Saussure
"Saussure" Master Chef's Knife
- Size: Length overall: 14.125" (35.9 cm), Blade
Length: 10.0" (25.4 cm), Thickness: .158" (4.0 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 1 lb., 5 oz. (595 grams) Sheath:
11.0 oz. (312 grams)
- Blade: 440C High Chromium Martensitic Stainless
Steel, Hardened and Tempered to Rockwell C59
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless
Steel
- Handle: Argentina Agate Gemstone
- Sheath: Leather Shoulder Inlaid
with Ostrich Leg Skin
- Stand: American Black Walnut
Hardwood
- Knife: The Saussure was named for a lunar
crater with a large curve that overlays other craters, with the
eponym of Horace B. de Saussure. This is a beautiful version of my
Saussure master chef's knife, with a 10 inch long blade. The blade
is thinly and accurately hollow ground 440C high chromium martensitic
stainless steel for the highest durability and lowest care, with full milling in a nice curved pattern for
weight reduction and easy release of cut foods. The blade is
brightly and evenly mirror polished for easy cleaning and beauty,
and has an incredibly sharp single bevel cutting edge and is
hardened and tempered to 59HRC for great wear resistance and long
edge life. The Saussure
has a full, detailed and intricate filework along the spine and completely
around the handle, and the tang is fully tapered for balance. The
knife is bolstered with 304 high nickel, high chromium austenitic
stainless steel for zero-care and greatest corrosion resistance. The
contoured bolsters are sculpted and polished, the front bolster is
elongated along the spine for a comfortable topside grip style for
accurate and light chopping. The bolsters bed a pair of striking
Argentina Agate gemstone handle scales, a new material imported from
the southern hemisphere. This agate is very hard and tough, with
beautiful color and pattern and crystal areas with complex and deep
forms in reds, pinks, whites, and burgundy. This lustrous agate
will absolutely outlast the blade, and was very difficult to finish requiring
diamond abrasives. The handle is completely contoured and radiused
for comfort and this substantial knife feels great in the hand.
- Sheath: The large sheath for this
knife is not typical for wearing, but is built to
protect the blade (and the owner of the knife!) in
transit. It is a variation of my chef's knife slip
sheath, and is made of 9-10 oz. leather shoulder, dyed a
medium brown, lacquered and sealed. The entire sheath
body, welts, and loop is hand-stitched with double row
stitches of polyester sinew for durability and strength,
and the sheath has ten nicely shaped inlays of Burgundy
Ostrich Leg Skin that compliment very well the color of the
gemstone handle and shape of the knife.
- Stand: The client requested a
simple yet functional display and working knife stand
for the counter. I made this one in American Black
Walnut, one of our country's most beautiful hardwoods.
The stand is shaped and curved, finely finished in oils
and waxes for a natural appeal. The stand protects the
knife edges and point, yet allows an easy grasp of the
knife handle. The horizontal orientation of the stand
means the ensemble is compact and functional.
- A aesthetically beautiful and unique master chef's knife,
sheath, and stand.
Thanks, J. C.!
'Saussure' has been in my proud, but somewhat startled hands for over a
week now. I really did not expect to own a Jay Fisher knife so soon.
In the brief time that I have owned this knife I have done everything from
chopping pork ribs & butterflying a leg of lamb to Julienning carrots &
chopping coriander (that's cilantro to you, Jay). Seriously, this knife is
excellent. It fits my hand like a well designed tool should and it is always
beautifully cool to pick up out of the stand. The control that I have using
the standard cutting grip is wonderful and when I move my hand forward into
a pinch grip to chop herbs or mince garlic... superb. That extended front
bolster should be patented and made compulsory on all chef's knives.
Oh, and did I mention that it is absolutly beautiful to look at? Gorgeous,
simply stunning. Sometimes I just pick it up to look at it, to feel it in my
hand, even when there's no cooking or food prep involved!
All in all, a piece of functional artistry. No, that's wrong - many
artistries - knifework, lapidary, leatherwork, carpentry. They all come
together in this wonderful, beautiful, wickedly sharp tool.
Thank you, Jay.
--J.C.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos
