The Shun Dm0718 Classic 7-inch Knife is a Multipurpose Kitchen Knife Made of Vg-max Japanese Super Steel
What We Like
- VG-MAX super steel blade
- All-purpose knife
- Scalloped edge
- Comfortable handle for good grip
- Chromium rich for anti-rust
- Next level edge retention
What We Don’t Like
- Expensive
- Chips easily
Bottom Line
In our Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife review, we highlighted all the benefits of having this all-purpose knife. The single and most important feature is the versatility of this cutlery.
If you don’t want or can’t afford a complete set of knives, it’s always a good idea to purchase one general-purpose santoku knife like the Shun DM0718 Classic. It retains sharpness and offers maximum resilience.
However, it is a relatively fragile santoku knife and chips and may not be the best option for professional chefs.
You’re not always going to have the time to change knives over and over again when you’re preparing a yummy dish for friends and family.
So, our review is going to show you what it means for a knife to be called an all-purpose knife.
Hopefully, you’ll be more equipped to make an informed purchasing decision when you get to the end of this review. The Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife is one of the many luxurious knives in Shun’s classic series.
It is a versatile, D-shaped knife that can be used to cut fruits, vegetables, meat, and everything in between. The Shun DM0718 Classic is 7 inches long and it is made from high carbon VG-MAX steel.
Related article: Shun Dm0706 Classic 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Features of the Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife
Dimpled Blade & Scalloped Edge
The Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife has dimples on the blade. This scalloped edge isn’t on the knife for fancy. Sure, it makes the kitchen knife more beautiful but it also makes it more efficient for cutting.
Compared to smooth surface knives, scalloped edge knives are more likely to give you smooth slices without tears. They ensure that your food remains intact while you slice.
This is the primary reason why bread knives have saw-like edges. It reduces the number of crumbs that fall off the entire loaf with each slice.
The dimples on the Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife serve a similar purpose. They ensure that your food doesn’t bend or tear when you cut. They also ensure that the food doesn’t get attached to the knife when you pull it out.
Chromium Rich for Anti-corrosion
Corrosion can be annoying, especially when it happens to your cutleries. Exposing steel or metal to the harsh elements is most likely going to lead to corrosion over time.
The good news is that the Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife is made with corrosion-resistant steel. So, it is less likely to rust even after years of being exposed to water, milk, butter, food acids, and everything you use in the kitchen.
The resistance to corrosion is primarily due to the chromium and molybdenum content of the steel.
Related Reading: Shun Classic 4-Piece Knife Block Set
Next-Generation Edge Retention
Have you ever tried to cut a piece of meat with a dull knife? If you’re fortunate enough not to injure yourself in the process, you will end up extremely grumpy or abandon the whole thing. It’s better not to use a blade at all than to use a dull blade.
The Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife is a sharp blade that can cut through your food without requiring all the strength in your body. It also holds on to this sharpness for a long time making life easier for you.
The razor sharpness and ability to retain it is all thanks to the VG-MAX steel and the precision forging during manufacturing. VG-MAX is one of the super Japanese steels.
It is rich in carbon and everyone knows that carbon-rich steel is the best for retaining sharpness. It is also easy to re-sharpen if you ever feel like the knife is losing its edge. A whetstone or a steel sharpener would be perfect for making the edge razor-sharp again.
Related reading: Shun Premier 8-Inch Chef’s Knife
Comfortable And Elegant Handle
Let’s talk about the handle of the Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife. Like many other knives in Shun’s classic series, the Shun DM0718 Classic has a D-shaped handle that is made of pakkawood. Pakkawood isn’t something you will find on cheap knives.
It is a premium resin composite that is used only for the best and most expensive knives. As you can see, the handle is ebony black and sleek looking but the beauty is nothing compared to the functionality.
Pakkawood is water-resistant so your knife isn’t going to slowly soak water until it starts to decay or becomes heavier than usual. Since pakkawood doesn’t retain water, it doesn’t leave any breeding ground for bacteria. It’s also comfortable to handle for hours at a time.
Handcrafted Traditionally in Japan
There is a good reason why Japan is the birthplace of most of the most reputable knife manufacturing companies in the world. Japanese knives are often handcrafted with the best types of steel and wood in the industry.
The Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife is no exception. It is handcrafted in Shun’s branch in Seki City. Shun claims that the knife making process takes up to 100 steps to complete.
Isn’t that amazing? It’s probably part of the reason why the Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife falls in the premium knife category like many other Shun knives.
Related reading: Shun DM0702 Classic 7-Inch Santoku Knife
Shun DM0718 Classic 7-Inch Knife Review The Verdict
In this review, we give the knife a 9 out of 10. The beauty, high-quality production materials, sharp and scalloped edge would have given it a solid 10 if the knife wasn’t so prone to chipping.
It would also have helped if the price or the Shun DM0718 Classic wasn’t in the $119 – $130 range. Buying a knife that costs this much when you can go for a cheaper option would make more sense if the knife didn’t chip.
Thankfully, Shun provides a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects. So, you can return the knife if you discover that it is chipping.
