Medusa

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Price:$4,500.00

Product Description for Medusa

Maker: Hidetoshi Nakayama (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $4,500.00
Item num: 90837
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 4.90 in.
Total length: 8.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.48 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.18 in.
Item weight: 6.56 oz.
Shipment weight: 16.32 oz.
Blade: D-2 Semi stainless steel
Handle: Mammoth ivory
Description: Knifemaker Hidetoshi Nakayama has been making knives since 1990. I was tremendously impressed when I first encountered his work in 2004 and have enjoyed following his progress 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.
Hidetoshi Nakayama has truly outdone himself in the creation of Medusa. His meticulous attention to detail brings a lifelike vibrancy to the carving. The Gorgon Medusa, with her tresses of venomous snakes and her mortal gaze, has been carved out of a solid piece of pristine ancient mammoth ivory. Each serpent that frames Medusa’s anguished expression is made with exacting precision, writhing protectively around her head. The snake resting on her forehead is carved to appear ready to strike with fangs bared.
The blade, forged from D-2 semi stainless steel, continues in serpentine undulation with curling snakes arising from the spine. The steel has exceptional edge retention and takes a keen edge, while having 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). Nakayama completes the blade with a traditional Japanese kurouchi finish -- the black carbon forge marks on the spine and upper walls transition to a hand satin finished edge.
A wood presentation stand accompanies this stunning piece. Exquisite work from a maker rarely seen in the United States custom knife community!


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