Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
I’ve been using Cutco for about 10 years since I worked for them for a summer Job, and I’m ready for a significant upgrade. As I mention below, the handle has never fit my larger hands (large/extra large gloves). I spent a while researching and came down to a Shun Premier 8”. I went and held one in a store and it felt good, though I’m not quite sure it even has enough clearance for my knuckles.
But then I came across this forum/website and became curious if I could get an equivalent or better knife not made by a giant corporation.
1)Pro or home cook?
Home
2)What kind of knife do you want? (Gyuto, Santoku, Petty, Paring, Sujihiki, etc.)
Gyuto (though recs for a santoku or other all around knife are welcome too)
3) What size knife do you want?
8-10”
4)How much do you want to spend?
Not much more than $200(100-200). I have found a Shun Premier 8" for $180.
5) Do you prefer all stainless, stainless clad over reactive carbon, or all reactive carbon construction?
Stainless or stainless clad. I’ve got a 1yrld and there will be times I won’t be able to care for a high carbon knife.
6)Do you prefer Western or Japanese handle?
Japanese
7)What are your main knife/knives now?
This might hurt to read, but I worked for Cutco about 10+ years back and I’ve been using their 7.5” chef knife as my go to. - i have large/extra large hands, and their handle has never quite been comfortable in my hand. I mostly use pinch grip but if I tied others my knuckles would hit the cutting board. … I wonder if the Shun will even give me enough clearance for knuckles.
8)Are your knife skills excellent, good, fair?
Good
9)What cutting techniques do you prefer? Are you a rocker, chopper or push/pull cutter?
Rocker or push unless I’m trying to do more exact cutting then I pull.
10)Do you know how to sharpen?
Yes and… I had an old stone and more recently got a spyderco tri-angle sharpmaker. I’d appreciate other suggestions if you think what I’ve got isn’t sufficient.
But then I came across this forum/website and became curious if I could get an equivalent or better knife not made by a giant corporation.
1)Pro or home cook?
Home
2)What kind of knife do you want? (Gyuto, Santoku, Petty, Paring, Sujihiki, etc.)
Gyuto (though recs for a santoku or other all around knife are welcome too)
3) What size knife do you want?
8-10”
4)How much do you want to spend?
Not much more than $200(100-200). I have found a Shun Premier 8" for $180.
5) Do you prefer all stainless, stainless clad over reactive carbon, or all reactive carbon construction?
Stainless or stainless clad. I’ve got a 1yrld and there will be times I won’t be able to care for a high carbon knife.
6)Do you prefer Western or Japanese handle?
Japanese
7)What are your main knife/knives now?
This might hurt to read, but I worked for Cutco about 10+ years back and I’ve been using their 7.5” chef knife as my go to. - i have large/extra large hands, and their handle has never quite been comfortable in my hand. I mostly use pinch grip but if I tied others my knuckles would hit the cutting board. … I wonder if the Shun will even give me enough clearance for knuckles.
8)Are your knife skills excellent, good, fair?
Good
9)What cutting techniques do you prefer? Are you a rocker, chopper or push/pull cutter?
Rocker or push unless I’m trying to do more exact cutting then I pull.
10)Do you know how to sharpen?
Yes and… I had an old stone and more recently got a spyderco tri-angle sharpmaker. I’d appreciate other suggestions if you think what I’ve got isn’t sufficient.
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Kohetsu SLD Bunka 210mm https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kosldki21.html
Very tall, and will cut much better than a Shun. It should also stay sharp for much longer.
One thing to note is that the cutting edge is semi-stainless. This means that it will change colors (patina). It can also rust, but in my experience you would have to go out of your way for that to happen. Dry it before you put it away and you should be good.
Very tall, and will cut much better than a Shun. It should also stay sharp for much longer.
One thing to note is that the cutting edge is semi-stainless. This means that it will change colors (patina). It can also rust, but in my experience you would have to go out of your way for that to happen. Dry it before you put it away and you should be good.
-
- Posts: 4904
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2017 2:54 pm
- Location: CT
- Has thanked: 30 times
- Been thanked: 1131 times
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Blue steel clad in stainless, will take a nice dark patina on the edge and is taller than many 240mm gyuto's:
https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kobl2tagy24.html
Another nice one in a 240mm gyuto:
https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kosldgy24.html
https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kobl2tagy24.html
Another nice one in a 240mm gyuto:
https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kosldgy24.html
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
[URLtarget][/URLtarget]
Looks like this Bunka has is more rounded(more curve to the cutting edge) then others I've seen. Can you rock with it much without digging in the tip? I’ve never handled one before so I don’t have any context besides internet videos.
