Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife (DM0706) review

The Shun Classic is the most decorative knife on this list and one of the sharpest by spec. Shun uses its proprietary VG-MAX steel as the cutting core, sharpens it to 16° on each side and wraps it in 34 layers of stainless Damascus on each side, which Shun says adds stain resistance and helps food release. The D-shaped Pakkawood handle works for left and right-handed cooks, the 8 in blade has a curved belly for rocking through herbs, and the knife weighs 6.7 oz. Each one is handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, and carries a limited lifetime warranty. It ranks seventh for two reasons: the knife was out of stock on Shun's own store when we checked, and its standard price is $237.00, although Shun listed a $149.95 sale price. Thin, hard Japanese edges also reward careful cutting and hand washing more than German blades do. We compared documented features and published prices and did not run cutting tests.

Who it is for

cooks who want a very fine edge and a Damascus look

Price

$149.95 on sale on shun.kaiusa.com as of November 2026 (standard price $237.00), out of stock when checked.

$149.95
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• Proprietary VG-MAX cutting core with a 16° edge each side
• 34 layers of stainless Damascus cladding each side (68 total)
• D-shaped ebony-finished Pakkawood handle for left or right hand
• 8 in (203 mm) blade, weight 6.7 oz
• Handcrafted in Seki City, Japan, with a limited lifetime warranty

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 16° edge each side is finer than typical German knives
• Strength: $149.95 sale price is $87 below the $237.00 standard price
• Strength: Shun says each knife takes at least 100 steps to make
• Weakness: Out of stock on shun.kaiusa.com when we checked
• Weakness: Thin, hard Japanese edges need more care than German blades
• Weakness: Standard price of $237.00 is the highest of the single knives here

Key facts

• Price: $149.95 sale, $237.00 standard
• Steel: VG-MAX core, Damascus cladding
• Edge angle: 16° each side
• Weight: 6.7 oz
• Warranty: Limited lifetime

Where it ranks

Shun Classic 8" Chef's Knife (DM0706) is No. 7 in our Best Kitchen Knives verdict.