Shun SG0404 Elite 8-Inch Chef's Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)First and foremost, let me start this review with a few general notes...
I am NOT a professional chef- I work in finance. I am a cooking enthusiast who decided to get serious about my kitchen. I admit that my needs are vastly different from those of a culinary professional.
That said, I must mention that reviews are great but I highly recommend going to a local kitchen supply store that will allow you to test drive knives.
Just about every celebrity chef has his or her own preference- I first heard about Shun knives from Alton Brown, who uses Shun Classics. I happen to prefer the Elites and my brother swears by Wusthof. The other reviewer of this item prefers Global.
The reason for the wide variety of opinion is that buying knives is a very personal thing- what's right for one might be very wrong for another! The only way to ensure you are happy with your investment is to take each for a spin and decide for yourself.
One more general word of wisdom- don't buy a set unless you would buy each and every component independently. Manufacturers have a bad habit of including one or two items that you really don't need, like a tomato knife or three different sizes of utility knife. Common sense says don't pay for the extra knife/accessory you don't need and therefore won't use.
Now, let's review this knife...
At $220 it should go without saying, but I'll say it for the sake of being thorough: this knife is sharp, *extremely* sharp. However, my personal feeling is that when you reach these high end price tags, you will find that all of the major brands will give you an adequately sharp blade. Beyond that, you need to concern yourself with edge durability and comfort.
As for durability, I'll say again that at this end of the price range you should naturally expect to get a knife that will last decades- no matter what brand you buy. The differentiator here has little to do with whether or not the knife will break, but rather how often you'll need to hone and sharpen your blades. (Honing and sharpening are NOT the same thing.)
While I haven't owned this knife long enough to make promises regarding the edge durability, the SG-2 alloy used in the Shun Elite will supposedly hold it's edge for quite a long time- even longer than the VG-10 used in the Shun Classics. If true, this would mean you could expect to get more cutting done between honings. Again, I can't vouch that this is true but that is the expectation Shun has set.
Finally, we come to comfort- you just have to feel comfort for yourself, but here are a few of my thoughts. Let me start with the comfort factors I *didn't* like about the competitors:
Global: Weight & handle length. For me, the Global was just too light. It is a proverbial feather. I fully understand that this would be a huge benefit were I chopping, dicing, and mincing for hours every day- but I don't. And since I'm a somewhat burly fellow, the lack of heft was disorienting for me. The handle is also a little on the short side for my big hands, which left the end of the handle bumping into the inside of my palm.
Wusthof & Henckels: Weight & handle shape. Both of these German-made knives are like battle axes. Holding them, I felt that if raging barbarian hordes stormed my kitchen I would be able to defend myself by wielding a Wusthof/Henckels as a broadsword and my dutch oven lid as a shield. They both seemed to be strong on power and brute force at the expense of agility and nimbleness. The handles felt quite boxy and lacked any elegance to their touch. (The Henckels was a little smoother than the Wusthof but both were very boxy.)
Now for what I liked about the Shun...
The handle was curvaceous, contouring to the peaks and valleys of my fingers and palms. The length was just right so that the knife felt perfectly balanced in my hand. The weight was neither too heavy nor too light. I felt like I could muster enough force to chop through anything, yet maintain grace and control while doing so. I attribute this to the thin 16 degree edge of the Shun, as opposed to the "normal" 22 degree edge of most knives.
While the Classic and the Elite had different handles, both were quite comfy and ergonomic. The winning element of the Elite over the Classic was the ambidexterity of the handle. You must choose either right or left handed with the Classic, which is a problem for me since I'm a lefty and my wife is a righty.In the end, settling on the Elite was a very easy decision for me but it could not have been made without holding and cutting with each knife myself. Even if everything I have just described resonates with your personal tastes please please please make sure you go out and try before you buy.
Admittedly, I did not purchase from Amazon but not because of price! There was actually no material price difference between Amazon and my local store. I simply felt honour-bound to buy from the folks who allowed me to test drive the knives.

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The ancient traditions of Japanese samurai sword-making, meet today's state-of-the-art steel technology in the new Shun Elite series of knives by Kai.Like the traditional samurai sword blade, Shun Elite is extremely sharp and flexible; ideal for food preparation.But unlike the traditional blade, Shun Elite features a center layer of a new type of "super steel" called SG-2.This new "super steel" starts out in a powdered form.Under heat and pressure it combines to make a much denser alloy which in turn creates the finest molecular structure used in knife making today.The result is an edge that will hold longer than any other steel on the market.Even better for busy chefs.Shun Elite's superior edge will respond quickly and easily to a honing steel when it needs a quick touchup.For added strength and protection, the SG-2 is clade between two outer layers of quality 410A stainless steel for beauty and tireless handling.Shun Elite features an ergonomic handle of handsome PakkaWood®.This premium-quality hardwood laminate combines the beauty and feel of hardwoods with the strength and performance of plastic.Inlaid with a traditional symbol, the handle is also enhanced by thin rings of brass and copper separating it from the bolster. With this kind of beauty and performance, Shun Elite will soon become the knife chefs reach for again and again.

