Cu-Mai Chef's Knife - Nakiri (5-1/2 inch) with Ironwood

Product Description for Cu-Mai Chef's Knife - Nakiri (5-1/2 inch) with Ironwood

Maker: Mark Mostert (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105348
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 6.25 in.
Cutting edge length: 5.50 in.
Total length: 11.20 in.
Blade height (at heel): 2.11 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.14 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.15 in.
Item weight: 8.60 oz.
Blade: Hand forged Cu-Mai with an 80CrV2 carbon steel core
Bolster: Antiqued brass
Handle: Desert ironwood
Description: Mark Mostert is an exceptional bladesmtih from South Africa. He started making knives part time in 2019 and presented his work for the first time at the 2020 Brooklyn Knife Show in Pretoria, South Africa. From the start, damascus caught his eye and he began a never-ending quest for information surrounding damascus and forging. As time went by, he started experimenting and is one of a very small group of bladesmiths in the world capable of making copper san mai. Mostert brings skills that are far beyond the limited number of years that he has been forging. His work is currently significantly underpriced and I look forward to him gaining a significant international reputation.
The nakiri is a traditional Japanese knife ideal for chopping fruits and vegetables. The edge is double beveled, like a Western knife. Though sometimes called a vegetable cleaver, the thin edge geometry makes it a precision tool, rather than a Japanese equivalent to meat cleavers. Nakiri make a fantastic choice when slicing and chopping.
Mostert began by forging the san mai blade. An 80CrV2 carbon steel core is surrounded by layers of copper and 1070 carbon steel. The combination of the dark steel with the bright copper is particularly dramatic. 80CrV2 ensures a truly exceptionally keen, long lasting edge. A Fujiwara-inspired finger notch makes this knife especially comfortable in a pinch grip.
The Japanese-inspired octagonal handle is Arizona desert ironwood (Olneya tesota). Ironwood is a rare wood that is only found in the valleys of the Sonoran Desert below 2,500 foot elevation. It is among the most desirable of exotic woods used for knives. The handle is finished with an brass ferrule. Like other knives, this knife should not be put in the dishwasher.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available