Honyaki Integral Chef’s Knife (9-1/3) With Laotian Rosewood

Product for Honyaki Integral Chef’s Knife (9-1/3) with Laotian Rosewood

Maker: Enso Forge (William Kalkbrenner) (click to see more by this maker)

Price: $1,250.00

Item num: 106122

*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 9.36 in.
Cutting edge length: 9.36 in.
Total length: 14.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 2.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.08 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 9.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 28 oz.
Blade: Hand forged W2 carbon steel, with a honyaki clay-zone heat treatment
Bolster: Integral W2 carbon steel
Handle: Laotian rosewood

: William Kalkbrenner of Enso Forge is a 32 year old talented blacksmith and bladesmith from Pittsburgh, PA. He has been welding and working with metal since he was 14 years old and was a full time welder until he made his venture into full time knifemaking. William specializes in making kitchen knives influenced by the high performing knives of Japan. He has an extremely high attention to the detail and builds knives that will be just as pleasurable to use as they are to look at. William uses the Enso sacred symbol in Zen Buddhism as his maker’s mark. This symbol is traditionally drawn using only one brushstroke as a meditative practice in letting go of the mind and allowing the body to create, as the singular brushstroke allows for no modifications. While at first glance, the enso symbol appears no more than a misshapen circle, it symbolizes many things: the beauty in imperfection, the art of letting go of expectations, the circle of life, and connection. The Enso is a manifestation of the artist at the moment of creation and the acceptance of our innermost self. It symbolizes strength, elegance, and one-mindedness. An incomplete circle allows more movement for development as William is constantly improving his craft.
The gyuto is modeled after the French pattern chef’s knife. This is the essential kitchen knife. Longer and slimmer than the santoku, it is the general purpose chef’s knife. This knife has plenty of finger clearance for the rocking chop needed to chop and has the length for controlled slices. This is an elegant chef’s knife that is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
The 9-1/3 inch blade was hand forged to shape from W2 carbon steel. It was heat treated using a traditional Japanese clay zone heat treatment. This technique, known as honyaki, creates some of the longest lasting edges found anywhere. The ultra-hard edge steel is supported by the softer spine. The dramatic heat treatment line (called a hamon) shows the transition between the soft and hard steel. This hamon is particularly dramatic.
The bolster is integral to the blade. This technique has superior structural integrity and requires a particularly talented smith. Integral bolsters bring the balance point to be right at the front of the bolster. The bolster is shaped to emulate a Japanese octagonal handle and provides a comfortable, ambidextrous grip.
The bolster meets perfectly to a sculpted Laotian Rosewood (Dalbergia cochinchinensis) handle. This durable hardwood has a beautiful grain and will hold up well the demands of a professional or home kitchen. The contoured handle is extremely comfortable both in a pinch grip and when holding the handle further back. This is sure to be a favorite in your kitchen!
Excellent work throughout!

Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days