It is here.
First of all the KU finish is incredibly smooth, it is completely different to the roughness of my Murata which shows the hammer blows. The edge is a mirror and the weight just as I like it for the knife to go through foods with minimal effort.
The only thing I will have to adapt to is the absence of a flat spot, the edge is a continuous curve from heel to tip so in that way it is very different to my Fujiwara Maboroshi. I see it as an opportunity to refine my technique. Blade thickness is more than what I am used to but it does not get in the way, my blue Murata Nakiri performs marginally better on carrots but it does not have smooth action of the Shig for the rest.
Performance is just excellent, your push cut and chopping action are accompanied by impeccable cutting power and even rocking is easy thanks to the good clearance and the edge shape. The unpolished area between the KU finish and the mirror edge is already taking a gentle patina after a pound of vegetables. Food release is as good as it gets.
Overall I am very impressed by the fit and finish, the performance and how this knife already feels like an old friend in hand. Best of all the price point is fantastic and constitutes a superb entry level offer in the world of Shigefusa. A definite keeper...