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We are excited to announce that Michael was honored as a Mastersmith by the American Bladesmith Society on June 4th, 2010. A very small number of masters are honored each year and it shows a tremendous accomplishment and many years of work! Each year, the B.R. Hughes Award is presented in recognition of the knife judged to be the best submitted for review by a new mastersmith. Michael Rader won the B.R. Hughes Award for his mastersmith presentation dagger. Michael was honored as a Journeyman Smith in June of 2006.
Michael Rader lives and works out of a small shop in the Washington State Cascade Foothills and has been a full time maker since 2002.
He trained in eight different martial arts styles throughout his life and continues to practice Tai Chi and Pentjak Silat daily. His blades are hand forged to shape using a 42 inch long barrel forge. The handles, scabbards, and display stands are hand sanded and oil finished in a process that takes nearly two weeks and provides a custom gunstock-quality finish.
Michael is a maker that is constantly experimenting. He continuously evaluates his knives for cutting dynamics and edge geometry -- evolving his designs and developing new techniques. His work incorporates influences from many styles, cultures, and histories, though he does not follow any traditional or historical styling. His sole interest is in making an original modern knife or sword and not a replica-of-a-copy-of-an-original.
Michael has spent years experimenting with heat treatment -- one of the secrets to any high performance knife. He continuously improves his heat treatment and regularly tests his blades, taking them to the limit. Each blade is tested to make sure that it will bend 45 degrees and return true. The edge is tempered so that it is hard enough to stay sharp but won't chip and can be easily sharpened. Intuitive, organic design has its place throught Michael's planning, but in the later phases of construction, he makes every attempt to create an intelligent sword or knife. He is a firm believer in the old adage, "Form follows function" and tries to adhere to that as much as possible even in his art knives.
Michael's woodworking skills are exceptional and a hallmark of his style. Swooping archs are perfectly combines into elegant and dramatic handles and sheath. Though many collectors first mention Michael's wood inlay designs when talking about his knives, Michael intends the sculpting and carving to be ergonomic first and beautiful second. The result is both a captivating knife and one that is so comfortable that you won't want to put it down.
Affiliations
Amboyna Burl Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Amboyna Burl Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Amboyna Burl Magnetic Knife Strip (16") |
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Amboyna Burl Magnetic Knife Strip (16") |
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Amboyna Burl Magnetic Knife Strip (18") |
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Chef's Knife (7 1/2 in.) with Curly Koa and Box Elder Burl |
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Chef's Knife (8 3/4 in.) with Curly Maple and Koa |
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Chef's Knife (9 1/4") with Curly Maple |
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Chef's Knife (9") with Maple Burl and Box Elder Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Nakiri - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Nakiri - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Nakiri - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Nakiri - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku - (170mm / 6-2/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Santoku with Maple (7 in) |
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Chef's Knife with Bubinga and Box Elder Burl (8 1/2 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Curly Koa and Box Elder Burl (9-3/4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Curly Koa and Walrus Ivory (9 3/4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Curly Mango, Box Elder Burl and Curly Koa (10 1/2 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Curly Mango, Maple Burl and Box Elder (9.4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Curly Maple and Maple Burl (9 3/4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Mango Wood, Box Elder Burl and Curly Koa (11-1/4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Maple (5 2/3) |
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Chef's Knife with Maple (8-1/4 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Maple (9-1/2 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Maple and Amboyna Burl (6 1/2 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Spalted Maple and Box Elder Burl (10 in.) |
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Chef's Knife with Sun Ray Maple (9-1/4 in) |
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Cherry and Peruvian Walnut Bowl |
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Curly Maple Magnetic Knife Strip (16") |
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Damascus Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (9-1/4 in) with Damascus and Pearwood |
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Damascus Chef's Knife with Maple Burl and Curly Koa (7 3/4 in.) |
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Damascus Chef's Knife with Maple Burl and Curly Maple (10 3/4 in.) |
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Damascus Chef's Knife with Maple Burl and Curly Maple (6 1/2 in.) |
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Damascus Paring Knife (3") with Curly Maple and Lacewood |
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Damascus Paring Knife (4-1/2") with Curly Koa and Box Elder |
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Damascus Santoku (Chef's Knife) with Curly Koa and Box Elder (7 1/4 in.) |
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Damascus Slicer |
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Edge Arch with Maple and Walnut Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Fruit Knife with Koa and Blackwood |
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Handmade Paring Knife (3 1/2") with Koa and Box Elder Burl |
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Handmade Paring Knife (3 3/4") with Koa and Box Elder Burl |
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Handmade Paring Knife (3 7/8") with Maple Burl |
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Integral Chef's Knife (10 3/4") with Curly Koa and Maple |
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Integral Nakiri Chef's Knife (7-3/4") with Curly Koa and Box Elder Burl - 52100 |
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Integral Santoku (6-3/4 in.) with Lacewood and Box Elder Burl |
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Integral Slicer (12 in.) with Curly Pear and Box Elder Burl - 52100 |
