"Arcadia" Fine Handmade Collaborative Chef's Knife by Rusty Russom and Jay Fisher

• Size:
  • Knife on Stand: Height: 12.875" (32.7 cm), Width: 9.25" (23.5 cm), Depth: 6.0" (15.2 cm)
  • Knife: Length overall: 12.125" (30.8 cm), Blade Length: 7.875" (20.0 cm), Thickness: .120" (3.0 mm)
• Weight:
  • Knife:  11 oz. (312 grams)
  • Stand: 4 lb., 8 oz. (2.04 kilograms)
• Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C57
• Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
• Handle: Cocobolo Exotic Hardwood
• Stand: American Black Walnut Hardwood, Red Fiber Spacer, Baltic Brown Granite
• Knife: Arcadia is the name of an ancient Greek city, known for a pastoral, simple life. In this very special knife, Rusty Russom and I tried to reflect the straightforward and clear purpose of a fine handmade chef's knife. Arcadia is made with food preparation and culinary use in mind, and comes from the hands and experience of Rusty, who is a professional chef familiar with knife needs in the kitchen. In Arcadia, we have created our first professional grade chef's knife available to the public. For the blade, we decided that the toughest, thinnest application of 440C high chromium martensitic stainless tool steel was the best, chosen for its proven durability and extremely high corrosion resistance, the highest of all stainless tool steels. The blade has an extremely thin and tough hollow grind, see-through thin, for the lowest sharpening angle and absolute razor keen single bevel cutting edge. Since the spine of the knife is less than 1/8" thick, this makes for a lightweight, well-balanced, and fast-moving knife for those quick cutting chores. Though thinly hollow ground, the knife has significant toughness and high wear resistance only available with modern high-chromium, high alloy tool steel blades. We left the spine clear of filework or embellishment for easy cleaning, and satin finished the blade for a low-care surface. The tang of the knife is fully tapered for weight balance, which is exactly at the termination of the cutting edge. In Rusty's design, the cutting edge is dropped well below the forefinger, so the hand comfortably clears the board. He put a lot of thought and consideration into the sweeping curve of the blade for rocking on the board, and located a wide and durable thumb rise for added control and pressure at the front bolster. The bolsters we chose are 304 high chromium, high nickel austenitic stainless steel, and are zero-care, extremely tough, and mirror polished. All surfaces are rounded, contoured, and radiused for a luxurious feel in the hand. The bolsters are mounted with multiple through-tang 304 stainless pins for absolute permanence, and are dovetailed to bed a pair of fine Cocobolo exotic hardwood handle scales. The scales are bedded and pinned with six stainless pins. Cocobolo is a self-sealing, naturally oily and resinous hardwood up to the long-term task of a fine chef's knife, and with little care will last for generations. The knife handle is well protected with a large rear bolster and the slight angle of the handle helps the wrist orientation for daily cutting and meal preparation.
• Stand: A chef's knife this nice needed a very special stand, one that would insist on daily use, be convenient and easy on the eye, with the durability and long-term dependability that only hardwood and rock could provide. Rusty created a stand with American Black Walnut hardwood, the most valuable and endearing American hardwood. The thick walnut is smoothly and evenly sculpted, and finely finished with natural oils and wax polish for a warm luster. For contrast, he inserted a vibrant red fiber spacer at the rise, and carefully curved the walnut to accentuate the anchor for the piece, a block of Baltic Brown Granite. The granite assures the knife is extremely stable and solid in its base, and the point slot and handle cradle hold the knife at just the right position, at the ready. The granite has tough, neoprene inset feet to protect any countertop or surface, and prevent movement.
• This is a knife that will compliment any kitchen, a durable, long lasting work of culinary necessity. This is a first of many fine chef's knives that Rusty and I are building in collaboration. This is an exciting new endeavor, and you can learn more about Rusty on his page on my site here.

Thanks, B.M.!