Shun Classic 6" Utility Knife

Great knife, well balanced and very sharp. Wasn’t sure if I wanted to buy a knife off of Amazon however gave it a go and not disappointed. Great price and outstanding quality

First off, this knife is beautiful. The wood handle and steel cap give it a sophisticated look, but most of all, it is the Damascus blade that really makes it a show-off.Back before guns, a lot of effort went into making steel sharp for swords. The Damascus technique involves folding steel tens or hundreds of times to achieve the ultimate in sharpness, and it dates back hundreds of years.This knife is a reference to those ancient swordmakers, but not exactly. Unlike true Damascus knives, Shun knives are laminated: the inner layer is a high-tech piece of expensive super-steel (called VG-10) and the outer layers (protecting the inner and bringing down the cost) are a more ordinary stainless steel. Unlike the swords of old, only the outer layers on this knife are folded. The VG-10 inner part, the part the edge is made from and the part that cuts, is a single forged piece. So in this knife, the Damascus pattern is more for looks than performance. Perhaps it also helps keep food from sticking.However I don't care what it is for - it looks fantastic. It also gives an exotic, handmade look to your kitchen cutlery. Normally Damascus knives are much, much more expensive.As for cutting, the VG-10 super steel combined with the Japanese obsession with ultra-thin, ultra-sharp edges make this knife wickedly sharp. The VG-10 core is designed to keep an edge for a long time, however all straight edged knives will need sharpening. If you never bother to sharpen your knives, get a serrated knife instead.The handle is a wood product. It is based on wood, but resin-injected and sealed so it repels water. Shun advertises it as dishwasher safe, but that would be like putting your fine china in the dishwasher - you could do it, but why take the chance? If you do dishwash it, you might want to take it out before the drying cycle, and keep the blade away from anything that could nick it.This knife is very light and sharp. The 6" length is very useful to me. I use it sometimes as a slicer, sometimes as a parer, and sometimes as a sandwich knife. It has become my main go-to knife for small jobs. Unlike other, duller knife brands, this straight-edge knife has no problem cutting bread or tomatoes.All in all, this is my ideal balance of performance and looks. There are cheaper knives on the market that perform just as well (some 1/3rd the price) but none that look as good, at any price. It is worth it to me, especially since knives generally last for decades, sometimes lifetimes.

Love this knife. Excellent quality. Super sharp; effortless slicing. I do think it should come with its own sleeve, however, especially for the price.

Exactly as advertised and wicked sharp. I’ve only had for 1 day so I can’t speak to durability.

Look, if you’re serious about cooking, like I am, then like my pappy said, you need the right tools for the job. I mean, what’s a doctor without a speculum? Or a roofer without a pick up truck? Or a government employee without an intelligence problem? You need the best stuff you can get ITK – in the kitchen. Keep up with me here. First of all, you’ll need a really good molecular slicing utility. You non-geeks might refer to this as a knife. I prefer the Shun line of professional knives because of how they look and feel. I mean, how cool is it to have a sexy Japanese knife? It comes super sharp, so be careful with it. Yes, they’re a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for. You’ll need to sharpen these once in a while, but they’ll last forever. I have had my set since 2011, and they're still sharp and wonderful. There's something about how Shun engineering manages to balance these knives - it's like they become part of you. They are so comfortable to use, and when maintained properly, it takes very little effort to cut vegetables and meats. I'm now expanding my set of Shuns for a new cooking show. Try one - you too will be impressed.

The media could not be loaded. I purchased the Shun Classic Blonde 6" Utility Knife and 7" Santoku Knife together, and they have completely transformed my kitchen experience. From the first use, I could tell these knives were a serious upgrade. The steel blades are razor-sharp, making slicing, dicing, and chopping feel effortless. I love how smoothly they glide through everything, whether I’m prepping vegetables, slicing meat, or handling more delicate tasks.The 6" utility knife has become my go-to for smaller, precise cuts, while the 7" Santoku is an absolute powerhouse for chopping, mincing, and slicing. The Damascus stainless steel cladding not only adds durability but also gives the knives a beautiful, high-end look that I love having in my kitchen. The blonde Pakkawood handles are comfortable, lightweight, and feel perfectly balanced in my hand, making long cooking sessions so much easier.If you’re someone who loves to cook or simply wants to make meal prep easier and more enjoyable, I can’t recommend these knives enough. They are worth every penny and truly feel like an investment that will last for years. If you’re on the fence, trust me - you won’t regret adding these to your kitchen!