My wife bought me a Shun Chef's knife for Christmas and as far as i can tell, it is the sharpest thing in the universe. I compared it back to back with my mother-in-law's brand new ceramic and it was much much sharper. Vegetables slice with so little effort that it is almost scary.

Also, they are once again offering free resharpening of their knives, so you can send it back for a factory edge when it gets dull.
see here

A Woot! deal for just a santoku knife by itself would be great…… (hint hint)

I have recently bought the top two outside sets and then 2 more off eBay. Shun knives are going to be the death of me. these are pretty good deals and I have always wanted some shuns.

As someone who has in the past bought a Santoku and Paring knife from woot and is still looking to increase their collection of Shun knives in a redundancy minimizing manner.

A bread knife by itself or with any non Chef / non Santoku / non Paring knives would be an automatic purchase for myself.

Looks like my begging worked, and now that they're back I'm in for one of the 7-piece Shun Ken Onion sets! Woot!

I got the three piece set (top left) for Christmas. I love them. They are sharper than anything I've ever seen before. Makes my ceramic knifes look as dull as spoons.

Need...more...Shun knives.

quizamo wrote:Looks like my begging worked, and now that they're back I'm in for one of the 7-piece Shun Ken Onion sets! Woot!

We work hard at listening!

I live with my mother in law and she has the tendency to be really rough on knives. She even lost one from my wusthof set, so needless to say I am not spending $100+. I like my Kai knives and the last time I took out a new one, my MIL sliced off a bit of her fingertip. Sharp knives are just too dangerous in my house.

A few years ago Amazon had a sale on the 3-piece Shun Ken Onion set, which I picked up, and have been nothing but impressed with.

I am in for one of the 'Ken Onion 7-piece with block' sets, since I get the knives I have been missing, and the extra slots in the block will fit my existing Ken Onions.

The only duplicate knife, the 8" Chef knife, is the one that I always end up washing two and three times per meal because I need it to cut something else. now I will have two !

Score !

I have 5 or 6 Elite knives. Anyone who has both Elite and Classic care to comment on the differences in everyday use? I just don't see the Elites on sale as much anymore, and so I'm thinking picking up Classic might be a good compromise.

Woof writers, it's a PARING knife, not a 'pairing' knife. I let this go without comment the first and second times I saw it on a write-up, but for the love of dog, PLEASE stop calling these 'pairing' knives.

chadc4 wrote:I have 5 or 6 Elite knives. Anyone who has both Elite and Classic care to comment on the differences in everyday use? I just don't see the Elites on sale as much anymore, and so I'm thinking picking up Classic might be a good compromise.

I'm pretty sure the only difference is the steel used. I don't have any Elite knives, so I can't compare, but I'm perfectly happy with my Classic chef's knife (and my "Steel" chef's knife, which is like a Classic but with a metal handle).

Shun bread knives are on sale/clearance at Wayfair.com. $89

A bread knife by itself or with any non Chef / non Santoku / non Paring knives would be an automatic purchase for myself.

geekwench wrote:Woof writers, it's a PARING knife, not a 'pairing' knife. I let this go without comment the first and second times I saw it on a write-up, but for the love of dog, PLEASE stop calling these 'pairing' knives.

^^this. serially.

stacyhamlin wrote:Shun bread knives are on sale/clearance at Wayfair.com. $89

Great price. Thank you for the info.

cbetka13 wrote:Great price. Thank you for the info.

I couldn't find them on the site, can you link me? Or tell me what to search?

Found this one for way more:
http://www.wayfair.com/Shun-Classic-9-Off-Set-Bread-Knife-DM0724-SUH1021.html

Also, does anyone know which knives the 7 piece set specifically comes with since there are variations on many shun knives?

dcantator wrote:Also, does anyone know which knives the 7 piece set specifically comes with since there are variations on many shun knives?

It's listed in the features on the main page for the set. Haven't had caffeine this morning and having trouble cutting and pasting.

chadc4 wrote:I have 5 or 6 Elite knives. Anyone who has both Elite and Classic care to comment on the differences in everyday use? I just don't see the Elites on sale as much anymore, and so I'm thinking picking up Classic might be a good compromise.

This is from a website devoted to knives:

The Shun Elite series is Kai’s second most popular kitchen line. At first glance, they may seem similar to the Classic knives. But there are some important distinctions here. The most important is the steel. Elite knives are made of SG-2, a premium “powdered” alloy.

Powdered steels are created through a unique process that allows uniform distribution of elements throughout the material. This creates a steel that can be made extremely hard and, therefore, sharp.

The handles are pakka wood, similar to the Classic knives. Care and maintenance is similar as well.

aprilbolin wrote:It's listed in the features on the main page for the set. Haven't had caffeine this morning and having trouble cutting and pasting.

