The narrow, straight blade of the Shun Classic utility knife features 34 layers of Damascus steel cladding on each side, which surround the high-carbon VG-MAX core to combine both form and function. The beautifully modern, D-shaped, blonde PakkaWood handle encases the full composite tang blade, reducing unwanted rotation and improving grip for right and left-handed chefs alike. Light slicing and medium rocking actions, such as trimming green beans or cutting sandwiches, call for this knife. It works particularly well on thin-skinned and easily crushed vegetables, such as tomatoes. Handcrafted in Japan, this kitchen knife is ground and honed to a razor sharp 16-degree edge out of the box. It’s balanced immediately forward of the bolster for increased precision and injury prevention when used in hand. Santoku, nakiri, boning, slicing, or steak – Shun blades positively glide through food when used in a back-and-forth or rocking motion that applies some force parallel to what's being cut, letting the edge do the work.