Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #19719 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: Shun
• Model: DM0705
• Dimensions: 1.00" h x 3.20" w x 16.80" l, .70 pounds

Features

• 9-inch Japanese bread knife; ideal for everything from rustic artisan breads to baguettes
• Precision-forged stainless-steel blade; serrated edge prevents tearing
• Clad with16 layers of stainless steel to produce a rust-free Damascus look
• Durable D-shaped Pakkawood handle; comfortable offset steel bolster
• lifetime warranty; manufactured in Seki City, Japan

Amazon.com Review
A member of the stylish Shun Classic line, this bread knife comfortably handles everything from rustic artisan breads to baguettes--and even dessert items such angel food cake or chocolate tart. Featuring a serrated blade measuring 9 inches in length, this tool won’t tear or crush foods during slicing.

Leveraging a 90-year history of superior workmanship, Shun knives are precision-forged in Japan by renowned blade manufacturer KAI. Using technologically advanced processes, a VG-10 "super steel" core is clad with 16 layers of high-carbon stainless steel to produce a rust-free Damascus-look blade. The Damascus detailing not only enhances the knife’s aesthetic appeal, it also prevents morsels from sticking and helps avoid damaging foods. Forming a comfortable D-shaped hold, a fused blend of hardwood veneers and resin comprise the unique ebony Pakkawood handle. A traditionally offset stainless-steel bolster protects knuckles while a steel end-cap finishes the piece. Although dishwasher-safe, hand washing is recommended. This product includes a lifetime warranty. -- Amy Arnold

Customer Reviews

Incredible
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.

Shun Knives are Beautiful, Elegant, and the Sharpest around
Shun knives are beautiful creations period. Since I'm Asian, I love the tradition look and feel of this Japanese knife. I love the beauty of the blade and the dark, polished, Pakkawood handle. The unique "D"-shaped, Wood handles are preferable. The shape fits my hand perfectly, and the wood does not get slippery when wet - providing a very secure hold. The steel is of utmost quality and sharpness. Do not put this blade into any old electric knife sharpener! Electric knife sharpeners are made to put one angle on any blade. These blades come with a 16 degree angle and you don't want to be changing that angle. There are electric knife sharpeners that can sharpen these knives, but you'll have to do some research and find out which ones can be a fit with these knives. I prefer to hone with a sharpening steel and manually sharpen with a stone if necessary (and I don't see it being necessary to touch it to a stone any time soon). The blade is sharp straight off the factory and as Alton Brown says - it's the sharpest straight out of the factory edge as he's ever seen.

These knives are more expensive than most, but I think it's definitely worth it. To have the sharpest, most beautiful knife around - it's no contest. If you are on a budget, build your collection slowly. It's been said that there are only 3 knives that are the absolute basics for any kitchen: A 8" Chef's Knife (or some kind of similar, large-ish chef's knife), a Paring Knife, and a Long Serrated blade for cutting bread and larger items. I would add a thin utility knife and a boning knife to that list next. Then I would add those "in-between" sizes as I get more money flow in. =)

If you plan on spending any time in the kitchen, good kitchen knives are a definite must. Preparation is the bulk of cooking and when you have good knives, it cuts down on the danger of cutting yourself, it adds pleasure to the work, and it cuts down on prep time. Knives are also a very personal choice and it's best to at least go to a store and try it out for yourself first. Shun Knives are designed by the Japanese, so remember - it's designed for small hands. This makes it fit most women's hands perfectly, but I've heard of guys with larger hands not like it so much and going back to the German knives. So definitely try it out. It's a personal thing, it needs to fit you.

Why spend so much money on a knife? Well, if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and you almost always have to bust out a knife to prep a meal from scratch - why not use the best? Why spend that time with items that you love and brings you pleasure to use? Many times, it's the small things that brings us the most pleasure in life, and I consider my Shun knives as one of those things. Having something so beautiful and yet so sharp and perfect - it makes my time cooking just that much more enjoyable.

Another good thing to know is that although the Shun Knives are usually offered for right-handers, you can get these knives for left-handers. You just need to find the guys who stock and sell those ones as they are less known, and less common.

No bread is safe
I am not hung up on Japanese knives - I use both Japanese and German manufactured ones, depending on the task and which kitchen I am in. But I only use two bread knives, the Shun Classic and the Shun Elite. I don't know if either knife is particularly "pretty", there are blades around that have more layers than the Shun Classic and thus look nicer, and the (much more expensive) Elite has just a few layers and the blade is not any more attractive than others. The "D" handle of the Classic is nice, for right handed people. All I know about these knives is that whenever I have one of them in my hand no bread is safe - I look for excuses to slice bread. It feels that good to use, and boy can you cut a thin piece. I have not had that feeling with any other top quality bread knife made in Germany or Japan. I bought others, tried them, and they do not compare. I don't know anything about longevity, ask me in ten years.