Today was my knife. First, I would observe that both focus and balance of the knife (as described with other here) are really good. Emphasis is placed exactly between the handle and blade. Two points I want to mention, however, that open up to me at the first of the (quite noble) wooden box stood out.
With such expensive product counts for me mainly the quality - so please do not misunderstand. My first attempts were fun, but:
On the one hand, the blade does not look as shown here. My is highly polished, almost "chrome" might think. Why this is a negative point? Well, for one, the less consistent natural finish of Damascus steel occurs thereby not so nice to days. Secondly, for me the picture of the knife was an overall lovely spot. The gray, not polished or reworked steel, has for me a completely different aesthetics, as a reflective blade. Perhaps someone understand. The second point regarding optics is another engraving or lettering as shown. It is appropriate including in addition to the Chinese characters still a kitschy golden "Shun". General pierces the label (perhaps because of the polish) particularly prominent. Less More would have been here, because the back is inscribed in detail. Sounds silly perhaps, but just simplicity makes me often the beautiful aesthetics. Even the hammer works by much more evenly. Furthermore, (ie, the rear end of the knife), a very childish Stierkopf icon attached to the front side of the handle, with crossed fork-knife icon behind. What shoud that?
The second criticism: As described here is the handle made of dark brown walnut. The feels good, has a good grip and nice. The stainless steel Brass Ring Mount looks classy and simple. Actually very nice, were it not for the smell. The wood-impregnating agent smells so awful that I have washed the handle first thoroughly with detergent and hot water. Can you do anyway. But honestly, a little less toxic smelling one can safely assume. Both hand and tea towel smell now after this gruesome stuff. Let's see how long it takes the air out ..
The knife is great, feels good in the hand and is sharp as hell! Only the visual impression has not at all convinced me - almost as if I had received another Editiopn, represented as here. 3 stars because my points made have spoiled my first impression.
