Ivory Kawazu (Frog)

Product Description for Ivory Kawazu (Frog)

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 3706
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 1.50 in.
Total length: 4.12 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.23 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.06 in.
Item weight: 0.96 oz.
Blade: D2
Handle: Fossil mammoth ivory
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I saw his work at the East Coast Custom Knife Show in March 2004 and was very pleased when I was again able to offer his work this year. He has been a netsuke artist for over 10 years. Netsuke is a unique form of small sculpture which developed as an art form in Japan over a period of more than three hundred years, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes. Over time netsuke, which started as a toggle used to stop the kimono cord from slipping, began to feature elaborate carving, lacquer work, and inlays of rare and exotic materials including ivory, wood, precious metals, shell, coral, and semiprecious stones. Clearly the attention necessary for carving fine figures in netsuke has transferred to his knife making.
The blade of this small folder is D2 carbon steel. This carbon steel has exceptional edge retention and takes on a keen edge, while having a relatively high chromium content. This chromium content makes the blade fairly resistant to rusting and oxidation (though not to the point of true stainless steel). The blade has a unique shape that is very true to Japanese style and effect. The thumb nicks are pieced, going clear through the blade, for easy left or right handed opening. The spine has been fileworked into the shape of bamboo. Hand satin finished blade. The handle has been sculpted from fossil mammoth ivory and is detailed into the shape of bamboo. A lifelike frog sits on the bamboo. Following traditional netsuke techniques, the eyes have been double inlaid with cow horn and buffalo horn, bringing a vibrancy to the carving. Exquisite work from a maker rarely seen in the United States custom knife community!


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