cutting leeks with knife

Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife Review

A paring knife is among the essential knives that every chef should have. It is a utility knife that is needed for smaller food items and peeling fruits and vegetables. It has to be durable enough to slice through the hardest food items, but light and short enough to maneuver over all kinds of surfaces and shapes.

Having a good paring knife is a mark of a good chef or cook. So if you are looking for one, let introduce to you the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife. We will look into what it can offer and how it can help you out in your cooking needs.

Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife

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Each Shun Premier Knife is individually handcrafted which is why the blade length can vary between three and four inches. The Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is designed to be used for slicing and coring.

Features

Aesthetically, this paring knife looks amazing and simple. Nevertheless, the details on the blade and the handle show that a lot of craftsmanship and technicality has been put into making it. Here are the details:

  • Blade

The blade of the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is crafted with Damascus steel that was forged and layered several times to add strength. It was also finished using a hand hammer, which is also known as “Tsuchime” in Japanese. Such a technique helps reduce resistance and drag when the blade is used for cutting.

You can immediately tell that the steel used for the knife is different from other blades. The folded and hammered steel can also be seen and felt with the texture of the blade.

Also, it features the trademark mottling and banding patterns at the flat area of the blade. Additionally, the Shun Premier logo, which is a black and yellow Japanese symbol, is placed on the upper half of the blade.

  • Handle

The handle of the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is made from Pakkawood, and was crafted with a comfortable and secure grip. It is also smoothly polished, which can be easily seen on the surface of the entire knife.

The classic wooden handle also flows seamlessly into the full tang blade and the spine. This makes sure that food and germs do not stick to the handle.

  • Size, Weight, and Maintenance

Overall, the knife measures around eight to nine inches in length, 0.62 inches in width, and one inch in height. It only weighs 7.1 ounces. Maintenance-wise, the knife is recommended to be hand washed and air dried, but it is also dishwasher safe.

Pros:

  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Free sharpening services
  • Aesthetically beautiful knife
  • Easy to clean
  • Lightweight and durable

Cons:

  • Inconsistent knife length for each order
  • Expensive compared to other products
  • The blade needs to be sharpened after a while

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Summary

The Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is a handcrafted knife with layered Damascus steel blade. It is hand-hammered finished to reduce drag and keep food from sticking to the blade.

The handle of the knife is made with premium Pakkawood and crafted for a secure and comfortable grip. Such a combination of blade and handle gives the knife a simple, very artistic, and aesthetically beautiful look. That though does not limit the functionality of the paring knife.

The knife can be maintained via handwashing and air drying, as well as by throwing it in the dishwasher. Although the blade would need to be sharpened after a while, the company offers free sharpening. Also, with a price that is higher than other paring knives, the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

Comparison

Although the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife seems promising, as a buyer, it is always wise to look into other options and compare them. This will make sure that you are buying something that meets your needs. That said, here are two other paring knives that also have a lot to offer.

Sedge Four-Inch Paring Knife

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First, we compared the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife with the Sedge Four-Inch Paring Knife. That is because both blades are made with high-quality Damascus steel and have razor-sharp edges.

They also boast ergonomic handles for comfort and security. Additionally, both manufacturers provide lifetime guarantee for their products.

That being said, one advantage that the Sedge has over the Shun Premier knife is it is a bit more affordable. Also, the Sedge Four-Inch Paring Knife is a factory-made product, which means the blade and the handle are created in a factory setting for mass production.

The parts of the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife are all handcrafted, which is a meticulous process as well as requires attention to detail.

Daddy Chef 3.5-Inch Damascus Paring Knife

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Another product that has a quality blade with a sharp edge and comfortable handle that is worth comparing to the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is the Daddy Chef 3.5-Inch Damascus Paring Knife. The Daddy Chef knife has an advantage in terms of price, as it is a more affordable paring knife than the Shun knife.

As similar to the first product we compared the Shun knife to, the Daddy Chef 3.5-Inch Damascus Paring Knife is probably mass produced in a factory. That does not mean, though, it is not a quality product, but then again, a hand-crafted knife is given more attention to detail and is particularly made with quality in mind, and not quantity.

Conclusion

A chef or cook should invest as much time and money on a good paring knife as a good chef’s knife. The Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife is a work of art, a fantastic-looking kitchen tool, and more than just a beautiful knife.

The blade and the handle are handcrafted from start to finish and each blade manufactured is different. That is why not all paring knives offered by Shun will have the same length. This also means that a huge amount of time and attention were spent on crafting, forging, and polishing each blade.

That attention to detail and focus on quality makes the Shun Premier Four-Inch Paring Knife several times worth more than its price. You also won’t be disappointed with the after-sales assistance or services that the company provides.

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