The upward reaching smokiness reminds me of the Blue Ridge Mountains that look like they’re on fire with the changing leaves, reaching toward the sun. Stainless steel over carbon steel: this material caught my eye over a decade ago and after learning to fuse and forge these two dissimilar materials under the tutelage of Bill Burke, I’ve fallen in love with the process as well. This k-tip chef is forged with high carbon steel sandwiched between two pieces of stainless steel. The versatile blade features a unique blend of flat & convex grinds. Full tang bolster imparts a stout feel while the majority hidden tang adds to the comfort and ease of maintenance while also shedding weight. Features sycamore that I was processing in June 2024 when I clipped my hand on the bandsaw and beautiful spalted maple from Asheville with a bocote spacer.

• size: 7 1/2” blade / 12 5/8” overall / 2” @ heel

• weight: 168 grams

• blade: 410 stainless steel, pure nickel and 80crv2 carbon steel

• handle: stabilized spalted Maple (Asheville, NC), bocote, stabilized golden sycamore (gift from C. Buchanan) Jonesborough, TN