Are you looking for a quality chef knife? Then you must have come across a famous Japanese knifemaker shun. Shun has been crafting knife knives for hundreds of years using Japanese ancient knife-making techniques. Shun has a large collection of chef’s knives and among them, Shun Classic is one of the most famous and beautiful ones. It’s a harmonious combination of ancient blade-making tradition and cutting-edge innovation that makes it a multipurpose knife.
Let’s dive deep into this Shun Classic Chef knife review (dm0706 review) to know more about every specific feature and quality of Shun Classic Chef’s knife. Here I have also added users’ questions and thoughts about this kitchen partner.
Quick Overview
If you are in a hurry then before going through this whole shun classic 8” chef’s knife review you can go through this quick overview.
- The blade core is made with exclusive high-carbon VG-MAX stainless steel.
- The core is wrapped by 34 layers of Damascus steel on each side which protects the core from any kind of pressure or damage. So, there is a total of 69 layers of steel in shun classic dm0706 knife.
- It has a razor-sharp 16-degree cutting edge on both sides.
- The blade is rock solid with a Rockwell hardness of around 60.
- The handle is made from Durable ebony pakkawood.
- Shun classic chef knife features a traditional D-shaped handle.
- The blade is 8 inches long with a 5.5-inch handle.
- The blade exterior has a beautiful Damascus pattern. Those layers of stainless steel create a wavy Damascus pattern through the whole blade.
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty for any kind of manufacturing defects.
- Shun provides free sharpening for this knife.
Shun DM0706 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife Review
Where its made
Each piece of shun knives is manufactured in Seki, Japan. Seki is known as the knife and sword-making capital of Japan as craftsmen have been making knives here for 700 years. Every piece of shun knife is handcrafted by expert knife smiths by maintaining ancient Japanese knife-making techniques as mentioned at the beginning of this shun 8-inch chef knife review. While maintaining traditional techniques they also use modern technologies and premium material. Each shun knife takes 100 steps to come to its final condition.
Blade Material
The blade core of the Shun classic knife is made with high-end VG-MAX super steel. VG-MAX is an exclusive and innovative steel formula of Shun. This is steel with extra carbon, tungsten, cobalt, vanadium, and chromium components. Now, you may ask how this component contributes to the quality of the blade.
Carbon is a compulsory component of steel to increase the hardness and durability of knives. Chromium makes the blade rust and corrosion-resistant and cobalt adds more strength. Other components also contribute to the durability, strength, and sharpness of the knife.
This VG-MAX core is protected by 34 layers of stainless Damascus steel on each side. So, there is a total of 69 layers of steel in the classic shun chef knife. These layers protect the core from extra pressure or other kinds of damage.
Blade Design
shun classic 8” knife has a thin Japanese blade profile with a beautiful Damascus pattern. This blade has curves from both the top and bottom parts like other chef’s knives.
Those layers of Damascus steel make a beautiful Damascus pattern through the whole body of the knife as mentioned before in this shun classic knives review(dm0706 review). Those patterns are a combination of straight shapes and wavy shapes. You will find a shun logo on one side of the blade.
Sharpness and Edge
The delicate balance between sharpness and durability is a critical consideration, as heightened sharpness often comes with an increased risk of edge damage. Shun addresses this concern by meticulously calibrating the sharpness and durability of their knives. The result is a blade that is twice as sharp as typical Western knives.
Furthermore, the Shun 8-inch Chef’s Knife is a double bevel, featuring the same cutting angle on both sides. With a resilient core material, this knife maintains its sharp edge for an extended period, minimizing the need for frequent sharpening. Engineered for a smooth, precise slicing motion, it ensures efficiency in your cutting endeavors.
Hardness
As mentioned in the sharpness part of this shun classic 8” review, the edge retention and durability of a knife depend on the hardness of its core material. And hardness depends on the material component and crafting process of the knife. As this shun chef’s knife uses VG-MAX super steel with a total of 69 layers of steel it is actually tough hard.
When it comes to the forging and crafting process, each shun knife goes under more than 100 steps. So, finally, those knives become rock solid.
Handle Material
Shun classic chef knife handle is made with ebony pakkawood. Pakkawood is not natural raw wood, it is a durable resin-based material. Generally, it is a composite of different kinds of hardwood and resin. As a resin-based material pakkawood can hold a shiny color for a long.
Pakkawood makes the handle water and moisture-resistant. Moreover, it doesn’t harbor bacteria so the handle lasts for a long and doesn’t get damaged.
Handle Design
Kai Shun classic knife features a traditional Japanese style D shape handle. Actually, the handle is straight-rounded shaped but it has a slight ridge on the right side. That ridge fits in the grip of the hand and ensures a comfortable and slipless grip. Though this D curve on the right side makes the knife more comfortable for right-handed users, it makes it hard to use for left-handed users.
The whole handle is black in color. It also has a steel end cap with a shun logo at the end of the handle. This steel cap contributes to balancing the knife along with adding beauty.
Tang
Shun Classic knife is a full-tang knife which means a part of the blade goes all the way through the end of the handle. Full tang chef’s knife is always preferred over half tang knives. Because tang adds more durability to the knife. Moreover, it also contributes to the proper balancing of the knife.
Size
shun classic knife has an 8-inch long blade. This is the most used blade size for a chef’s knife. Because with this size of blade, one can do the job of both long and short knife. And the handle is almost 5.5 inches long which is comfortable for both large and small hand users. When it comes to thickness this knife is very thin.
Whether you prefer a shorter or longer version of the same knife, rest assured, there are options to suit your preference. This knife is available in both 6-inch and 10-inch versions. If you’re considering purchasing a sharpener, you’ll find that the 6-inch and 10-inch versions are also offered in sets with sharpeners. Keep in mind that variations in handle, size, and price come into play in these sets.
