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: #20215 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Size: 3-inch
• Brand: Shun
• Model: DM0700
• Dimensions: .90" h x 2.50" w x 11.60" l,

Features

• 3-1/2-inch Japanese paring knife; ideal for peeling, paring, or chopping
• Precision-forged high-carbon stainless-steel blade; holds a razor-sharp edge
• 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 durable paring knife deftly handles intricate dicing and trimming tasks alongside its requisite peeling and skin-removal role. The paring knife’s compact size makes it easy to handle and thus a favorite when control and precision are a priority. The tool features a narrow sloping blade measuring 3-1/2 inches in length with a piercing tip.

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 avoids crushing or 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

Great knife ... but not worth the price
Let me first say that the Shun knives, including the 3 1/2 in paring knife, are fantastic. They are the sharpest kitchen knives around and hold an edge very well. The craftsmanship and quality are also extremely good.

However, a $45 paring knife does not make sense unless price is no object for you. You can get a Forschner 3 1/2 inch paring knife (rated number 1 by Cook's Illustrated) for $4.95, a tenth of the cost of this knife. As an owner of both knives, I can say that the Forschner is almost as sharp as the Shun and more comfortable to hold. Certainly the Shun is not 10 times as better as the Forschner.

It should also be noted that the prices on all the Shun knives have gone up after Alton Brown started promoting them. This paring knife was $30 a year ago when I bought it.

In summary, if price is no object for you and you want the best paring knife you can get, buy this knife. Otherwise, I would think twice before making this purchase.

Shun Knives are Beautiful, Elegant, and the Sharpest around
I have a whole set of these blades, so I'm breaking down my review to two parts: Review of the Shun Classic Blades, and the portion as it pertains to this knife in particular.

I absolutely love this knife and it's my second most used knife. My first most used is my work horse, the Shun Ken Onion 8" Chef's Knife. There are many small tasks that the Paring Knife is a must for though, and that's when I grab this one. When you want to trim a nice piece of meat, rib a green pepper, etc...you don't want a big knife, you need this little one. It's little, but so sharp that it slices through anything like butter, making prep work so easy and enjoyable.

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, 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.

For accuracy and precision
This is my second Shun knife. I fell in love with the knives after using my 10" chef knife for about 6 months. While I use the chef's knife for just about everything, there are certainly times when accuracy and precision are important. You just can't get the same results with a 10" chef's knife as you can with a 4" pairing knife. And so, back to the chef's store I went to try out this little bad boy.

It's amazing how sharp these knives are out of the box. Just a few slides on a steel, and the knife is back to peak performance. While I own a ceramic sharpening device, I still haven't had to use it on either knife. This knife is absolutely perfect for any small task: deveining shrimp, peeling fruits or vegetables, cutting tomatoes (especially cherry tomatoes), shaving asparagus, you name it.

The only downside with this knife is its price. While you can easily go out to the supermarket and buy a $10 OXO knife that will provide you with some good results, I knew I had to get the Shun after spending a little time with it at the store. It makes all prep work so much easier, and when combined with the 10" chef's, an all-Shun experience that gets the exact results I wanted from fine cutlery. Go get it!