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Global 4-Inch Paring Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)While renovating my meager kitchen, I recently splurged, spending over $330 on two Shun Elite knives. They were hand made Japanese knives--sexy and sleek, beautiful to look at it--and very sharp with a gleaming edge. They caught your eye with a dazzling patterned blade.
A friend, inspired by my kitchen equipment renovation, went out and bought Global knives, preferring them for his high-tech shiny stainless kitchen. He asked me over for a cutlery show-down with my new Shun Elites. I was ready to rub his Globals into the dust with my Shun Elites!
After an entire afternoon of chopping and comparing, we both came to the same overwhelming conclusion--the Globals were sharper and easier to use. It's not that they are sharper per say, but if you examine them closely, the Global's edges are slightly concave, and are burred and rough, while the Shun Elites are polished to a gleaming and shiny finish, and taper to a much more straight point. My friend and I both felt that the Global's burred concave edges allowed the Globals to sorta gripe and slice/slid through everything from carrots to meat with more ease than the Shun's polished and acute edge. Because of this ease, we can also logically foresee the Global's staying sharper longer as well, despite the higher rockwell rating of the Shun's high tech SG-2 powder steel. However, who knows...?
We even tried shaving hair off of our arms, and the Globals won this test with ease. They are incredibly balanced and just seem to bounce in your hands.
This "Spear" 4" paring knife in particuar has a funky "ergonomic" handle that many have critizized, but I LOVE it! I fits my large manly man hands WONDERFULLY and makes this knife everything I have wanted in a small paring style knife. I can see where if you had smaller hands, this might not be the right choice for you--you might want to check out Global's Western style paring knife, which feels like the same ol' Henckels or Wusthoff to me--MUCH prefer the more comfortable and molded feel of this much more modern design...!
I loved my Shun Elites--they were sexy and beautiful. But the Globals were obviously designed by and for chefs--they are much easier and nicer to use, and as I said, they just effortlessly (read rip) through any food with no effort at all; I was very impressed--so much so that I returned my Shun Elites and exchanged them for a complete set of Globals, which are less than half the cost of the Elites--and I got twice as many knives (never have had a good bread or boning knife before!)
I highly recommend that if you are searching for truly sharp (as in Hello, Mr. Winter Squash!), easy to use kitchen cutlery, that feels like an extension of your hand and arm, that you check out Globals--the Shun Elites possibly as well. They are both wonderful knives, but I genuinely have to say I see why Globals are so popular with professional Chefs--they are awesome knives--maybe not as sexy and hand crafted as the Shun's, but they more than make up for that with an incredible ergonomic ease and free flowing sharpness that makes them a joy to use.

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Global GS-7 4" Parer

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Global G-16 10-Inch Chef's Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)I actually bought this knife locally and compared with the 8.25" GF-33, 10.5" GF-34 and 11" G-17 without knowing the size of each (they were pulled bare from a display case.) This forced me to pick the knife that actually felt best in my hands. I already own the 6.25" chef's knife so the 8.25 was out. The two bigger knives felt, well, too big and heavy. The 10" felt just right when held properly - thumb and forefinger on the aft most portion of the blade (just ahead of the handle.) The long slender profile really works in a knife of this length. It makes it feel more manageable without sacrificing the strengthes. The strengthes are of course more "rocking" length and more momentum when slicing. You cut right through an onion with minimal effort. If I were starting all over I'd skip the 6.25 and go straight for the 10. That being said, you really should hold a knife before you buy it since personal preference means everything.

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This 10-in. Chef's Knife is the perfect all purpose knife for those like a longer blade or for slicing large ingredients.Loved by professional chefs around the world, Global knives are an excellent choice for the serious home cook.The thin and razor sharp Global blade allows the cook to cleanly slice through foods, preserving the integrity of the ingredient and maximizing its flavor.The majority of Global knives are ground to a straight point rather than the western style of beveling the edge. To balance their knives Global uses a hollow handle that is filled with just the right amount of sand to create the correct balance. The handle has its own unique darkened dimples for a non-slip grip.Because the knives are very light weight they reduce hand fatigue.Global knives have a smooth contour and seamless, all stainless construction that eliminates food and dirt traps.Global knifes are forged in Japan from CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel, a blend of 18 percent chromium for good stain resistance plus molybdenum and vanadium which gives excellent edge retention.

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Shun Classic 9-Inch Slicing Knife with Scallops Review

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(More customer reviews)Kershaw-Shun makes the best knives I've ever owned, bar none. They come with a razor edge and are easy to re-hone with just a few strokes on the Kershaw-Shun steel (well worth purchasing to accompany this set). All their knives utilize the damascus pattern and perfectly crafted profile slice through darn near anything (food-like anyway) with ease. The scalloped detailing on this one creates air pockets which prevent food from adhering to the sides, creating even better cutting efficiency than their already high level. I can cut perfectly thin, beautiful slices from any fish time after time using this fine knife. The weight and balance are perfect. It is designed for right-handed chefs with a d-shaped handle so if you are a leftie it may not be as comfortable or easy to use.

