Shun Ken Onion Chef Knife Vs Global G-2 Chef Knife

These are two of my favorite chef’s knives, but for very different reasons. While they both have an ultra-modern design, that’s one of the few similarities they share. They are both great chef’s knives for different reasons, and I would gladly recommend either one, depending on the task at hand.

General description

Although both knives receive my highest recommendation, they are in different contexts.

Ken Onion knives are innovative designs, very different from any traditional kitchen knife. They are extremely ergonomic and are perfectly suited for cutting, mincing and slicing. Its high carbon core and edge give it a wicked touch, but the layers of Damascus steel give it flexibility and stain resistance. It is an aesthetically impressive knife.

However, it is an unusual design, so it may not be the best if the chef is not willing to get used to the design. They are also significantly more expensive for what is ultimately a designer knife, so they may not be well suited to a busy professional kitchen where someone can take your knife off the line and abuse it.

The Global line of knives, on the other hand, is a study of modern minimalism. By all appearances, forged from a single block of high vanadium and molybdenum steel, its hollow shank makes it extremely lightweight. It’s a more Japanese design, trading the heavy cushion and finger guard for simple elegance. For a high-quality knife, Global knives are extremely reasonably priced.

On the other side of the coin, the steel in this knife may not give you the toughness or sharpness of high-carbon or high-carbon stainless steel. Molybdenum improves its toughness and vanadium improves its grain (for sharpness), but it will need very regular polishing to keep up with better steels, and it may never have as sharp an edge as its high-carbon counterparts.

Specific comparisons

Blade shape

Both the Shun Ken Onion knife and the Global knife are designed according to Japanese tradition. They do not have a heavy reinforcement or a toe guard that extends to the heel of the blade. However, this is where the similarities end. The Global G-2 has a typically conical blade shape, with a belly that gradually slopes down to the tip. The Shun Ken Onion knife has a more exaggerated twist on the belly as it gets closer to the tip, a design meant to make cutting an easier and safer task.

Handle shape

Global knives have a more typical handle shape that accommodates a variety of different grips based on personal preference. It’s small enough to be comfortable even for cooks with smaller hands, and its light weight makes it easy to use. However, the Ken Onion handle and head are designed to work with the pinch grip only, the preferred method of holding a knife by most chefs, but not suitable for other ways of holding the knife.

Global knives also have a very robust handle, being all one continuous piece of steel. The Ken Onion has a composite handle consisting of a full tang that extends from the core of the knife and a synthetic handle cover that is held in place by rivets.

Steel

Shun Ken Onion knives are all composite blades made from more than one type of steel. A high-carbon steel core extends to the edge, providing excellent sharpness and edge retention. The core is then sandwiched between 16 layers of corrugated Damascus steel, a softer stainless steel that protects the brittle core from breakage and staining. The textured surface also traps air, preventing food from sticking to the blade.

Global uses stainless steel that is high in moly and vanadium for its knives. Steel is hardened by molybdenum and sharpness enhanced by vanadium, but still doesn’t hold up as well against high-carbon or high-carbon stainless steel.

Price

The Global is clearly the best buy. At less than half the price of the Shun Ken onion, it is excellent value for a premium chef’s knife. Ken Onion knives demand a premium for their aesthetics and complex design, and they are certainly worth the price, but they may not suit everyone’s budget.

Conclusions.

It’s a bet which of these knives I like the best. The Global is elegant, simple and much cheaper. The Shun Ken Onion is superb, ultra high performance, but it comes at an extra cost. So here are my recommendations:

The Global G-2 Chef’s Knife is best for the professional in a busy kitchen, the picky home gourmet with a budget in mind, or someone looking for a light, utilitarian knife to add to their kitchen.

Shun Ken Onion Chef Knife is ideal for highly individual chefs who need the highest performance available, whether in a professional kitchen or at home. Similarly, the aesthetic appeal of this knife makes it both a decorative accessory and a kitchen utensil, making it the perfect addition to the kitchen for those for whom cost is not an issue.