Kershaw KAI Shun Classic Alton's Angles Vegetable Knife 3 1/2" (8.9 cm) Blade 10° angle

The unique 10° angle these Shun Classic knives is the result of the collaboration between Kershaw's own blade smiths and star of the Food Network's Good Eats show, celebrity chef Alton Brown.

Alton loved the sheep's foot blade shape on the Shun Vegetable Knife, but had trouble using it because his knuckles kept hitting the cutting board. So he asked Kershaw for a modification - a small angle that would let him both firmly grasp the knife and fully contact the cutting board.

It worked. In fact, it worked so well that now here are a half-dozen Alton's Angles blades. Not only does the design keep knuckles off the cutting board, but the natural curve created between the blade and the users's arm also makes controlling the blade even easier and more precise.

The Kershaw Kai kitchen knives are quite different from European knives in several respects. In the first place, the Cobalt MV stainless steel from which they are made is forge welded and the edges have harder steel (RC 60) than that used in Western knives so these products will hold an edge longer. Because of the forge welding, though, they are also tougher than European knives. This allows the blades to be thinner and allow for a more acute bevel angle so they are sharper than Western knives. The handles are black laminated wood. Fit and finish are first class.