Concordia
"Concordia" Fine Custom Chef's Knife
- Size (Knife): Length overall: 13.5" (34.3 cm), Blade Length (at cutting edge): 8.5" (21.6 cm), Thickness: .132" (3.4 mm)
- Size (Stand with knife): 10.5" (26.7 cm) tall, 9.5" (24.1 cm) wide, 12.0" (30.5 cm) long
- Weight: Knife: 14 oz. (397 grams) Stand: 6 lbs.(2.7 kilograms)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Tool Steel, Cryogenically Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C60, mirror polished
- Fittings/Bolsters: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, mirror polished
- Handle: Polished Nebula Stone Gemstone
- Stand: American Black Walnut, Poplar, Baltic Brown Granite, Neoprene Feet
- Knife: The Concordia is named for the Roman
goddess of harmony, and this Concordia was custom made for a very
special client. It's a large chef's knife, classically designed and
made for the most demanding use while being original, unique, and
beautiful. I made the blade in 440C high chromium stainless steel,
with a deep and full hollow grind for an incredibly thin cutting
edge and plenty of flat spine to support it, while being lightweight
enough to use comfortably. The point has a bit
thicker geometry than the belly and heel, for good durability and
piercing. I've cryogenically treated the blade, with a long
cryogenic soak for the greatest conversion to martensite, and
profuse carbides for extremely high wear resistance. The blade was
double tempered with sub-zero soaking in between for great thermal
conditioning and excellent toughness. This is the best condition
this steel can possibly experience in its treatment. I've fileworked the blade
completely, with a clean vine pattern, and the tang is fully tapered
for balance. The knife is bolstered with zero-care 304 high nickel,
high chromium austenitic stainless steel, and the bolsters are
dovetailed to bed a pair of Nebula Stone gemstone handle scales.
Nebula stone is an extremely rare gemstone, which comes
from one source in the world and is a combination of the minerals Acmite, Riebeckite,
Anorthoclase, Zircon, and Quartz. This is
the third knife I've made with this special gem, and therefore the third knife
in the world with a Nebula Stone handle. This gem is hard, heavy,
and has a smooth lustrous polish, with bright green nebula-like orbs
floating in black space filled with stars, and rings of green
ribbons shaped like the shock wave of stars being born. All surfaces
of the handle are radiused, contoured, polished, and smoothed for a
comfortable grip, and the knife has a neutral balance with the
fulcrum point at the front bolster face.
- A knife this bold had to have a commensurate stand, and I wanted
one that followed the design motif throughout. I created the stand
in American Black Walnut and American Poplar hardwoods, with
curved sculptural hardwood form that holds the knife with the handle in an
accessible and ready position on the counter, proudly displaying the
gemstone. I coated the hardwoods with a light lacquer for a
nice finish with easy cleaning and rich tone. The stand sockets the point and edge, with a good opening
to display the mirror-polished beauty of the cryogenically treated
stainless steel. I added four polished cabochon accents of Nebula
Stone inlayed in the stand, and mounted the hardwood to a base of
Baltic Brown granite with stainless steel screws. I chose the Baltic
Brown granite because it has round orbs throughout, and hints of
green that fuse the entire design of the piece together. I chamfered
the corners of the base for visual accents, and inlayed neoprene
feet in the bottom so the piece rests stable without scratching any
surface. The artist's signature plate is mounted on the bottom.
Baltic Brown granite is extremely tough and very hard, and the mass
of the base keeps the knife solid and firm, and the work will be
stunning on my client's counter or furnishings.
- A classy, elegant, unique, and useful work of custom art for the chef
and his domain. I enjoyed making this beautiful ensemble, and
know that my client will enjoy many decades of its presence and use
in his family.
Thanks, E. B. !
Hi, Jay!
My apologies, things have been crazy over the holidays here. Between waking up to my son, my girl, and the
knife on Christmas Eve, I had more reasons than any man needs to keep a smile glued on my face for my birthday.
That's pretty sweet timing for a 5 year commission :).
I'll write a better review when I'm back at a computer, but I friggin' love the knife. In fact, we're weighing
out placing another commission, provided you don't mind having 3 of your beauties end up in the same collection!
I hope you and your family had a blessed holidays, as well.
Cheers, E.
