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Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440)

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) is cheaper at $124. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) or Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440)?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) is the cheaper at $124.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440)
US price $189.95 $124
BrandShunMisen
Released
Blade length (mm) 203 203
Steel type VG-MAX stainless steel core, clad in 34 layers per side of Damascus stainless AICHI ACUTO440 stainless steel (current line, per misen.pro); the unit independently tested by TechGearLab was AUS-10 stainless, suggesting a steel change across Misen's product versions
Hardness hrc 60 53
Handle material PakkaWood (Ebony finish), D-shaped POM (polymer), ergonomic, triple-riveted
Edge angle degrees 16 14
Weight grams 201 227
Full tang No Yes
Blade finish Damascus-clad, hand-sharpened, NSF certified Stamped, satin

Sources — Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706): abt.com (verified 2026-08-01). Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440): misen.pro (verified 2026-08-01).

What's the difference between the Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) and Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (7 of 8). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Steel type: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) VG-MAX stainless steel core, clad in 34 layers per side of Damascus stainless vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) AICHI ACUTO440 stainless steel (current line, per misen.pro); the unit independently tested by TechGearLab was AUS-10 stainless, suggesting a steel change across Misen's product versions
  • Hardness hrc: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) 60 vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) 53
  • Handle material: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) PakkaWood (Ebony finish), D-shaped vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) POM (polymer), ergonomic, triple-riveted
  • Edge angle degrees: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) 16 vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) 14
  • Weight grams: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) 201 vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) 227
  • Full tang: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) false vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) true
  • Blade finish: Shun Classic 8-Inch Chef's Knife (DM0706) Damascus-clad, hand-sharpened, NSF certified vs Misen 8-Inch Chef's Knife (ACUTO440) Stamped, satin

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