Shun Steel 4-Inch Paring Knife

by Shun

Product Features

• 4-inch paring knife featuring artfully elegant Damascus-look pattern
• Blade made of high-carbon VG-10 steel for long-lasting durability of razor sharp edges
• Seamless one-piece stainless steel bolster, handle, and end cap
• Stainless steel handle with unique D-shape provides better control
• Hand washing recommended, dishwasher safe; lifetime warranty; made in Japan

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 2.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00022YMFA
• Item model number: MH0716
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #86,119 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Made from VG-10 stainless steel, Shun knives are specially constructed to be harder, less brittle, but also more flexible than traditional steel formulations. The VG-10 core is then clad with 16 full layers of SUS410 high-carbon stainless steel on each side, for a total of 33 layers. These layers not only protect the VG-10, they create an exquisitely-detailed surface reminiscent of Damascus or pattern-forged steel, the kind once used for Samurai swords. As a result, the knives are simply stunning to look at--much like antique Damascus knives but without their tendency to rust. As an additional benefit, the slight patterning helps slice rather than crush delicate foods and keeps cut food from sticking to the blade.

The small size and sharp point of this 4-inch paring knife make it ideal for handheld and other small or intricate cutting chores, such as trimming vegetables, peeling fruit, making decorative garnishes, or mincing small amounts of parsley. Its seamless one-piece stainless-steel bolster, D-shaped handle, and end cap provide ergonomic comfort and maximum safety. As sturdy as it is lovely, the knife is officially safe to put in the dishwasher--although it's so good-looking you might find yourself hard-pressed to do so. Shun knives carry a limited lifetime warranty. --Mary Park

Product Description

Seamless stainless steel construction produces this stunning collection. Features the look and benefits of Damascus steel, yet without it's rusting problems.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every penny, January 26, 2009

By 

001101 (New England) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shun Steel 4-Inch Paring Knife (Kitchen)

This is the 17th Shun knife I've purchased either for myself of as gifts, and I truly believe that you get your money's worth with Shun knives. They are far superior to Wusthof and Henckels without question. I haven't tried the Global knives yet for a direct comparison, but I'm pretty sure I'd still be happy with the extra money I spent on the Shuns.

One of the lesser-known features of these knives is that you can ship them back to Shun to be factory sharpened at any point. We've only taken advantage of this once, but it's a great little extra service.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sharpest knife I've ever owned, January 25, 2009

By 

Walter Feigenson (Walnut Creek, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shun Steel 4-Inch Paring Knife (Kitchen)

I bought this paring knife because we have a Shun chef's knife, which is fantastic. The paring knife is even sharper - simply amazing how it cuts anything. From experience, these blades hold their edge much longer than most knives. I was concerned about not having a wooden handle, but this knife's handle is just fine. Don't bother with German knives, these are 10x better, and even though expensive, worth the price. As with most Japanese knives, the edge on this knife seems to be honed on only one side, so you can't use the usual sharpening techniques.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great little knife, September 6, 2008

By 

Justin Kasulka - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shun Steel 4-Inch Paring Knife (Kitchen)

I bought a shun chef's knife before and had been using it with great pleasure. I liked it so much I used for everything - great until I tried to peel a tomato with an 8" chef knife. Bad idea. So with a paper towel wrapped around the small cut on my thumb I sat down and ordered this little paring knife.

The folded steel is very attractive and has just as many folds (albeit very tiny folds) as the larger knives. I love the "D" shape of the handle - it is very easy for me to hold onto. The light brushed texture runs around the handle giving extra grip, even when it is wet. The light-weight knife is quite balanced. It just feels good in my hand.

My only complaint is that it doesn't stay as sharp as my shun chef's knife (which probably gets more use). I use a small pull-through honer each time a use either knife and can feel the rough spots on this paring knife more than on the larger knife. Seems that the edge is a little more delicate on the smaller knife. A few pulls through the honer and it is good as new though. I still think it will be a while before I have to take it to be professionally sharpened.

I like the knife a lot. Between this paring knife and the chef's knife, I hardly use any of my other knives. Love the sharpness and construction of the Shun knives.