Thanks so much for the response!Infrared wrote: ↑Wed Sep 15, 2021 8:27 am Kohetsu SLD Bunka 210mm https://www.chefknivestogo.com/kosldki21.html
Very tall, and will cut much better than a Shun. It should also stay sharp for much longer.
One thing to note is that the cutting edge is semi-stainless. This means that it will change colors (patina). It can also rust, but in my experience you would have to go out of your way for that to happen. Dry it before you put it away and you should be good.
Looks like this Bunka has is more rounded(more curve to the cutting edge) then others I've seen. Can you rock with it much without digging in the tip? I’ve never handled one before so I don’t have any context besides internet videos.
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
It is not a problem in my experience.Xhailed wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:10 pm Thanks so much for the response!
Looks like this Bunka has is more rounded(more curve to the cutting edge) then others I've seen. Can you rock with it much without digging in the tip? I’ve never handled one before so I don’t have any context besides internet videos.
-
- Posts: 1848
- Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2017 2:44 am
- Location: Auckland, New Zealand
- Has thanked: 345 times
- Been thanked: 572 times
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Hi there Xhailed. Here's another blade for you to consider;
Makoto Sakura SG2 Gyuto 240mm ~ https://www.chefknivestogo.com/masasg2gy24.html
Quality knifemaker, stainless PM (powdered metallurgy) steel that's pretty easy to sharpen, it's tough, holds it's edge for a long time, nice blade grinds, pretty sharp OOTB, 50mm blade height, 76mm around the handle measured at the ferrule junction, the good edge profile (heel to tip) for rocking etc etc
It's only marginally above your USD200 for the Shun, but it's a big improvement on the Shun.
I have this knife in my rotation regularly and it performs very well.
HTH
Makoto Sakura SG2 Gyuto 240mm ~ https://www.chefknivestogo.com/masasg2gy24.html
Quality knifemaker, stainless PM (powdered metallurgy) steel that's pretty easy to sharpen, it's tough, holds it's edge for a long time, nice blade grinds, pretty sharp OOTB, 50mm blade height, 76mm around the handle measured at the ferrule junction, the good edge profile (heel to tip) for rocking etc etc
It's only marginally above your USD200 for the Shun, but it's a big improvement on the Shun.
I have this knife in my rotation regularly and it performs very well.
HTH
Cheers Grant
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Just because you're not paranoid doesn't mean they're not going to get you!!
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Thanks for the rec. looks like a fantastic knife! Right now I’m leaning towards the Kohetsu SLD Bunka 210mm, since I’ve never owned a bunka before (and the price point). This is my first foray into quality knives, but I can easily imagine wanting to get the Makoto Sakura down the line.Radar53 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 16, 2021 11:23 pm Hi there Xhailed. Here's another blade for you to consider;
Makoto Sakura SG2 Gyuto 240mm ~ https://www.chefknivestogo.com/masasg2gy24.html
Quality knifemaker, stainless PM (powdered metallurgy) steel that's pretty easy to sharpen, it's tough, holds it's edge for a long time, nice blade grinds, pretty sharp OOTB, 50mm blade height, 76mm around the handle measured at the ferrule junction, the good edge profile (heel to tip) for rocking etc etc
It's only marginally above your USD200 for the Shun, but it's a big improvement on the Shun.
I have this knife in my rotation regularly and it performs very well.
HTH
Cheers
-
- Posts: 2588
- Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2017 7:42 pm
- Location: Massachusetts
- Has thanked: 342 times
- Been thanked: 247 times
- Contact:
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Have you thought about a tall nakiri? They can be very versatile and give you huge clearance.
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
Thanks for the idea, I just checked them out and they’ve look like they would work well for me. I’ll put it in my list for future knives to check out.
- mauichef
- Posts: 3964
- Joined: Thu Jan 26, 2017 9:10 pm
- Location: Boca Chica, Panama
- Has thanked: 667 times
- Been thanked: 1008 times
- Contact:
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
My first real Japanese knife was a Shun Classic gyuto and it is still in my block and used every week. Stays sharp so long and takes the worst kind of beating. Yes there are obviously many (and probably better) great choices but as a starter knife for a home cook it is still one of my top recommendations. I for one would not talk you out of it if it is something you like the feel and look of.
- billk1002
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 2:26 pm
- Location: Baltimore
- Has thanked: 746 times
- Been thanked: 897 times
Re: Please Talk me out of a Shun Premier 8" - large hands
My 2nd Japanese knife was a Shun Premiere 7" Santoku that I still enjoy using, the only change I would make would be a lighter handle.
Beautiful to look at, nice and sharp, all stainless, very easy to take care of.
Beautiful to look at, nice and sharp, all stainless, very easy to take care of.
Home cook, addicted to knives, stones, food and new recipes.
Bill
Bill