The ancient traditions of Japanese samurai sword-making, meet today's state-of-the-art steel technology in the new Shun Elite series of knives by Kai. Like the traditional samurai sword blade, Shun Elite is extremely sharp and flexible; ideal for food preparation. But unlike the traditional blade, Shun Elite features a center layer of a new type of "super steel" called SG-2. This new "super steel" starts out in a powdered form. Under heat and pressure it combines to make a much denser alloy which in turn creates the finest molecular structure used in knife making today. The result is an edge that will hold longer than any other steel on the market. Even better for busy chefs. Shun Elite's superior edge will respond quickly and easily to a honing steel when it needs a quick touchup. For added strength and protection, the SG-2 is clade between two outer layers of quality 410A stainless steel for beauty and tireless handling. Shun Elite features an ergonomic handle of handsome PakkaWood®. This premium-quality hardwood laminate combines the beauty and feel of hardwoods with the strength and performance of plastic. Inlaid with a traditional symbol, the handle is also enhanced by thin rings of brass and copper separating it from the bolster. With this kind of beauty and performance, Shun Elite will soon become the knife chefs reach for again and again.
Amazon.com Review
Almost unheard of a decade ago, the Asian-style santoku is now one of the most popular knives in American kitchens. Similar to a Western chef's knife, the santoku rocks, chops, minces, and slices vegetables, fish, and meat. This 6-1/2-inch santoku is a member of Shun's fabulous Elite collection. The knife features a sleek black PakkaWood handle, made of a hardwood-resin fusion, which showcases an inlaid traditional Japanese emblem and fine rings of copper and brass near the bolster. A distinctive flourish, called a "hamon," along the edge of the blade recalls the samurai swords once made in Seki City, Japan, where Shun Elites are handcrafted. Any chef would feel honored to receive this exceptional, gift-boxed knife.
Shun Elite knives stand out for their incredible sharpness, sharper even than Shun Classics, thanks to the newest powdered steel alloy known as SG-2. The process used to make SG-2 results in a fine-grained, very dense blend of ingredients that creates a smooth-as-silk knife edge. Shun edges are formed to an unusually keen 16 degree angle, which is one reason they're so prized among chefs who value uniformly thin slices, a necessity in Japanese cuisine. Covered by a lifetime warranty, Shun Elite knives should be washed and dried--carefully--by hand, and stored when possible in a wooden block to protect the blade. --Ann Bieri
Product Features
6-1/2-inch santoku knife from the elegant Shun Elite collection
Handcrafted in Japan of incredibly sharp, strong SG-2 steel
Beautiful black PakkaWood handle with inlaid design
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Form and function, April 11, 2008
tangent (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shun SG0403 Elite 6-1/2-Inch Santoku (Kitchen)
I think at this price range it goes without saying that this knife is extremely sharp with great edge retention and constructed to last a lifetime. What sets this apart from the shun classic series is the SG-2 steel in the blade, it is a 'powdered steel'. Basically what this means is that the molecular structure of the steel is much more uniform than in regular steel, which allows it to be extremely strong and yet not too brittle.
You can read all about it at this link: http://www.kershawknives.com/aboutus.php?brand=shun
Aside from the technical details, this santoku has excellent ergonomics and looks simply stunning. When you cut with this knife it feels like you are holding a fine work of art, and rightly so.
There are many who balk at paying this amount of money for a single knife, but personally I would rather have 2 or 3 outstanding knives that I will cherish for many years to come rather than a whole set of knives which are just good or...Read more
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Very easy to use., February 22, 2008
S. Magness - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shun SG0403 Elite 6-1/2-Inch Santoku (Kitchen)
I save this knife for when I need to do a lot of chopping or I need to chop something very tough...like frozen meat or butternut squash. I am not a professional chef, but I do like cooking at home and the knife is very easy to use. It is very easy to control and I like the weight of it. It is very sharp, but if you are careful, it isn't dangerous.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
My Wife Loves This Knife, June 6, 2008
Jack A. (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Shun SG0403 Elite 6-1/2-Inch Santoku (Kitchen)
I bought this knife for my wife this last Christmas and she loves it. She is a Macrobiotic trained cook and has taught cooking for many years. When she finally decided to replace her last knife I took a chance and bought this one for her. I know it's a very dicey thing to do, because cooks are very particular about their tools, but this turned out great. This knife is very light and feels great in the hand. She is only 5' 4" or so, but she has no problem using it. Also, the packaging said that you can send the knife in once a year to have it sharpened by the pros!!!
(8 customer reviews) 
Form and function, April 11, 2008 