Boxwood Snake (Hebi)

Product Description for Boxwood Snake (Hebi)

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 90838
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 2.25 in.
Total length: 5.30 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.31 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.08 in.
Item weight: 1.60 oz.
Blade: Satin finished D2 semi-stainless steel
Bolster: Textured nickel silver
Handle: Carved boxwood
Style: Folding slip joint
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I saw his work when I first encountered it in 2004 and have enjoyed following as he continues to innovate. 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 tool steel. This semi-stainless 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 slip joint mechanism has a half stop.
The handle has been sculpted from boxwood and is carved into the shape of a rotting log. Though carved from one piece of wood, his realistic carving shows the rotting bark in tremendous detail. A lifelike snake slithers out of a knot hole in the log. Following traditional netsuke techniques, the eyes have been double inlaid with cow horn and buffalo horn, bringing a lifelike vibrancy to the carving. Exquisite work from a maker rarely seen in the United States custom knife community!


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