Shun Classic 7-Piece Block Set with Bamboo Block

This set is wonderful in that it includes everything you really need in a cutlery set. Most of the commercial stamped sets include upwards of twenty knives, but you'll end up using five or six on a regular basis. The quality of these forged blades is stunning and the edges are razor sharp. With proper honing, using the steel included in the set, these blades will keep their edge for over a year of daily use. I would recommend finding a local bladesmith and having the edge sharpened professionally. It isn't expensive and will maximize performance.

The handle itself is comfortable and the balance feels natural. Although the manufacturer says that these are dishwasher safe, I would suggest immediate hand washing after use and complete drying before returning it to the block.

My wife and I love to cook, so we finally decided to splurge on a real quality knife set. Simply put, they are wonderful knives and they came as advertised. I've had them now for 6 months and I use them just about every day that I am home. My set came with the block, honing steel, shears, paring knife, utility knife, bread knife and chef's knife. These are all the knives you really need.

We did add two extra shun classic knives that we bought separately to make it a nine piece set, more for fun and enjoyment than anything else. These were the santoku and the hakiri. My wife is Japanese and grew up in Osaka, and she remembers as a child watching her mom use a hakiri or something similar in the kitchen to cut, chop, slice and do just about anything else. I've always wanted a santoku, and although it performs the same function as a chef knife, I thought the shape was cool so I said what the hell, why not ? I now use the santoku more than the chef, mostly because it...Read more

These knives are great and make preparing meals a treat rather than a chore.
The Classic Shun knives look lovely, and their customer service has been fantastic (free sharpening service).

I recommend this purchase and this supplier.