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This stunningly beautiful line of cutlery features the look and benefits of Damascus steel, yet without its rusting problems. The Damascus-look blade profile reduces sticking and results in less damage to the food being cut and faster prep times.

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MAC brand "Superior" Knife Set (SU-27) Review

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(More customer reviews)I don't believe there is a better knife made. I am still using a set I was given in the early 70's, so I bought this one as a gift. Be careful, they are sharp!!

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This "Superior" series MAC knife set comes with one #SA-70 (7" blade) all-purpose utility knife and one #SP-50 (5" blade) paring and slicing knife. This updated line of MAC knives has an improve alloy to provide a longer lasting edge and to make resharpening easier.Used by top chefs around the world!

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Global G-2 8-Inch 20cm Cook's Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the first global knives I bought. I loved it the first time I held it in my hands. What impressed me most was the perfect balance, the lightweight, and the sharpness. However, what may be perfect for me may not be perfect for you. I'd recommend anyone who is shopping for cutlery to go to a store and try how the knife feels in your hands before buying. And if you can borrow from a friend to try, that's even better.
Having used this knife for several years now, my initial impressions haven't changed. This is still my favorite knife for most tasks. I maintain it regularly with a steel and it is as sharp as it ever was. I have found though that for certain tasks like cutting slits into an onion for dicing or cutting root vegetables, I do prefer a heavier knife (that's why I bought another forged global knife), but that is just personal preference. All in all, a great general purpose kitchen knife.

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This 8-in. all-purpose Chef's Knife is Global's most popular knife.Your top choice for slicing large quantities of vegetables, fruit and meat quickly and effectively.Loved by professional chefs around the world, Global knives are an excellent choice for the serious home cook.The thin and razor sharp Global blade allows the cook to cleanly slice through foods, preserving the integrity of the ingredient and maximizing its flavor.The majority of Global knives are ground to a straight point rather than the western style of beveling the edge. To balance their knives Global uses a hollow handle that is filled with just the right amount of sand to create the correct balance. The handle has its own unique darkened dimples for a non-slip grip.Because the knives are very light weight they reduce hand fatigue.Global knives have a smooth contour and seamless, all stainless construction that eliminates food and dirt traps.Global knifes are forged in Japan from CROMOVA 18 Stainless Steel, a blend of 18 percent chromium for good stain resistance plus molybdenum and vanadium which gives excellent edge retention.

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Shun DM0705 Classic 9-Inch Bread Knife Review

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(More customer reviews)My experience with bread knives had generally left me feeling that they are never particularly sharp, but make up for it with a toothy serrated edge that digs into food. When you're talking about bread that counts for a lot. Bread isn't exactly the toughest thing a knife has to deal with.
Based on that previous experience, this breadknife didn't look terribly impressive. The serrations are smooth and rounded rather than aggressive and toothy. It didn't look like something that would bite into bread. But I'd read a rave review of it, and everything else I read about Kai knives was overwhelmingly positive. I've also had very good luck with Japanese cutlery, so I thought I'd give it a shot.
It cuts like a laser. Slides right through breads and salami (which I end up using it for all the time) very smoothly and with very little effort. The blade is razor sharp, which I learned when I got a little careless (didn't used to have respect for breadknives, remember) and it sliced off the end of a fingernail without the slightest resistance. THAT left me very respectful. The gentle serrations let it dig into it's target without tearing or throwing loose a crumb. It also has a nice, meaty asymmetrical D-shaped handle that really fits in the palm. This may not be for everyone, so give it a whirl before you commit to buying, but I think it's great.
If you need a breadknife and want a quality piece (and if you get a good knife and take care of it you should only need to buy one, ever) this is the hands down obvious choice. It's a bit more expensive than the Major German Brand cutlery, but easily worth it.
As a general comment, I think anyone looking for good kitchen cutlery should consider the Japanese brands first. I've used knives from Global, Kai and Kasumi, and up against Henckels and Wusthof there is just no comparison. We have the Kai breadknife, a Kasumi chef's knife, a Henckel's 4-star chef, Henckel's 4-star santoku, Henckel's 4-star slicer, Wusthof Grand Prix utility, Wusthof Grand Prix parer, Wusthof Classic granton slicer, and a Kyocera ceramic chef's. When I look at the knife block I really just see the Kai breadknife, my Kasumi chef and Those Other Knives.
Any knife shopping I do in the future, I will be looking at Kai first. Kasumi is also an incredible brand, and a bit finer and sharper than Kai, but they run about 50% more. I got my Kasumi chef's as a gift, and it's a treasure, but if I were laying down my own money it's such a close call I'd probably go with Kai, especially since I prefer their handles.

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This stunningly beautiful line of cutlery features the look and benefits of Damascus steel, yet without its rusting problems. The Damascus-look blade profile reduces sticking and results in less damage to the food being cut and faster prep times.

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