Western Damascus Petit Gyuto/Utility Knife with Koa Handle - 160mm (6-1/3 in)

Product Description for Western Damascus Petit Gyuto/Utility Knife with Koa Handle - 160mm (6-1/3 in)

Maker: Daniel O'Malley (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 89453
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 6.30 in.
Total length: 10.65 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.32 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.10 in.
Item weight: 4.30 oz.
Blade: Deeply etched stainless nickel Damascus san mai with SG2 powdered metallurgical stainless steel, Rc 64-65
Bolster: Satin finished pinned steel bolster
Handle: Stabilized spalted curly koa
Description: This one-of-a-kind knife is a collaboration between bladesmiths Asai and Daniel O'Malley. During one of his visits in Japan, Mr. O'Malley met with Asai to discuss the possibility of working on a series of collaborative knives. Asai would forge and finish the blade. Mr. O'Malley would finish the tang and bolsters, completing the knife with deluxe handles better fit for the Western market.
This 6-1/3 inch utility knife is a great general purpose knife for tasks around the kitchen. The slender blade makes it very useful and versatile from slicing fruit and tomatoes to chopping garlic. The long slender blade makes a more accurate and cleaner cut than a taller and thicker chef's knife.
This knife was hand-forged by Asai beginning with an SG2 powdered metallurgical (PM) stainless steel core (hagane). The smaller crystalline size of this PM steel results in superior edge holding when compared to nearly any stainless steel. The central core is surrounded by many layers of deeply etched nickel Damascus. These many layers of steel result in a surface that helps food release from the knife's side when cut. This time consuming process creates a knife with outstanding edge holding and beauty. The blade is distal tapered for optimal balance and has an extremely thin, keen edge for the highest performance.
The handle was formed from stabilized spalted curly koa. A single piece of wood was cut so as to have the wood's curled grain pattern travel across the distal tapered tang. This wood is among the rarest woods that I have encountered. Not only is the koa exceptionally tightly curled, but finding this in conjunction with spalting is nearly unheard of. The handle is profiled so as to be very comfortable and provide a secure hold. It swells both at the palm and at the back. Two hidden bolt rivets and a complex mosaic pin secure the scales to the tang. The rivets are stainless steel and have been profiled to match the wood. The mosaic pin combines stainless steel with copper. This knife feels as good as it looks.


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