Carved Boxwood Cat (Neko)

Product Description for Carved Boxwood Cat (Neko)

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 84967
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 1.87 in.
Total length: 5.09 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.42 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Item weight: 1.76 oz.
Blade: D2 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Handle: Sculpted boxwood
Style: Slip joint folder
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I first saw his work in 2004 and have been very pleased to bring a selection of the best of his knives to the United States each year since. 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 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. Hand satin finished and antiqued blade. The handle has been sculpted from a single piece of boxwood. A cat sleeps serenely on the textured surface. Exquisite work from a maker rarely seen in the United States custom knife community!


Availability: Not currently available