The Shun Premier Straight Paring Knife is about the same size as a traditional paring knife, but it has a down-turned tip and a straight edge. The edge is especially convenient when cutting carrots or zucchini into disks directly into the cooking pot, as well as for smaller tasks such as trimming vegetables. Since the flat edge makes complete contact with the cutting surface, it also makes it easy to chop herbs and smaller vegetables on a chopping board.<br /><br />The Shun Premier line calls to mind as the hand-forged knives of ancient Japan. While each knife still takes at least 100 handcrafted steps to complete, the materials Shun uses are among the most advanced in the industry. Each blade has a cutting core of Shun's proprietary VG-MAX "super steel" to take and hold a precision edge. The layered Damascus cladding supports the core and provides additional stain resistance. Near the edge of the blade where the steels meet, an undulating line is formed, similar to samurai swords using a traditional clay-baking technique. The hammered tsuchime finish acts like a series of hollow-ground cavities to reduce drag. The handles nestle comfortably in the hand, while the embossed end cap adds balance and beauty. Handcrafted in Seki, Japan with a limited lifetime warranty.