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Integral Slicer (7-1/2") with Oak Burl and Blackwood |
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Paring Knife (3 1/3") with Koa and Box Elder Burl |
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Paring Knife (3 1/4") with Curly Maple and Koa |
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Paring Knife (3 2/3") with Bubinga and Lacewood |
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Paring Knife (3 2/3") with Koa and Blackwood |
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Paring Knife (3 2/3") with Koa and Box Elder Burl |
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Paring Knife Curly Koa and Box Elder |
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Petit Santoku - Mustard finish with Bubinga and Koa (6 1/8") |
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Puzzle Piece Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Puzzle Piece Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Puzzle Piece Magnetic Knife Strip (16") |
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Red Malle Wood Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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San Mai Damascus Paring Knife (3 in.) with Curly Koa and Ancient Walrus Ivory |
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Santoku (8 1/2 in.) with Curly Koa and Box Elder |
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Santoku with Bubinga and Box Elder Burl (7 1/4 in.) |
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Santoku with Curly Koa and Blackwood |
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Santoku with Curly Koa and Blackwood (7 in) |
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Santoku with Curly Koa and Blackwood (7.9 in) |
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Santoku with Curly Maple and Maple Burl |
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Santoku with Curly Maple and Maple Burl (6 3/4 in.) |
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Santoku with Koa and Box Elder Burl (7 1/4 in.) |
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Santoku with Koa and Elder Burl |
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Santoku with Koa and Maple |
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Santoku with Maple and Koa (6 1/4 in) |
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Santoku with Maple Burl and Curly Maple (7 2/3 in) |
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Santoku with Maple Burl and Curly Maple (8 1/2 in.) |
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Santoku with Sheoak Burl |
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Santoku with Spalted Maple Burl and Curly Koa |
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Slicing Knife with Curly Mango, Koa and Box Elder (13-1/2 in) |
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Slicing Knife with Koa and Box Elder Burl (5 3/4 in.) |
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Slicing Knife with Koa and Maple (5 1/3 in.) |
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Stretch Santoku with Curly Maple and Amboyna Burl |
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Utility - Slicer - (160mm / 6-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility - Slicer - (160mm / 6-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility - Slicer - (160mm / 6-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Vegetable Knife - Nakiri (7 3/4 in) with Curly Koa |
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Walnut Magnetic Knife Strip (12") |
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Walnut Magnetic Knife Strip (16") |
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Walnut Magnetic Knife Strip (18") |
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Walnut Magnetic Knife Strip (20") |
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Paring Knife (3-1/3 in.) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Paring Knife (3-1/2 in.) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Paring Knife (3-1/2 in.) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Paring Knife (3-1/2 in.) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Paring Knife (3-1/3 in.) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility Knife - Fruit - (135mm / 5-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility Knife - Fruit - (135mm / 5-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility Knife - Fruit - (135mm / 5-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Utility Knife - Fruit - (5-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (210mm / 8-1/4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (10-1/3 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (10.4 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (240mm / 9-1/2 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (240mm / 9-1/2 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (240mm / 9-1/2 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Chef's Knife - Gyuto - (240mm / 9-1/2 in) with Stainless Damascus and Maple Burl |
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Gatsby Steak Knife with SG2 Stainless Damascus San Mai and Cocobolo Liberty Wood (Set of 4)
Messermeister Edge Guards are a perfect way to protect the edge of your knife. They are especially convenient for in-drawer storage and are perfect for storing and transporting knives in knife rolls and bags.
$5.60 Details
Renaissance Wax is the #1 choice of major museums and art galleries for the preservation of the precious pieces.
Renaissance Wax is a revolutionary formula that is a semi-synthetic micro-crystalline fossil-origin wax entirely free of, damaging acids. It remains chemically neutral and is therefore completely safe, even on vulnerable surfaces.
Guard your precious pieces against the damaging effects of humidity, heat, dust, environmental destruction, aging, and ordinary wear. Renaissance Wax provides a barrier against fingerprints and the devastation of water, wine, alcohol and other spills. With its high moisture resistance, it forms a durable, lustrous protective coating. Prevents tarnish, corrosion and "bloom". Remains completely waterproof.
Flitz is an excellent metal polish for carbon steel knives as well as fiberglass. This anti-tarnish formula lasts up to 6 months. It is non-abrasive, non-toxic, non-flammable, acid-free, won't dry out, and leaves behind no residue. Not designed for Damascus steel.
$22.95 Details
This Rust Eraser nicely cleans and buffs away scratches & light surface rust on metal surfaces and more. 320 grit abrasive is suspended in a slightly "springy" rubber matrix, making it perfect for cleaning up slight imperfections on both curved and flat surfaces. The 320 grit Rust Eraser is very quick to remove rust and scratches and provides a clean looking satin finish. To clean up a surface faster, either start at the 46 grit Rust Eraser or the 120 grit Rust Eraser.. Measures approx. 2 3/4 inches x 1 1/2 inches x 1/3 inch.
