Chef's Knife Set: "Vega and French Chef's" Collaborative Knives by Rusty Russom and Jay Fisher

• Size:
  • Knives on Block: Height: 6.0" (15.24 cm), Width: 3.5" (8.89 cm), Depth: 14.25" (36.2 cm)
  • Knives: Vega: Length overall: 13.25" (33.6 cm), Blade Length: 8.625" (21.9 cm), Thickness: .196" (4.9 mm), French Chef's: Length overall: 11.5" (29.2 cm), Blade Length: 7.75" (19.6 cm), Thickness: .122" (3.1 mm)
• Weight:
  • Knives:  Vega: 1.1 lb. (482 grams), French Chef's: 8 oz. (227 grams)
  • Block: 3 lb., 10 oz. (1.64 kilograms)
• Blades: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless Steel, Hardened and Tempered, Vega: 59HRC, French Chef: 57HRC
• Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
• Handle: Lacewood (Australian Silky Oak)
• Block:  American Black Walnut, Paduk (Africa)
• Knife: Our client wanted a very special set, and this pair of fine chef's knives was just the ticket. We made them in satin finished 440C high chromium martensitic stainless tool steel, chosen for the highest corrosion resistance and extreme wear resistance found only on 440C. The Vega is a strong and bold master chef's knife, with a substantial spine and flat, deeply hollow ground to a very thin cutting edge. This is a tool that can handle any produce, meats, and poultry, as well as the toughest cutting chores in the kitchen. The blade has enough weight to make the balance point an inch in front of the front bolster, so the knife feels massive and sturdy in the hand. The blade has a great curve that will allow for fine mincing and just the right rocking motion on the board. The French Chef is a lighter, thinner knife, excellent for delicate julienne cuts, deboning meats and fine dicing and mincing. Both knives are deeply hollow ground for the thinnest edge and greatest longevity, and the satin finish is low-care in this high chromium tool steel. The Vega is tempered to a harder 59 Rockwell, and the French Chef has a little more toughness at 57 Rockwell. Both of the knives are fitted with zero-care 304 austenitic high nickel, high chromium stainless steel bolsters, which are contoured and polished to smoothness, and dovetailed to bed pairs of Australian Silky Oak, also known as Lacewood exotic wood handle scales. The Lacewood has beautiful and unique figure among all woods, and the scales are pinned with 304 stainless steel pins as well as bedded to the fully tapered tangs. The handles are polished and feel at home in the hand, the spines and tangs are smooth and polished for a simple rinse cleaning.
• Block: This set needed a striking, fine block, and we came up with quite a piece. The block is constructed of fine American Black Walnut, a tough, long-lasting wood with deep, rich character. The blade spacers and the cross piece accents are in Paduk, which gives beautiful contrast against the walnut with the dark pumpkin color. The canted angles and straight lines bring the block together in an artistic display that will bring elegance to any kitchen. The knives are spaced so there is no difficulty in removing or replacing them at any time. The Danish oil and hand-rubbed wax finish emboldens the deep colors of both woods, giving a soft, mellow patina.
• This was an exciting project, and we are proud to have this exquisite custom culinary pair on the website and in our client's kitchen and family for generations to come.

Thanks, N. A.