● Chef Knives · Review

Shun Premier 8-Inch Chef Knife

Tsuchime dimples create air pockets that release potato and vegetable slices instead of letting them stick and ride up the blade

✎ PickHonest Research Desk▦ Updated October 15, 2026◷ 3 min read

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Shun Premier 8-Inch Chef Knife

Shun Premier 8-Inch Chef Knife

Shun

Tsuchime dimples create air pockets that release potato and vegetable slices instead of letting them stick and ride up the blade

  • VG-Max steel at 60 to 61 HRC, same as the Shun Classic
  • Hand-hammered tsuchime finish for food release
  • Walnut-colored pakkawood handle, ambidextrous contour
  • 16-degree inclusive edge grind
  • Identical maintenance requirements to the Shun Classic
  • 7.7-ounce weight with forward balance

Pros

  • Tsuchime dimples create air pockets that release potato and vegetable slices instead of letting them stick and ride up the blade
  • Ambidextrous handle contour fixes the Classic's left-handed asymmetry issue
  • Same VG-Max steel and edge retention as the Shun Classic, so cutting performance is proven
  • Well suited to high-volume vegetable prep w here food release matters more than on the standard Classic
  • Shun's free lifetime sharpening by mail applies to this model as well

Cons

  • Costs more than the standard Shun Classic for a finish that only matters during high-volume slicing
  • Hammered texture is harder to clean thoroughly than the Classic's smooth face
  • Same 60 to 61 HRC chipping risk against bone or frozen food as every VG-Max Shun
  • Smaller rating base than the Classic makes it a less proven long-term choice
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