Shun 9-in. Shun Classic Sharpening Steel

Although your Shun Classic knives retain their edge longer than most knives, you can rest assured that having this 9-in. Steel handy for occasional honing will improve the lifetime of the precision blades. Stores conveniently in most cutlery blocks. Made in the ancient city of Seki, Japan, Shun knives rely on extremely sharp blades, made of Japanese VG10 steel clad with 32 layers (16 on each side) of a proprietary blend of high-carbon stainless pounded so thin, it delivers precision slicing, cutting and chopping that is unprecedented by any of its German competitors. Imagine, a knife made the same way as ancient Samurai swords, handcrafted still today. Sharper out of the box than other knives, the Shun Classic maintains its sharpness longer, since the finely-polished blade edge has a natural tendency to remain straighter, yet when required, it can be honed using a standard steel or sent to the factory for free sharpening. The wavy, Damascus-look pattern on the blade creates minute air pockets that offer stick resistance, so food releases easier and prep time is reduced--plus it\'s rust-free. The ebony Pakka wood handle, a highly durable combination of layers of white birch wood and resin, is designed in a \"D\"� shape to fit firmly and comfortably in the hand, with the bonus of being dishwasher safe and NSF approved for commercial kitchens.