Japanese knife TANTO SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER 25,5 cm, KAI

Product detailed description

When a chef who has spent years in professional kitchens is involved in the development of knives, you expect a slightly different result than from a purely design-led project. SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER is built on combining real-world experience with Japanese KAI manufacturing. It is a collaboration between two worlds that have plenty to say when it comes to knives.

Main advantages:

• KAI SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER TDM-1785 THE LEGEND is an anniversary handcrafted japanese knife created to mark 15 years of collaboration between KAI and Tim Mälzer, combining the character of the SHUN PREMIER series with the traditional Japanese Tantō shape.
• Tim Mälzer is a German professional chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and well-known television personality who has long collaborated with the KAI brand on knives designed with the needs of professional kitchens in mind.
• The anniversary edition THE LEGEND is limited to 6 666 pieces worldwide, and each knife features its own serial number on the metal bolster between the blade and the handle, making it a truly individually marked piece.
• The blade combines a distinctive Tsuchime hammered finish, a delicate Damascus pattern and a highly polished cutting edge, with the anniversary design complemented by the "15 THE LEGEND" logo and Tim Mälzer's signature.
• The Tsuchime hammered finish is not just decorative - the small dimples create air pockets during slicing, which help to reduce food sticking to the blade surface.
• The core of the blade consists of VG-MAX steel with a hardness of 61 ±1 HRC, which forms the foundation for high sharpness and excellent edge retention during regular use.
• The VG-MAX core is surrounded on each side by 32 layers of Damascus steel, so the blade combines a very hard cutting edge with a multi-layered construction that gives it flexibility and the characteristic SHUN pattern.
• The Tantō TDM-1785 features a 25.5 cm long blade and is based on a traditional Japanese shape whose history dates back to short samurai swords; in the kitchen, it offers unusually versatile use when working with larger vegetables, meat and fish.
• The long blade is ideal for portioning and trimming meat, filleting fish and processing larger pieces of vegetables, offering a wide working reach and the ability to make long, smooth cuts.
• The double-bevel edge allows natural use with both the right and left hand and does not require the technique typical of single-bevel Japanese knives.
• The knife is handcrafted in Japan and belongs to the premium KAI range, with the anniversary TDM-1785 designed as both an extraordinary collector's piece and a fully functional working model.
• The brown pakkawood handle features a special ultra-matte finish on this anniversary edition, distinguishing it from the glossier handles of other SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER knives.
• The symmetrical shape of the handle is suitable for both right- and left-handed users, and the full tang helps to create a stable and well-balanced connection of the long blade with handle.
• Pakkawood is treated using resin, giving it moisture resistance, strength and a pleasantly smooth surface while preserving the distinctive grain of the wood.
• The 12 cm long handle provides a secure grip and acts as a counterweight to the long blade, ensuring that despite its unusual proportions, the knife remains highly controllable for precise cutting.
• A weight of 220 g gives the TDM-1785 plenty of stability for working with the long blade without making it a cumbersome tool.
• The exceptional nature of THE LEGEND is also confirmed by the German Design Award 2025 and the Red Dot Award 2025 – awards that this anniversary Tantō received for its product design.
• The TDM-1785 stands on the borderline between a top-class working knife and a collector's edition: the traditional Tantō shape, a limit of 6 666 pieces, an individual serial number and anniversary details give it a character that is unparalleled in the standard SHUN PREMIER range.
• KAI does not treat blades as just another catalogue item – for over a century, it has been developing expertise in cutting edges across kitchen, industrial and other specialised blades.

Additional information:

• blade length: 25,5 cm
• handle length: 12 cm
• blade material: VG-MAX steel core, 32 layers of Damascus steel on each side
• steel hardness: 61 ±1 HRC
• handle material: pakkawood
• awards: German Design Award 2025, Red Dot Award 2025
• not dishwasher safe
• please note: the scope of delivery does not include the knife with serial number 00001 shown in the photograph; the serial number of the specific piece delivered may differ from the number shown in the photograph

Caring for your KAI SHUN PREMIER TIM MÄLZER knife:

• Wash the knife by hand in warm water with a mild detergent and dry it immediately after washing.
• Do not put it in the dishwasher, as high temperatures and harsh detergents can damage both the blade and the handle, shortening the lifespan of the edge.
• Ideally, cut on a wooden or plastic chopping board. Glass, stone, ceramics and metal can dull or damage the edge more quickly.
• Do not use the knife on bones, frozen food, or for prying, twisting or other rough handling of the blade.
• After cutting acidic or salty foods, rinse and dry the knife as soon as possible.
• To restore sharpness, it is best to use a water sharpening stone suitable for Japanese knives.
• Store the knife so that the edge does not come into contact with other metal objects – for example, in a block, on a magnetic strip or with a protective blade cover.
• Do not leave the pakkawood handle wet or submerged in water for a long time; always dry it thoroughly after washing.