Weight and Balance
When it comes to weight, the Shun classic 8-inch chef’s knife is super lightweight as mentioned before in this Kai Shun classic DM0706 review. It is only 7.1 ounces which is pretty less compared to other knives of this size. So, this knife will ensure a fatigue-free cut for a long time without any pain for its weight.
The equilibrium of the Shun 8-inch Chef Knife Classic is achieved through the thoughtful consideration of blade weight, handle weight, the presence of a full tang, and the steel end cap. The meticulous distribution of weight results in a knife that seamlessly becomes an extension of your hand. This well-balanced design ensures a comfortable and pain-free experience, even during prolonged use, preventing any strain on your wrist.
Warranty and Free Sharpening
Shun Classic knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Shun DM0706 knife uses all quality material along with modern technologies for their knives. So, shun is fully confident about the quality of their knife. That’s why for any kind of manufacturing defect you will get warranty service.
Additionally, as highlighted in this Kai Shun Classic Chef’s Knife review, Shun offers a complimentary sharpening service. Opting for professional sharpening can often be a costly affair. Therefore, entrusting your knives to Shun for their free sharpening service is a wise choice. This ensures that your knife receives expert sharpening, restoring its edge to a like-new condition repeatedly.
Clean and Maintenance
With proper care and maintenance, a low-end knife can last for a long. On the other hand, without proper care, a very high-end knife may get damaged in a few days. So you should take proper care of shun classic 8-inch chef’s knife, though it is very easy to maintain this knife.
While the Shun DM0706 Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife is technically dishwasher-safe, opting for handwashing is the recommended choice. Prolonged dishwasher use may potentially lead to chipping or damage to the blade edge. For regular use, a simple rinse with water suffices, while heavier usage may warrant the use of soap and a cloth.
Despite the handle’s moisture-resistant properties, it’s advisable to thoroughly dry the knife after each wash. Before storing, allowing the knife to air-dry in an open space is a prudent practice.
When it comes to storing the knife never put it in the drawer without any sheath. As any shun knives don’t come with any sheath you need to use a wooden knife block or an extra sheath. It is better not to use any magnetic knife holder because it may damage the structure of the steel of the knife.
How the knife will feel in your hand
When we decide to buy a chef’s knife, our main concern remains “How the knife will feel in our hand?” As a classic shun 8-inch chef knife features a D-shaped handle the curve of the handle fits comfortably in the grip of right-hand users. And the handle gives a slipless grip.
With a razor-sharp edge and thin profile, the Shun DM0706 classic 8-inch chef’s knife goes through any food like butter. So, you won’t need to create pressure to cut any food. Because of its lightweight, even after long use, this will not create any pain in your hand. Moreover, the balancing of this knife, makes you feel it as a part of your hand.
Customer’s thought
Most of the reviews about Shun Classic 8” were positive, you will hardly find any negative feedback.
Let’s talk about the negative reviews first. One user mentioned the only handwash-safe feature. He said the knife may get chips or get damaged if you wash it in the dishwasher. Another person was not happy as the knife is only for right-handed persons.
But when it comes to positive reviews, most of the users mentioned different amazing features as mentioned in this shun 8-inch chef knife review. One user said it is a tiny kitchen sword and the knife is gorgeous. It also settles into a perfect pinch grip. Another user mentioned the beautiful metalwork and it cuts like a dream.
Pros
This whole Shun Classic 8-inch chef’s knife review is about the different features and pros of the Shun classic chef knife. Let’s gather them here briefly.
- Easy to use and maintain.
- Sharp edge cuts through anything like butter.
- The hard blade has long-lasting edge retention.
- Nicely polished wood fits comfortably in the palm.
- The handle provides a slipless grip.
- It provides a perfect pinch grip
- The lightweight knife makes long prep jobs easy.
- Proper balancing and easy to control.
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
- Comes with free sharpening.
Cons
You already may know about those few drawbacks of this knife from this Shun classic 8-inch chef’s knife review.
- It supports only hand washing and it is not dishwasher safe.
- It is not comfortable for left-handed users.
There is also a Santoku version of classic knife. Here is shun classic santoku review.
FAQ
- Is shun classic 8-inch chef’s knife left-handed or right-handed?
Actually, this knife is a right-handed knife as there is a curve on the right side. But as mentioned before in this classic Shun 8 chef knife review most left-handed people get this knife comfortable for the knife. But all left-handed people may not find it comfortable.
- Can this be sharpened with an electric sharpener?
It is better not to use an electric sharpener for this shun 8” chef knife(dm0706 knife). And it is better to send the knife to Shun as they provide free sharpening service as mentioned in this Shun classic knife review. They will sharpen the knife free of cost.
- Is Shun classic chef’s knife single or double bevel?
This Shun knife is a double bevel knife like most other Shun knives. That means it has the same cutting edge on both sides of the knife.
- Does Shun’s classic 8-inch chef’s knife come with any sheath?
This shun chef’s knife doesn’t come with any sheath. It just comes with a nice box so you have to use an extra sheath or knife block as described before in this classic shun chef knife review
- What are the differences between Shun Classic vs Kaji?
These two shun knives have many differences along with a good amount of similarities. They have differences in terms of balde material, balde construction, and handle design. But these two knives have the same sharpness and handle material.
Conclusion
If you have gone through this whole shun classic chef knife review then you must have got a clear idea about this multipurpose knife. It’s a true workhorse that can take care of most of the tasks in your kitchen. From professional chefs to home cooks it is a great knife who want to make their kitchen work easier.
So, if you need a chef’s knife that is sharp, durable, beautiful, and retains its edge for a long time then shun classic 8-inch chef’s knife is a great option to consider.
