African Blackwood Santoku (7 1/2")

Product Description for African Blackwood Santoku (7 1/2")

Maker: Bill Burke, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 86484
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 7.50 in.
Total length: 12.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 2.05 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.13 in.
Item weight: 7.60 oz.
Blade: Hon warikomi blade combining a 52100 carbon steel core with 416 stainless steel sides
Bolster: Fine silver
Handle: African blackwood
Description: Bill Burke, who was honored as a Master Smith June 2008, is best known for creating some of the best hunters that can be found anywhere. Over the last few years, he also put his attention to creating a small number of chef's knives. The results are exceptional.
The santoku is the traditional Japanese chef's knife. This comfortable design is a fantastic multipurpose chopper. The santoku has quickly become the new favorite for chefs in the West.
The blade was hand forged in a technique known as hon warikomi. This modification of san mai (three layers) forges stainless steel to the sides of a carbon steel blade. The result is the exceptional edge holding of carbon steel with significantly easier care.
Like his hunting knives, this santoku was pre-tested for edge flex and cutting ability before assembly. The heat treatment followed the formulas developed by Mastersmith Ed Fowler in conjunction with Bill and has been proven to create some of the sharpest and most long lasting edges found anywhere.
A differential heat treatment is clearly visible in the "hamon" lines moving across the side of the blade. This is even more dramatic when mixed with the transition line from 416 stainless steel to 52100 carbon steel. Aside from its dramatic appearance, a differential heat treatment results in a soft, supportive spine and an extremely hard, long lasting edge.
A fine silver ferrule and habaki (blade guard) make a nice transition between handle and blade. The octagonal handle is formed from African blackwood -- one of the hardest woods found anywhere. The knife has perfect balance and feels exceptional in the hand.


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