Vegetable Utility (Usuba) with Red Ivory and African Blackwood - 170mm

Product Description for Vegetable Utility (Usuba) with Red Ivory and African Blackwood - 170mm

Maker: Neels van den Berg, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 102149
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 6.75 in.
Cutting edge length: 6.75 in.
Total length: 12.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.80 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.09 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.09 in.
Item weight: 6.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 11.8 oz.
Blade: Antiqued 1070 carbon steel with a tsuchime (hand hammer textured) finish
Bolster: African blackwood
Handle: Red ivory wood
Description: Visiting Journeyman Smith Neels van den Berg's workshop on a recent trip to South Africa with a real treat. His forge is pretty much in the middle of nowhere -- or at least if you kept driving down the road, that is clearly where it would end. The twisting road travels through veldt populated by zebra and other wild animals. Neels is well known for his war hammers, spike hawks, and highly refined knives. Lately he has been trying his hand at making some spectacular kitchen knives.
This single bevel vegetable utility is inspired by the Japanese Usuba. Usuba are used for cutting meats and vegetables into extremely thin slices typical of Japanese cuisine. These blades are quite thin and should not be used on hard rind vegetables. The blade is created specifically for right-handed use.
The high performing 1070 carbon steel blade features an antiqued finish. A tsuchimi (hammered) finish is featured on the flats of the blade to help prevent food sticking. The blade tapers into a thin cutting edge perfect for thin slicing. Neel's maker mark can be seen on the right side of the blade. The spine is nicely rounded for a comfortable pinch grip.
The ambidextrous octagonal handle is made from red ivory wood (Berchemia zeyheri). Red ivory wood is a vibrantly colored, dense, and extraordinary wood, considered by many to be one of the rarest woods in the world. Possession of the wood was once punishable by death if you were not a Zulu king. Due to its small stature, the yield is small, adding to the rarity of this wood. Red ivory wood is found scattered along the southeastern African plains. Only the heartwood produces the stunning color. A ferrule is made from African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon). African blackwood is considered to be among the hardest and densest of woods in the world. A white fiber spacer adds a nice contrast and will help the handle adjust to humidity and temperature changes in the kitchen. This knife is made from carbon steel and like other knives, it should not be put in the dishwasher. We recommend using camellia oil to protect the blade from rusting and the handle from drying out. This knife is sure to become your 'goto' knife and a family heirloom.
Excellent fit and finish throughout!


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