Shun Reserve Hollow Ground Chef's Knife 6 inch (15.24 cm)

Unique Attributes and Characteristics:
Shun’s “Extreme Edges” insure that even the most delicate foods won’t be bruised or torn during preparation—so ingredients retain maximum flavor and freshness.

Handcrafted for the discerning knife user, the Shun Reserve line is a masterful blend of graceful beauty and impeccable performance. Shun Reserve knives are full-tang Western-style kitchen tools clad with 32 layers of flowing “ladder” Pattern Damascus. Yet as beautiful as this elegant Damascus is, it is Reserve’s steel cutting core that makes it truly remarkable.

Reserve’s cutting core is made of SG2 micro carbide steel. This ultra-fine-grained steel is incredibly hard and dense—enabling Shun to make thinner blades that can be sharpened to a razor-like 16 cutting angle. At the same time, SG2 offers unmatched edge retention, so it’s superb for kitchen use. Due to this combination of performance and durability, SG2 is considered by many to be the world’s best blade steel for use in kitchen knives.

Reserve’s SG2 cutting core is clad with 32 layers of Nickel/stainless Damascus, which surrounds the harder SG2 core. The blades are designed with a smooth, deep arc so each cut easily glides through food—from delicate tomatoes to butternut squash. Full-tang, riveted construction provides a heftier blade that delivers both power and precision. The handle, with contoured pommel and nickel silver bolster, is polished charcoal PakkaWood® with deep crimson striations and is adorned with an inlaid brass-and-steel Samurai family crest mosaic.

Nothing has been overlooked in the crafting of each of these extraordinary kitchen tools. In 150 handcrafted steps, every curve has been meticulously smoothed and rounded, from spine to heel, while each cutting edge has been exquisitely sharpened so each cut is clean and precise.

Shun Reserve offers the strength and perfectly balanced weight that Western-style knife lovers prefer. Exceptionally beautiful, they are also designed to deliver supreme performance and be a pleasure to use.

COMPOSITON & MANUFACTURING:
Composition of blade: SG2 Japanese steel cutting core, hardened to 64 on the Rockwell Hardness Scale and clad with 16 layers of Nickel/stainless Pattern Damascus steel on each side for a total of 33 layers of metal.

Bevel: Double-beveled

Cutting Angle: 16° per side (comprehensive angle 32°)

Composition of handle: Full-tang, riveted construction; handle scales of dark charcoal PakkaWood® with deep crimson striations and inlaid Samurai family crest; nickel silver bolster. PakkaWood is a high-end handle material made of natural hardwood impregnated with phenolic resin to produce a truly water resistant wood product; the handles are very stable, durable, and extremely beautiful.

Manufacturing Method: Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan

DIMENSIONS:
Blade: 3 1/2 Inch (8.89cm)
Handle: 5 in. (12.5 cm)
Weight: 297g.


CLEANING & CARE:
One key to keeping a Shun sharp is to use an appropriate cutting surface. Hardwoods (such as maple or Hinoki), bamboo, and polypropylene boards are all excellent choices. Tile, ceramic, marble, granite, any kind of glass, and acrylic cutting boards are hard on knives.

As with any lifetime investment, it’s important to take the best care possible in order to prolong the life of the knife. Shun recommends protecting your investment by choosing to hand wash blades with gentle dish soap. Rinse and towel dry immediately. Do not leave the knife sitting in a sink full of soapy water. It is hard on metals to be submerged in water for prolonged periods of time, but moreover it’s a danger to you when you reach in. After you have washed and dried your knives, store them in a block, knife case, in-drawer tray, sheath, magnetic bar or disk, or in its original box. We do not recommend storing the knives unsheathed in a drawer, as this can be a potential hazard to the blades as well as your fingers.

In order to maximize the life of the blade, regular honing with a steel or ceramic rod will be necessary. Weekly honing will extend the time between sharpening significantly. When the time comes to sharpen these premium blades, we recommend using a whetstone, the Shun electric sharpener (specifically designed to sharpen Shun’s extreme blade angle), or sending the knives back to our recommended service provider, Perfect Edge, for professional sharpening.

Safety Issues/ Cautionary Notes: Shun blades are extremely sharp and should be handled with caution at all times. Please note additional cautions as stated in Cleaning and Care above.

COMPANY BIO/HISTORY:
For more than 100 years, the artisans of KAI Corporation, the makers of the Shun brand of fine cutlery, have been producing blades of unparalleled quality in the spirit of the legendary sword smiths of Japan. For three generations, we have been dedicated to listening to the voices of our customers, providing products that contribute to a more tasteful life. Incredibly sharp edges, partnered with a stunning aesthetic, set Shun knives apart from every other kitchen knife on the market today. In the tradition of Seki’s sword smiths, every knife is handmade by highly skilled specialists and requires at least 100 handcrafted steps to complete. Every day, the legacy of ancient sword smiths serves as inspiration to the artisans in the KAI factories. This tradition of excellence, combined with the newest technology and advanced materials, makes every Shun knife a functional work of art.