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For those of us who like the newest gadget on the block, Shun has come out with the Shun Elite series of knives
which are distinct from their other lines on several fronts. Shun developed these knives using powdered steel which is a technology that allows the blade to stay sharp longer than regular blades with a steep angle for added sharpness out of the box.

Shun Elite Knives are not for the faint of wallet. The 8" Chef's knife costs a whopping $200. Are they worth this steep price? We think they are. The design of the pakka wood handle is superb, and the blades are exquisite in every detail. We found the balance of the knives to be perfectly centered at the point where your index finger holds the knife which makes the knife feel like an extension of your hand. Finally, the handles and edges are symmetrical which means you do not need a left and right handed version. One size fits all. 

The blade has a distinctive edge pattern that looks like a metallic water mark (the wavy line next to the edge), called a hamon.  The Shun Elite mimics the hamon for aesthetic purposes.  

The cost of this knife is prohibitive to many but only if you think you need a wide variety of knives in the kitchen. Most people have way too many kitchen knives and we recommend only 3 for most kitchens; a chef knife for 80% of your cutting and chopping, a paring knife for more detailed peeling and coring and a bread knife long enough to cut crusty whole loafs. By reducing the amount of knives you need in the kitchen you can afford a high quality chef's knife like this, especially if you consider you will own and enjoy it for decades with proper care.