(1) 9" Bread Knife
(1) 8" Chef's Knife
(1) 6" Serrated Utility Knife
(1) 3" Pairing Knife
(1) Pair Herb Shears
(1) Honing Steel
(1) 11-Slot Bamboo Block

But as you might find from searching a 9" shun bread knife you get this:

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0705-Classic-9-Inch-Bread/dp/B000139H78/

http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Onion-DM0505-Multi-Purpose-9-Inch/dp/B000P18LMS/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-Premier-Bread-Knife-9-Inch/dp/B003B66YKK

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-Classic-9-Bread-Knife/dp/B0007D6GS0/

All different variations

Just a note about the two-piece classic set, which was the Dec 28 home.woot...

It appears that the set that's being shipped doesn't contain the serrated utility knife, but the plain-edge version instead. That's the story from a few members on that item's discussion page, including myself. No one's piped up yet to say they actually got the serrated knife.

The plain utility knife is still pretty cool...but I think all knives are kinda cool. But this one isn't going to serve as the ultimate baguette slicer I was hoping for with the serrated one.

Can someone from woot reply to the actual items in the set:

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0500W-8-Inch-Onion-Chefs/dp/B007JU939S/

http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Onion-DM0505-Multi-Purpose-9-Inch/dp/B000P18LMS/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0722-Classic-Serrated-Utility/dp/B00022YEWG/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-Onion-3-Inch-Paring-Knife/dp/B000J01AP0/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM7100-Herb-Shears/dp/B004M3ZF6U/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0750-Sharpening-Steel/dp/B000139H7I/

http://www.amazon.com/Shun-DM0831-11-Slot-Bamboo-Block/dp/B00022YELM/


Are they these? The only one's handle that doesn't look the same is the serrated 6" knife

dcantator wrote:I couldn't find them on the site, can you link me? Or tell me what to search?

Found this one for way more:
http://www.wayfair.com/Shun-Classic-9-Off-Set-Bread-Knife-DM0724-SUH1021.html

I was able to find that $89 knife - it was a RETURN, though and
the price actually went up a bit as I was watching it and looking to put more stuff into my basket. But here it is:
http://www.wayfair.com/Shun-Classic-9-Bread-Knife-DM0705-SUH1005.html?clearance=true
Need to look under SALE/Clearance. Was not able to do a search on just that section - so had to go through all of 1700 items there to find what was interesting. They also have a SHUN CLassic 9" Slicer for about $100. Hope this helps.

aprilbolin wrote:This is from a website devoted to knives:

The Shun Elite series is Kai’s second most popular kitchen line. At first glance, they may seem similar to the Classic knives. But there are some important distinctions here. The most important is the steel. Elite knives are made of SG-2, a premium “powdered” alloy.

Powdered steels are created through a unique process that allows uniform distribution of elements throughout the material. This creates a steel that can be made extremely hard and, therefore, sharp.

The handles are pakka wood, similar to the Classic knives. Care and maintenance is similar as well.

To my knowledge the Elite was realeased in both Classic and Ken Onion variations. KO Elite was only ever released in a 8" Chef, 7" Santoku, and 3 1/2" Paring, and you can still find them, fortunately. I think I saw more styles in Classic Elite than KO. In 2006 Elite 10” Chef’s Classic got the Blade magazine's "knife of the year" award.
I do have both regular and Elite knives ( mostly Ken Onions) and also some Ken Onion Kaji Fusion (which uses the same SG2 steel as the Elite, but just looks a bit different). There is certainly some difference in the way these knives feel. I love the feel of Elite - it seems a bit more hefty, ( which I like),better balanced and is sharper. Very pretty as well - that little copper ring on the handle next to the blade and a copper rosette on the handle are very distinguished. To me Kaji Fusion KO does not feel as great as Elite, even though it uses the same steel and the handle is fundamentally the same except for cosmetic differences. Maintenance-wise: keep in mind that SG2 is a much harder steel - so if you are into sharpenning your own knives - they will be a bit harder to handle. Also - I am not sure if a regular steel honing rod is hard enough for them - I keep wondering if they actually need a CERAMIC honing rod, like Shun issue with Fuji sets that are also SG2 steel, just fancier damascus work.
Hope this is useful info.

Every time I read "Ken Onion", I just think of the karate teacher from Parappa the Rapper.

chadc4 wrote:Anyone who has both Elite and Classic care to comment on the differences in everyday use?

The Classics don't retain their edge quite as well as the Elites, but that's a more longer-than-daily sorta term. Day-to-day, they're fairly comparable.

For a vertical chopping blade (Santoku, Nakiri, etc), where you can have some impact, I prefer the slightly softer steel of the Classics, hence my Classic Santoku.

Classics do have a larger handle than the Elites, so if you have very small hands, that might be an issue.

TL;DR: Difference isn't huge, both nice.


***Edit*** I would, however, suggest that you buy the Shun Elite Honesuki, if you prefer a Honesuki to (or like one in addition to) a traditional Western Boning knife.

The handle, the balance, the whole thing is just delightful and perfect and I love my Elite Honesuki very, very much.

I pet it like a cat.

That's not actually true.

