Best Japanese
Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef Knife
Shun
16-degree inclusive edge is noticeably sharper out of the box than any 28-degree German grind
- VG-Max steel core clad in 34 layers of stainless Damascus
- 60 to 61 HRC hardness
- 16-degree inclusive edge grind
- D-shaped pakkawood handle (left-handed version available)
- 7.7-ounce weight, balance forward of the bolster
- Free lifetime sharpening by mail from Shun
Pros
- 16-degree inclusive edge is noticeably sharper out of the box than any 28-degree German grind
- Th in grind splits dense carrots and squash with less resistance and less onion-cell crushing
- Free lifetime sharpening by mail removes the barrier of learning whetstone technique
- Edge retention outlasts every German knife on this list, running 4 to 6 weeks between sharpenings
- 5,200 ratings at 4.7 stars with most negative reviews tracing to misuse, not manufacturing defects
Cons
- Harder 60 to 61 HRC steel chips if twisted laterally against bone or frozen food
- Must be maintained on a whetstone; a grooved honing steel will chip the th in edge
- D-shaped handle is polarizing for left-handed cooks unless they buy the left-handed version
- Not suited to aggressive rock-chopping on a glass cutting board
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