At first glance, Shun Classic knives immediately stand out for their sleek black handles and ripple-patterned, Damascus-style blades. Intriguing as they look, the knives really impress when you start to cut--they are incredibly sharp, and seem to melt through everything from a soft tomato to a hard squash. Differing from top-quality German knives, which have a 22 degree angle, Japanese-made Shun knives are formed with an acute 16 degree angle that won't bend or waver due to the hardness of the VG-10 steel core used in their construction. Clad with 32 layers of high-carbon stainless steel (16 on each side), the blades resist rusting and maintain their razor edge for a considerable time. The Damascus ripples create tiny air pockets that help prevent food from sticking, resulting in uniformly thin slices. Made of a resin and hardwood fusion known as PakkaWood, the handles form a "D" or slight tear-drop profile with a single ridge that fits a right-handed user most comfortably. While dishwasher-safe, Shun knives should be carefully washed and dried by hand, then stored in a wooden block. Shun knives make exceptional gifts for the home chef, and are covered by a lifetime warranty.
