Stainless
Stainless Steel
"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice. Takefu Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
"Stainless" means stain-resistant, not stain-proof. In kitchen use, the steel can still discolour or pit if exposed to acidic environments — citrus, vinegar, or salt water — for extended periods. Wash and wipe dry after every use, and avoid leaving the blade soaking in water. With basic care, a stainless knife is very low-maintenance and a great everyday choice. Takefu Special Steel, Japan 🇯🇵
VG-MAX
Hardness
Rockwell C Hardness(HRC) measures how resistant a steel is to permanent deformation. For kitchen knives:
55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.
Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
55–58 HRC — Soft. Easy to sharpen and forgiving of rough use, but dulls faster. Typical of most German knives.
59–61 HRC — Balanced. Good edge retention with manageable sharpening. Common in mid-range Japanese knives.
62–64 HRC — Hard. Excellent edge retention, holds a very fine edge. Requires more care and a fine stone to sharpen.
65+ HRC — Very hard. Exceptional edge longevity but more brittle — more prone to chipping if used roughly.
Higher is not always better — it depends on how you use and maintain your knife.
60–61
HRC
555759616365+
VG-MAX is a proprietary stainless steel developed by Kai (the maker of Shun knives) as an upgraded version of VG10. It’s designed specifically for kitchen knives, balancing sharpness, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Knives in VG-MAX
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KAI
Shun Classic Bread Knife 22cm (9")
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KAI
Shun Classic Chef's Knife 20cm (8")
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KAI
Shun Classic Santoku Knife 18cm (7")
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KAI
Shun Classic Utility Knife 15cm (6")
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KAI
Shun Classic Paring Knife 9cm (3.5")
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KAI
Shun Premier Bread Knife 23cm
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KAI
Shun Premier Chef's Knife 20cm (8")
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KAI
Shun Premier Utility Santoku 18cm (7")
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KAI
Shun Premier Utility Knife 16cm (6.5")
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KAI
