Dragonfly

Product Description for Dragonfly

Maker: Koji Hara (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 98248
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 3.10 in.
Cutting edge length: 2.80 in.
Total length: 7.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.83 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.12 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.03 in.
Item weight: 4.40 oz.
Shipment weight: 20.6 oz.
Blade: Mirror polished Cowry Y stainless steel, heat treated to 67 Rc
Handle: Stainless steel inlaid with premium whitelip mother of pearl and decorated with maki-e
Sheath: Kiriwood presentation box and kimono fabric pouch
Style: Folding liner lock
Description: Koji Hara's inimitable style has won him admiration from collectors and fellow knifemakers alike. He consistently creates knives that are renowned for their precision, craftsmanship, and performance. Dragonfly is among his masterworks to date.
The steel Koji prefers is a powdered metallurgical steel not available in the United States, capable of a higher hardness without being brittle compared to American steels. Over the last few years, Cowry Y has become increasingly hard to find, even in Japan. The resulting blade has extremely good edge retention. The mirror polished surface is only possible though meticulous polishing with diamond dust and a tooth brush! The well centered blade has excellent action, and is completed with a thumb stud inlaid with black lip mother of pearl.
Each side of the stainless steel handle is inlaid with central sections of presentation grade whitelip mother of pearl. The mother of pearl is particularly dramatic, with dramatic flash and underlying texture. Each side is decorated with images of dragonflies soaring above a watery surface. The images are created using the Maki-e technique (literally 'sprinkled picture'). This technique, which was developed during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE), involves Japanese lacquer sprinkled with rose gold, yellow gold, and platinum powder using a kebo brush. The result is a tremendously detailed, lifelike image that can be created in no other way. Maki-e objects were initially designed as household items for court nobles, though they were soon adopted by royal families and military leaders as a symbol of power. Inlaid sections of abalone add tremendous accent.
Front and rear bolsters are enhanced with tsuchime, or a hammered finish, on the metal. The mirror polished stainless steel backbar is inlaid with six sections of goldlip mother of pearl.
The knife is accompanied by a padded kiriwood presentation box and a pouch sewn from kimono fabric.
Exceptional fit and finish throughout!


Availability: Not currently available