Not to be confused with the sharpening steel, the Shun Premier Honing Steel 9" gently realigns the knife edge back to its original state, since after consistent use the edge becomes unaligned and folds to one side. No matter the habits you practice in your kitchen, the knife will need honed periodically, so it's a matter of how often you use it that will determine when you should hone. Typically, this is once a week for Shun knives thanks to their harder steel, and not every day like some European knives need. It can be pretty daunting using both kinds of steels since you almost need to be an expert to use it correctly. This honing steel is different though, with a built-in-angle so you can know for certain you are using the correct Shun 16° angle. This kitchen knife honing steel is handcrafted in Japan. Lifetime Warranty. Shun item number TDM0790.
In case you didn't know that Shun uses handcrafted techniques in homage of their ancestors, the remarkable Premier Series screams it. Every one of these double-beveled knives has a powerful VG-10 core and is then clad with 16 layers on each side of softer steel (SUS410/SUS431) which is folded, welded, ground, and then polished. This form of Kasumi style knife making, similar to pattern Damascus, is also featured in the Classic and Ken Onion Series. What really brings out the handcrafted nature of this line is the hand-hammered tsuchime finish which actually serves a purpose, other than looking awesome. They act as little hollow-ground cavities, creating tiny air pockets that prevent food from sticking and allows for proper and precise cuts. You'll also notice a wavy line near the edge called a harmon where the core and clad meet, similar to post-tempered samurai swords. Yeah, that's right. Samurai Swords.
Shun in Japanese actually translates to "at the peak of perfection," and no words could better describe this outstanding company. Renowned for their traditional knife making style and aesthetic design, the highly skilled artisans at the Kai Corporation (the parent company of "Shoon") have been making blades of the highest quality in homage of the legendary sword smiths of Seki, Japan for over 100 years. Each and every knife is handmade, from beginning to end, requiring at least 100 meticulous steps along the way. It is out of this respect and admiration towards their ancestors, coupled with advanced technology and materials, that Shun produces basically pieces of art that also happen to be razor-sharp knives.
Name: | Shun Premier Honing Steel - 9″ |
UPC: | 087171041612 |
Manufacturer: | Shun |
Proper Cutting Techniques: Shun Cutlery is designed to be used in a smooth, slicing motion, never in a "chopping" manner. When you cut, always push forward and down, and pull back toward your body to retain your blade's edge. Repeat this motion as you cut. Always pay close attention to your fingers to prevent injury.
Cleaning: A Shun knife is a fantastic investment for your kitchen, so properly washing your knife is essential. Always hand wash Shun knives with gentle dish soap and a non-abrasive brush. Do not use soaps with citrus extracts or bleach as they can promote rust. Rinse and towel dry immediately after washing. Do no drag the edge of the knife on the towel as it can cut through and cause injury. Always blot dry the cutting edge.
Proper Knife Storage: Knives have to be stored in a safe place to protect the cutting edge and guarding against injuries. There are some options for storing your knives. Magnetic knife bars are convenient and safe for chefs who want to be able to view their blades and easily access then. They attach to the wall and firmly hold knives in place. A wooden knife block is the best way to store knives on the counter. The size of the block varies with the number of knives to be store. Most Zwilling J.A. Henckels blocks also have a slot for a honing steel and kitchen shears.
Cutting Surfaces: The cutting surface you use makes a big difference in keeping your knives sharp. A cutting boards with good quality will help retain a sharp edge for substantially longer. Soft woods such as hinoki, wooden, or bamboo cutting boards, and quality polyethylene boards. Avoid surfaces that can dull or damage the knife such as china, marble, granite, tile, Formica, porcelain, stainless counter tops and glass; these surfaces can be very hard on your knives. Remember, all cutting boards and surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly immediately after use to avoid harmful bacteria growth.
Honing and Sharpening: Regular honing is necessary to maintain the a sharp cutting edge. Weekly honing will significantly extend the time between sharpening. For sharpening, it is recommended to use a whetstone, or send knives in Kai USA Ltd for a free sharpening service. Shun brand products are sold by Kai USA Ltd. and are backed by a Limited Warranty against manufacturing defects. In addition to supporting their products through this warranty, Shun will sharpen any Shun knife for free for the lifetime of the owner. The knife owner pays for shipping and processing and Shun experts will sharpen the knife for free. Sharpening is done in Shun's Tualatin, Oregon facility, using the same horizontal sharpening wheel to put the original edge back on Shun knife. Called a hiromai, this sharpening wheel, and the skills of knife experts ensure a Shun-sharp edge every time.
Unless otherwise stated here, Shun cutlery from Kai USA Ltd. carries a limited warranty for the lifetime of the owner. Shun guarantees their cutlery will perform as advertised when properly used and maintained, and is free of manufacturing defects in material and construction. The Limited Lifetime Warranty is non-transferable and does not extend to normal signs of wear, rust, damage or breakage due to improper maintenance, accidents, loss or theft. Any product we determine to be defective will be repaired or replaced solely at Shun's discretion. To receive warranty repair or replacement, the owner must send the product to be evaluated by Kai USA Warranty Services in their Tualatin, Oregon headquarters. In addition to the provisions of this warranty, the owner may also have other rights that can vary by state. No other warranties are implied or expressed other than what is specifically stated here. If you have a warranty concern, please do not return your knife to the place of purchase.
Shun's wood accessories are made of natural materials that will show wear over time. This is not a defect. Shun's 90-Day Warranty protect you against original manufacturing defects, but not natural wear. Please visit Shun's website for warranty details.