The Shun Dm0701 Classic 6-inch Utility Knife With Ebony Pakkawood Handle is an Amazing Blade Made of Newest Vg-max Steel Technology for Sharpness and Durability
What We Like
- VG-MAX steel blade
- Extremely sharp edges
- High-quality pakkawood handle
- Handcrafted the traditional way
- Double bevel angle
- Lightweight and size
- Covered against manufacturer’s defect
What We Don’t Like
- Tips chip easily
- Expensive
Bottom Line
The Shun DM0701 Classic 6 Inch Utility Knife is a great mid-range knife for anyone who loves an elegant knife at a fairly affordable price. It is handcrafted by traditional Japanese knife makers.
The edges are sharp and you can always re-sharpen them for free by simply contacting Shun cutlery for assistance. The use of the VG-MAX steel makes all the difference in terms of durability, and retention of sharpness.
The price falls between mid and high range level depending on what you’re used to buying. Unfortunately, the tip of the knife is incredibly thin and can get chipped if you’re not careful.
What makes a good knife? Is it the type of steel, durability, or beauty? Is a knife automatically tagged as great because the price is on the high side? What exactly do you consider when you want to buy a new knife?
Well, all the variables mentioned above should all be put into consideration when you want to buy a new knife. You should not compromise on durability because of the price or strength because of beauty.
The Shun DM0701 Classic Utility Knife is one of the few mid-range utility knives that meet most of the core requirements of a good knife. It is beautiful, razor-sharp and made of high-quality stainless steel.
Our Shun DM0701 Classic 6″ Utility Knife review contains more details about this blade including a few drawbacks that it might have.
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Features of the Shun DM0701 Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife
VG-MAX Steel Cutting Core
The blade of the Shun Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife is made of VG-MAX steel. The VG series is one of the most popular series of Japanese steel. There are different categories in the VG series and each one is an upgrade of the one before.
The VG-MAX is an upgrade of the VG-10. It might be the newest addition to the series but it also happens to be on high demand in the cutlery manufacturing industry.
It is also in the super steel category thanks to the Rockwell hardness score of 61. The VG-MAX steel has more carbon, chromium, and Cobalt than its predecessor.
The extra carbon makes or stronger, the extra chromium and Molybdenum helps prevent rust. The extra cobalt also increases the strength of the end product. The knife also has a significant amount of tungsten and vanadium which both work together to increase its sharpness.
Sharp Edges for Tough Cutting
Not every food you want to cut is going to go down without a fight. Raw meat and fish are notorious when it comes to cutting. So, you need more than a strong knife to cut through them.
The knife also needs to have sharp cutting edge. The Shun DM0701 Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife has incredibly sharp edges so cutting strong substances isn’t going to be hard. Between a chef’s knife and a paring knife in size, it has a narrower and straighter blade. This feature makes sure power and precision when cutting a variety of ingredients.
The high vanadium content of the steel causes the development of carbide during production thus enhancing the sharpness of the edge. The high tungsten content in the steel helps the manufacturers get fine-grained steel.
This also promotes the sharpness of the blade. The combination of these substances also ensures that the knife retains its sharpness over time. It’s also pretty easy to re-sharpen the blade whenever you get dull edges.
Related Reading: Shun DM0712 Classic 7-Inch Chinese Vegetable Cleaver
PakkaWood Handle for Comfort and Durability
Handles make a huge difference when it comes to knives. No matter how strong and durable a knife is, it would not be your favorite if it does not have a comfortable handle, it’s not worth the trouble.
The handle of the Shun DM0701 Classic Utility Knife is made of high-quality pakkawood. Pakkawood is a special material that is made of resin composite. The composite material is solidified with pressure and heat.
It makes a better handle because it is water-resistant and durable. Most professional chefs love knives with pakkawood handles because they are not prone to wear and tear.
They are also easy to maintain as they do not require any special care. The finished product looks like regular hardwoods. The handle is relatively straight and there isn’t any rivet on it. Another great thing about using pakkawood for a handle is that it doesn’t retain bacteria.
Lifetime Warranty and Free Lifetime Sharpening
No matter how sharp a knife is, there is always a chance that it will lose its edge after years or months of consistent use. Thankfully, you can get it sharpened again with a whetstone.
If you don’t have a whetstone, you don’t need to spend any money buying one or paying for professional sharpening. All you have to do is call the manufacturers of this knife and they will be more than happy to sharpen it for you for free.
It doesn’t matter where you purchased or how long you’ve owned the Shun DM0701 Utility Knife. You will always be entitled to free sharpening. Shun Cutlery also provides a warranty against manufacturer’s defects. So, you can get a replacement if the knife gets chipped.
Related Reading: Shun Classic 6-Piece Slim Knife Block Set
Shun DM0701 Classic 6-Inch Utility Knife Review The Verdict
This Shun Classic 6″ Utility Knife review shows that it’s difficult or even impossible to find a perfect knife. We give the DM0701 Classic 6-Inch Knife 95% out of 100%.
This is because it is sharp, beautiful, and has a durable handle that is easy to maintain. It’s also rich in chromium and Molybdenum so it is resistant to rust. Unfortunately, the tip gets chipped too quickly for a knife that is made from VG-MAX stainless steel.
The price is also high at $69 to $72. Regular homeowners who don’t have any special appreciation for knives will prefer to go for a cheaper general-purpose knife that costs less than $20.
