Kitchen knife guides · Updated September 17, 2026
GLOBAL vs Shun: G-2 or Classic DM0706?
Start with the handles: GLOBAL G-2 uses stainless steel, while Shun Classic DM0706 uses D-shaped Pakkawood. These are two specific Japanese chef’s knives with different grips, not two complete brands ranked by durability.
Our recommendation
Try both handles before choosing. Consider Shun if you value its documented US service programme; consider G-2 if you prefer its steel handle, after confirming US seller support and price. We could not establish a current US G-2 reference price.
The main differences
| Detail | GLOBAL G-2 20 cm Cook Knife | Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife |
|---|---|---|
| US reference price | Check current US price | $189.95 |
| Blade | 20 cm blade; 33 cm overall (Japanese manufacturer listing) | 8 in / 203 mm; manufacturer lists a 16° edge per side |
| Weight | 170 g (Japanese manufacturer listing) | 6.7 oz / 190 g (manufacturer) |
| Steel | Molybdenum-vanadium stainless blade; double-bevel edge | VG-MAX core with stainless Damascus cladding |
| Handle and bolster | 18-8 stainless steel handle | D-shaped ebony-colour Pakkawood; 5 in handle |
Source links and price qualifications appear with each model below. On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways.
Which design suits you?
Stainless handle: The Japanese manufacturer lists a 20 cm blade and 170 g weight. Confirm the local G-2 version and try the grip; it is not automatically the best knife for small hands.
A stainless handle to compare in person
GLOBAL G-2 20 cm Cook Knife
Check current US price
Model: G-2
Why consider it: A useful alternative to Shun’s D-shaped Pakkawood handle if you prefer steel. Try the exact knife in your normal grip; the lower listed weight alone does not establish better control.
Main trade-off: We could not verify a current US reference price or US warranty terms. Confirm the local version, seller support and total price. It is excluded from our budget shortlists.
- Blade
- 20 cm blade; 33 cm overall (Japanese manufacturer listing)
- Weight
- 170 g (Japanese manufacturer listing)
- Steel
- Molybdenum-vanadium stainless blade; double-bevel edge
- Handle and bolster
- 18-8 stainless steel handle
Sharpening and care
Yoshikin warns against hard ingredients including frozen food, pumpkin, corn, bones and shells. It recommends wood or soft plastic boards. Do not use the blade as a lever.
D-shaped Pakkawood: The US listing gives a 203 mm blade, 190 g weight and a $189.95 reference price. The handle and access to service are the main reasons to compare it.
A D-shaped handle and a US sharpening programme
Shun Classic 8-inch Chef’s Knife
$189.95US manufacturer reference
Model: DM0706
Why consider it: Compare it if you like the D-shaped handle and want access to Shun’s US sharpening programme. The patterned cladding is a design feature, not proof that it outlasts a plain blade.
Main trade-off: The handle shape is personal. Avoid bones, frozen foods, pits and twisting in a cut. Free sharpening does not mean free shipping or coverage for accidental damage.
- Blade
- 8 in / 203 mm; manufacturer lists a 16° edge per side
- Weight
- 6.7 oz / 190 g (manufacturer)
- Steel
- VG-MAX core with stainless Damascus cladding
- Handle and bolster
- D-shaped ebony-colour Pakkawood; 5 in handle
Sharpening and care
Hand-wash and dry; use the manufacturer’s cutting and sharpening instructions. US warranty/service returns carry a $15 shipping and processing fee, plus your outbound postage; confirm current terms.
Use the weight figures as context
The listed weights come from different manufacturer listings, not our own measurements on matched samples. They help describe these models but cannot prove which feels better balanced in your hand.
Try your usual grip with dry hands. Check for pressure points, secure control and knuckle clearance. A return policy matters if you cannot handle the knife before ordering.
Care and service can decide the purchase
Yoshikin warns against hard ingredients including frozen food, pumpkin, corn, bones and shells for G-2. Shun also restricts bones, frozen foods and pits. Neither is an all-purpose tool for forcing through hard ingredients.
Shun publishes a US sharpening programme with shipping and processing charges. We did not establish comparable current US G-2 service terms. That is a research gap, not evidence that GLOBAL has no warranty or support.
Warranty and service limits
Defect coverage and routine edge maintenance are different. Read the linked terms for your country and confirm eligibility with the seller or brand.
Shun / Kai USA
Non-transferable limited lifetime defect warranty for the original owner. Normal wear, rust, accidents and misuse are excluded.
Authorised-dealer purchases only. Kai USA handles products purchased in the USA, Canada or Mexico; other regions need their local service route.
US return shipping and processing is $15, plus outbound postage. The sharpening programme has service limits; do not assume every chip or broken tip can be repaired.
GLOBAL / Yoshikin
Current US warranty duration and claim conditions were not established in this review. We do not substitute Japanese sales terms for a US policy.
Ask the US seller to confirm authenticity, return terms and the distributor responsible for defects.
The linked manufacturer model information establishes specifications and care limits, not a US repair entitlement. Confirm service and shipping costs before purchase.
Questions before you buy
Is GLOBAL better for small hands than Shun?
We have not measured handle circumference or tested fit with different hand sizes. Try the specific handles. Weight and handle material alone do not establish small-hand suitability.
Is Shun sharpening completely free?
The programme does not make postage free. Kai USA lists a $15 US return shipping and processing fee; your outbound postage is additional. Eligibility and service limits also apply.
Why is there no GLOBAL US price here?
We verified G-2 specifications through Yoshikin but could not establish a current US reference price. We have not converted a Japanese price into an assumed US offer, and exclude it from budget recommendations.