I happened across this last week while Christmas shopping in a NJ HomeGoods. it’s the Shun Sora 8 inch chef knife, an ‘entry level’ Shun if you will. I had a bit of doubt at first. I own a few Shuns: an 8 inch Classic, Ken Onion Santuku and a 6 inch utility. This one holds its own in the sharpness arena. its lightweight handle feels pretty good in the hand and controls easy enough to slice super-this tomato et al. I use the forefinger/thumb on the bolster technique and it’s all good.
VG10 san mai cutting edge with a Japanese 420J stainless steel upper.
I paid $49.99 which in the grand scheme of things is quite amazing. I can’t say my 8 inch classic is any sharper. ($130)
I’ve never seen good knives at tjmaxx/homegoods. Personally, I don’t find much value in most of the Shun lineups, but $50 for a VG10 clad knife is decent as long as you like the fit/finish/feel.
I had purchased my 8 inch Classic Shun at HG for like $79. I went back later in the week the Shun packages all had old knives in them. I brought it to the managers attention that they had been had. Too easy to rip-off I guess so the closest store no longer carries good knives, and smartly so. They should train the staff better. This weeks purchase was in the Woodbridge NJ store. They had about 6 and some other size utility looking one.
Just called my wife who is at Home Goods. She searched and searched but said no deal. Then she found one that was hidden. For $50 that is a nice deal. Probably keep it but I may gift it.
