Save Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife

I tried this against what we had considered our absolute best knives. One is the top of the line Wusthof.

I sharpened all the knives to the point where I felt they could be sharpened no more. I did not sharpen the Shun.

I then took string beans, normal green string beans, and I tried each knife at cutting off the tops while holding them in my hands in mid air.

It was a random event as to whether or not any of the other knives would actually cut the bean. Most often the bean would break or the knife would just bend it. But with some effort I was able to get the Wusthov to work.

The Shun, sliced through them like butter almost every time. Hit the top on one side, gone, the other side and into the bowl.

I did this on two pounds of beans and by the time I got to the second pound, the Shun had not only Wun (pun intended), it had wiped out the competition. I am sold.

I will try to post a video of this test at a later time. I was shocked by the result.Get more detail about Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife.

Shop For Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife

I tried this against what we had considered our absolute best knives. One is the top of the line Wusthof.

I sharpened all the knives to the point where I felt they could be sharpened no more. I did not sharpen the Shun.

I then took string beans, normal green string beans, and I tried each knife at cutting off the tops while holding them in my hands in mid air.

It was a random event as to whether or not any of the other knives would actually cut the bean. Most often the bean would break or the knife would just bend it. But with some effort I was able to get the Wusthov to work.

The Shun, sliced through them like butter almost every time. Hit the top on one side, gone, the other side and into the bowl.

I did this on two pounds of beans and by the time I got to the second pound, the Shun had not only Wun (pun intended), it had wiped out the competition. I am sold.

I will try to post a video of this test at a later time. I was shocked by the result.Get more detail about Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife.

Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife Get it now!

Knives are an ancient tool and one might wonder if any further improvements are possible now that chipped stones have been replaced with steel. The answer is yes. First, knife design is an active subject. There are numerous custom knifemakers working today who produce some beautiful handcrafted pieces, a blend of art and function.

Unfortunately, most newly designed knives are for hunting or self-defense - anything but the kitchen where people actually use knives every day. Ken Onion is an exception, a well known designer; I applaud him for applying thought and art to kitchen tools.

The second area of advance is in steel and manufacturing; in this the Japanese maker Shun is a leader. They have learned to bring high tech steel and damascus composites to a broad market by advanced fabrication. In my opinion they make the best kitchen knives in the world; I have five. Many of their blades combine two or more different types of steel. The inner steel core is designed for edge holding, combined with multi layers outside designed for strength and durability, and a graceful damascene texture.

I'm giving this model four stars because the item I received is not quite as nicely shaped as the catalog picture, and the curved handle, while lovely, only fits the hand in one position whereas the more traditional Japanese style is more flexible. Pretty is not the same as functional.

There are several Shun lines and many models. I especially like the slim SG-0401 with a more conventional Japanese shape. The "Alton's Angle" model DM 0721 is highly recommended, and Shun also makes an unusual design DM 0741 which looks like an oversized sandwich spreader with a serrated edge - funny looking but brilliant in use.

A knife for daily use is a highly personal choice. I recommend trying knives in a shop rather than buying online, especially if you can find a dealer who stocks different Shun's.Get more detail about Shun Ken Onion 4 Inch Chef's Knife.