Handcrafted in Japan, the Shun Premier Grey collection is distinguished by hand-hammered blades that evoke the artistry of traditional hand-forged knives and the cool-grey PakkaWood handles that lend a modern and sophisticated look. Like the Shun Premier collection, Premier Grey knives takes at least 100 handcrafted steps to complete and the materials used are among the most advanced in the industry. Each blade has a cutting core of Shun's proprietary VG-MAX “super steel” to take and hold a precision edge. The layered Damascus cladding supports the core and provides additional stain resistance. Near the edge of the blade, where the steels meet, an undulating line is formed—similar to the hamon formed when samurai swords are tempered using a traditional clay-baking technique. The hammered tsuchime finish acts like a series of hollow-ground cavities to reduce drag. The handles nestle comfortably in the hand, while the embossed end cap adds balance and beauty.