6" knife for cooking). I accidentally skimmed my finger with this knife. At first I didn't realize I'd broken the skin, because it didn't really hurt at first and I couldn't see a cut. After a few seconds of searching, I realized there was actually a significant cut; it was just so fine and clean that it stayed sealed shut and invisible for a solid 20 seconds before it finally started to bleed. It reminded me of the end of the Underworld movie. So yeah. This is a sharp knife. Goes through carrots and other things with minimal resistance. The knife seems very well built. I will be more careful in the future.

I absolutely love this knife. It was incredibly sharp right out of the box and the edge is holding up very well. The finish is still bright and polished with no rust or scratches, looks perfect. I am enjoying the longer 10" blade it provides some extra utility but may not be for everyone, it is a lot of knife. I am not getting any fatigue or hotspots like I have with some of my other chefs knifes with extended use. You truly get what you pay for and it was worth every penny. Its enjoyable to use and look forward to getting to use it.

I've owned one of these before, years ago. It was either stolen, or lost in a move. Either way, I am starting a new Chef job soon, so I immediately purchased another one. I used it every day at my old job. It's a workhorse. The 16° edge is razor sharp & cuts through pretty much anything effortlessly. Veggies, Meats, herbs, fruit. Etc. This thing is literally a tiny samurai sword. My knife is beautifully balanced, and very easy to index where the tip is. The handle is pretty comfortable. It has a swell in it so it feels good and secure in my hand. My only criticism of the knife is the handle is a little long. While holding it correctly in a "Pinch-Grip" fashion, there is quite a bit of wood remaining below my hand.

Wow! These are the best knives I have ever used.

Well-made knife, equal to or better than the German products. Extremely sharp and holds an edge well.

Extremely beautiful design, perfect edge angle, and an incredible cutting feel! However, be careful not to cut hard ingredients . the blade is very thin and the steel is quite hard, so it can chip easily if used on hard ！

Cuchillos caros pero EXCELENTES!!!! Gran distribución de peso, excelente metal, filo increíble y diseño verdaderamente hermoso... Pero por su precio no lo recomiendo para quien no sepa afilar adecuadamente con piedra, sería un desperdicio.

As a professional chef I’ve had more than my fair share of great knife and this knife is as functional as it is beautiful. The Damascus pattern flows flawlessly into the high polished hammer marks. The blade is razor sharp and seems to hold its edge forever. The handle is gorgeous but very comfortable and well balanced in the hand.

I'll give it tonyou straight. In use, the knife feels immediately responsive; the balance between blade and handle invites thoughtful technique rather than brute cutting. The edge glides through dense vegetables and proteins with a level of refinement that reveals why Shun remains a benchmark in premium kitchen cutlery. The VG-Max steel core maintains sharpness far beyond the lifespan of typical stainless alternatives, and it can recover its edge with a honing session rather than requiring constant sharpening. Visually, this knife borders on art. The walnut pakkawood handle is elegantly shaped and warm to hold, complementing the shimmering, wave-patterned steel. Taken together—the patterning, the hammered surface, the polished spine—this is a chef’s knife designed not just to perform, but to elevate the entire experience of cooking.

Worth every dollar.

Beautiful 10" blade and very sharp, loved it. Great craftsmanship.