Shun Knives: a Buyer's Guide

With the Dual Core, Shun enters a brave new world with a uniquely constructed blade made of alternating micro layers of two different steels. (Although the Dual Core has been around for a while, making its debut in 2014.)

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The 71 layers are forged tightly together in a herring-bone pattern that allows them to alternate along the entire cutting edge (on a microscopic level). Now get this: Because they’re made with slightly different formulas, the steels wear at different rates, creating micro serrations. Like a super-fine saw. Wild, huh? This all adds up to an edge that not only is uber-sharp, but constantly refreshes its own sharpness.

Evidently, Shun’s technology works like a charm. For there have been nothing but raves online about the scintillating sharpness of Dual Core blades.

Octangonal Handle

The Dual Core sports a traditional octagonal handle made of ebony-finished pakkawood. As classic as you can get. It’s the only Shun line that offers this traditional-shaped handle which (personally) I find very comfy.

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Additional Thoughts

Interestingly enough, Dual Core leaves the factory with the same 16 percent angle edge as all other Shun knives. I’m surprised they don’t up amp it up with a slightly steeper edge.

The knives in this collection are designed for a kitchen knife connoisseur who might really appreciate the authenticity of the design, the craftmanship, and the blade sharpitude. And as an additional note: the yanagiba has a classic Japanese single-bevel design. Which makes it the absolutely, sharpest knife of any in this article. And the kind of knife only a sushi chef can truly appreciate!

Dual Core Collection

Small collection: Only five knives, all of them thoroughly Japanese in style: utility, nakiri, santoku, kiritsuke, and yanagiba. There’s no paring knife, no bread knife, not even a standard Western chef knife. The closest thing you get is a kiritsuke—which is pretty close.

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