Made in Japan.
For centuries, camellia oil has been used to protect the finest Samurai swords. A small amount applied to your carbon steel knives will keep them free of corrosion and rust. Camellia oil is non-toxic and non-allergenic.
This spray bottle is a great size for professional chefs who want a bottle to carry in the knife bag.
Serrated teeth effortless remove fish scales while ensuring less mess than traditional fish scaling with a knife. Fish scales are removed by teeth, while leaving flesh intact -- with less effort and less mess. A rubber guard keeps fish scales from scattering. Made from stainless steel by Kai (Shun) for strength and to prevent corrosion. Dishwasher safe.
$14.95 Details
This set has everything you need to properly take care of your knives.
Ceramic rods provide the best touch up possible between sharpening. By removing very little material, the blade is honed to a razor edge. Fine ceramic rods will hone a knife to the most optimal edge. However, if a considerable time has passed since honing or sharpening, a coarse rod is often required. Generally, a ceramic rod should be approximately the length of the longest knife that you will be honing. This set comes with a 12 inch fine ceramic rod.
Over time, ceramic rods build up metal particles that clog the abrasive surface. The Superaser cleans the surface of all ceramic rods so that they will continue to hone just like they did when they were new.
I was really excited when the folks over at ChefSteps (www.ChefSteps.com) told me about their favorite kitchen shears. Their recommendations are always pretty spot on. (If you don't know about ChefSteps, go over and check them out!)
MAC's forged kitchen shears really get the job done. They will make quick work out of hard shellfish shells, poultry bones, fish bones, and miscellaneous packaging. One blade is micro-serrated for holding onto slippery surfaces while the other has a razor-polished edge that slices cleanly through tough shells and bones. The drop-forged stainless steel blades are some of the strongest we could find. They are held together by an adjustable nut with a quick-release joint so that you can maintain tight blade-to-blade contact and yet be easily taken apart for cleaning (very important in a kitchen shear!). Strong enough to cut through a penny, these shears were designed for heavy-duty kitchen tasks. Slightly right-handed handle but we know some lefties who use them too. These sharp and smooth functioning shears feature a blue textured/rubber grip.
Made in Japan.
Fish Bone Tweezers help effortlessly remove bones from fish.
These Fish Bone Tweezers are made by Kai, the maker of Shun Knives. The angled tweezer makes it very efficient. The ergonomic handle allows either a home user or a professional chef to effortlessly work for extended periods. This Japanese-made tool looks as great as it feels!.
Made in Japan.
This magnetic knife strip can be used for just about anything you can imagine. As long as it's magnet friendly, you're good to go. You'll wonder how you got along without it!
Unlike typical magnetic holders that rely on steel rails, this rack won't ding or nick your high quality blade steel. Your knives will stay sharp longer because wood is edge-friendly. Also, unlike traditional countertop knife blocks, bacteria cannot get trapped in deep slots.
Your knives and tools will be safely secured. With the holding power of rare earth magnets, this strip is capable of holding heavier items such as large hand tools. Holding-power is dependent on shape, friction and size of item. For large items, such as heavier hand planes with a relatively small contact area, we recommend two horizontal racks spaced several inches apart.
To store knives horizontally, two racks can be set vertically spaced several inches apart. The construction methods used to make these strips are such that the entire block seems to be a single piece of wood. Only premium solid hardwoods are used. These magnetic knife holders are backed by a lifetime guaranty.
Unlike typical metal rail magnet bars, these are attractive, designed to accentuate and blend with their environment. Natural sycamore wood figure and tone will vary on each knife strip.
Handmade in the USA.
Bradford Knives are handmade in Renton, Washington. His background working in an aerospace machine shop is clearly evident in these high performance, elegant steak knives.
We're very excited about these steak knives. In fact, they are literally some of the best steak knives we've ever seen!.
Super Gold II (SG2) powdered metallurgical (PM) steel is combined with the beauty of damascus cladding. A high performing Takefu SG2 PM stainless steel core is surrounded by thin layers of stainless damascus steel. The resulting cutting edge is tempered to Rc 62 - 63 (very hard!) for exceptional edge holding, but is easy to sharpen due to the small grain structure. The incredibly small crystalline size of this PM steel results in superior edge holding when compared to nearly any other stainless steel used in the knife industry.
The blades are full flat ground for high performance, effortless slicing. They were heat treated by Peters' Heat Treating, for a superior, long lasting edge (Hrc 62-63).
Cocobolo toned Liberty Wood handle scales are set on the full tang using Corby fasteners. Liberty Wood is a natural, engineered wood laminate using sustainably-sourced birch veneer and resin. The water-based resin is infused deep into the wood fibers which acts as a plasticizer and gives the final material its characteristics. Its durability greatly exceeds that of normal hard woods and it is able to obtain a high polish. The handles are nicely contoured with a palm swell.
This four knife set is accompanied by a leather storage pouch, also made in the USA.
Exceptional fit and finish!