The Shun Classic 8" chef knife also known as the "French" or "Cook's" knife, is the most important knife in the home or professional kitchen. Whether cutting, chopping, or slicing, no other knife is as versatile as the multi-purpose chef's knife because it is a designed to perform a variety of common cutting tasks rather than excelling at any one. The upward curve of the knife's edge allows for a rocking/chopping motion that allows for fast, fine mincing of small foods such as garlic, herbs, or ginger. The wide, flat blade is also excellent for pressing or smacking garlic cloves and popping them out of their papery husks. The chef knife's extra width also makes chopping larger vegetables easy because it keeps your knuckles off the cutting board. In a pinch, it will even work for slicing and carving tasks due to its length and fine balance. For optimal cutting performance, try using a chef's "pinch-grip" which brings greater control and efficiency when you slice, mince, or dice.