Ok, maybe it is.

cbetka13 wrote:Also - I am not sure if a regular steel honing rod is hard enough for them - I keep wondering if they actually need a CERAMIC honing rod, like Shun issue with Fuji sets that are also SG2 steel, just fancier damascus work.

I haven't found just using a steel to be problematic.

Stupid question... Are they dishwasher safe. I don't trust my wife not to run them in the dishwasher behind my bak.

jobeoeoeo wrote:Stupid question... Are they dishwasher safe. I don't trust my wife not to run them in the dishwasher behind my bak.

They aren't going to be instantly ruined if they are run through the dishwasher, but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

Banging around in the dishwasher could damage the edge. The detergent could discolor the handle. Extended exposure to moisture could cause some rust.

The heat of the dishwasher is not a problem for tempered steel, no matter what some people claim.

So if she sticks it in the dishwasher it will be OK. Just freak out, reminder her how much it cost, and maybe she'll remember next time.

Better yet, wash the knife, dry it, and put it away as soon as you are done using it, not when the meal is finished, or you are done cooking, but as soon as you are done with the knife. If you do that she won't have an opportunity to put it in the dishwasher.

aerodave wrote:Just a note about the two-piece classic set, which was the Dec 28 home.woot...

It appears that the set that's being shipped doesn't contain the serrated utility knife, but the plain-edge version instead. That's the story from a few members on that item's discussion page, including myself. No one's piped up yet to say they actually got the serrated knife.

The plain utility knife is still pretty cool...but I think all knives are kinda cool. But this one isn't going to serve as the ultimate baguette slicer I was hoping for with the serrated one.

Oh dear, that's the only reason I picked that set over one of the others.

May I please get some clarification before the orders ship?

I would love some left handed shun's. I know I can use the regular but they make left handed ones...

Since we are talking wishes - does Woot have any Ken Onion Kaji Fusion and Ken Onion Elite knives still left somewhere in the long-forgotten corner of the warehouse???? Pretty pleeeease !!!!!!!

45chel wrote:Oh dear, that's the only reason I picked that set over one of the others.

May I please get some clarification before the orders ship?

I bought that set and got a non-serrated knife as others have mentioned. Sent Woot an email and they said that Shun would be handling exchanges. Apparently the sets were screwed up by shun and not woot. Woot's email gave a number to call at Shun. I called and got a answering machine. Have nt heard back yet.

geekwench wrote:Woof writers, it's a PARING knife, not a 'pairing' knife. I let this go without comment the first and second times I saw it on a write-up, but for the love of dog, PLEASE stop calling these 'pairing' knives.

It is pretty obvious that what they're trying to say is that the knives bring people together. Duh!

Okay - I made my catty comment, so let me contribute to the substantive information here.

Back in January of 2010, during a woot-off, I bought the http://www.woot.com/offers/kai-shun-classic-ultimate-cooks-knife-with-magnetic-disk. It has remained in the magnetic knife rack next to the stove ever since (the place of knife honor in our home). Having said that, I think it is just an "okay" knife. I really like my Wusthof chef's knife better which cost about the same if you find it on sale. And it is a lot less of a pain in the pajamas to sharpen.

I'm not knocking it, but there's nothing special about these knives. And that little magnetic wooden disk thing --> straight into the garbage.

jaycain wrote:Okay - I made my catty comment, so let me contribute to the substantive information here.

Back in January of 2010, during a woot-off, I bought the http://www.woot.com/offers/kai-shun-classic-ultimate-cooks-knife-with-magnetic-disk. It has remained in the magnetic knife rack next to the stove ever since (the place of knife honor in our home). Having said that, I think it is just an "okay" knife. I really like my Wusthof chef's knife better which cost about the same if you find it on sale. And it is a lot less of a pain in the pajamas to sharpen.

I'm not knocking it, but there's nothing special about these knives. And that little magnetic wooden disk thing --> straight into the garbage.

But you are comparing a goofy sandwich knife to a chef's knife. You'd need to compare to a Shun chef's knife for it to be meaningful.

Love my Shun knives but does Woot ever sell these knives without a santoku or chef's knife? I wouldn't mind buying a few more knives but I'm all set as far as santoku/chef's knives go.

Just got mine in today! Absolutely amazing. Sharp as all heck! and pretty to boot.

Adding my experience with a problem in the order.

I ordered the KO 7 piece block set and received the order yesterday. The knives are great, but I got a non serrated utility knife instead of serrated advertised on the woot page.

I contacted woot and they emailed back to me that they "have made arrangements with the manufacturer for you to receive the correct replacement knife, free of charge" and provided me with Shun USA contact number.

I contacted Shun, and first connected with their warranty dept who had no idea what I was talking about. If you contact Shun for this issue, please talk to their customer service dept. The lady that I spoke to, said the KO line is discontinued and she will look if she has a serrated utility knife available.

Woot, if you are listening - please double check your order description page to avoid us customers getting into the hassle of sorting this out.