Koi

Product Description for Koi

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 90046
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 2.05 in.
Total length: 5.20 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.66 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.09 in.
Item weight: 2.00 oz.
Blade: Hand satin finished HMS-67 stainless steel, Hrc 59
Bolster: Textured stainless steel
Handle: Honey horn with carved koi
Style: Slip joint folder
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I first encountered his work back in 2004 and now, 8 years later, his work has continued to grow and develop. I am very pleased to be able to offer his work again this year.
Nakayama-san has been a netsuke artist for over 15 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 is formed from HMS-67 stainless steel and is heat treated to Hrc 59 for exceptional edge holding and durability. The upswept blades have a unique shape that is very true to Japanese style and aesthetics.
Honey toned buffalo horn scales are inlaid into the stainless steel frame. The left scale depicts a three dimensional koi, carved into the horn. Nakayama-san began by carving the horn from the interior, creating texture and dimensionality. He then painted the koi so that the brilliant colors would shine through the horn. The koi is tremendously lifelike and vibrant. Exquisite work from a maker rarely seen in the United States custom knife community!


Availability: Not currently available