subject: Kershaw Shun Knives [print this page] Kershaw Shun Classic chef knives are an astonishing blend of technology and art. The craft of knife making has come a long way through the years and these knives are near the pinnacle of blade evolution.
The fabled swords seen in the Crusades with their "Damascus" steel truly represented a massive breakthrough in blade and metalworking technology. Their blades had a wavy design on the surface and this was a consquence of how they had been created. The steel involved was folded and flattened over and over again until the blade was composed of a kind of sandwich of many layers. After grinding and etching slightly, the classic wavy pattern was exposed.
Now, not only was the physical development of the blade distinctive, but the metal itself had chemicals added to it that altered the qualities of the steel and gave rise to much of what we know of the scientific discipline of modern metallurgy.
The Technologies Powering Shun Classic Knives
The Shun Classic knife selection takes this technique and brings it right up to date, bringing in knowledge coming from the materials science of modern times. The main core of a Shun Classic chef's knife is formed from a block of VG-10 steel. This specific steel has had tiny amounts of Molybdenum and Chromium added into a mixture that already contains Manganese, Cobalt and Silicon. Vanadium is then additionally added for hardness.
Then, using the Damascus blades as their example, the core is covered in layers of folded stainless steel - 16 layers to each side, making the final knife a 33 layer composite. This combined strategy gives an incredibly hard core with a surface which does not require constant treatment to protect against rusting.
What Benefits do Shun Classic Knives Gain from this Technology?
The single biggest benefit of all of this high-tech steel is its ability to hold a significantly sharper edge. When compared to Western knives, the Shun Classic range is thinner and has a very much more acute angle on the blade providing an amazing cutting action. What this means is that you always have more control in your food preparation; from carving large pieces of meat through to incredibly delicate presentation, a Shun Classic knife goes exactly where you want it to.
This experience of control is enhanced even further by the way that the Shun Classic handle is formed. The use of a D-shaped handle gives you both comfort and control as you hold the knife and the use of veneered Pakka hardwood for the handle makes them dishwasher safe (although we would by no means suggest treating your Shun Classic in this way!)
Combined with all this, the use of a more substantial bolster in the handle make it balance much more naturally in your hand. This makes it easier to use for a long time as you employ the classic knife rocking movement about the pivot point, since the balance of the Shun Classic wont make your hand slip in the direction of the blade as you work.
Last, but not least, there is an indefinable level of quality to the Shun Classic range. Possessing these chef's knives is like being permitted to take a classic piece of art to work with you and then to make use of it every day - the Damascus blades with their Shun logo and the shape and feel of the handle all add up to an wonderful knife experience.
