NORA # 1344 - 10' AEB-L Kiritsuke - Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)

KNIFE HIGHLIGHTS

• Blade Type: Kiritsuke
• Blade Length: 10 Inches
• Total Length: 15 Inches
• Handle Style: Western | Right or Left Hand Use
• Steel: AEB-L Stainless Steel
• Handle Materials: White G10, Red Acrylic-Based Resin, Arizona Ironwood, Brass Pins  
• Rockwell Hardness: 62 HRC
• Grind Type: Full Flat Hybrid - Performance Grind (3 different bevels blended)

• This Blade is Ground...
• Thin for Performance (best performance but delicate)
• Thick for Durability (tough, built to last for heavy wear-n-tear)
• >>> Mid-Range with Special Geometry (specially ground for food release and glide but blade is kept slightly thicker for durability)

• This Knife Feels...
• >>> Heavy in Hand (G10 and Ironwood are both inherently dense, heavy materials but it balances out this large blade nicely.  NOT recommended if you prefer lighter blades.)
• Light (nimble, maneuverable)
• Not too heavy, not too light (Switzerland)

GENERAL USES OF THIS KNIFE:

KIRITSUKE KNIFE

This blade shape is our take on the traditional Japanese Kiritsuke knife.  

A Kiritsuke knife is one of the very few Japanese knives that is considered multi-purpose. It is a hybrid between a Yanagi (fish slicer) and a Usuba (vegetable knife.). A Kiritsuke knife works well for slicing and breaking down protein but it also excels at vegetable prep. and general purpose tasks. In Japanese kitchens, the Kiritsuke knife is reserved only for the executive Chef as a sign of respect and also due to the skill needed to efficiently use these knives.

Our Kiritsuke design does not have as flat of a belly as the more traditional Japanese style knives. We have done this to allow just the slightest amount of rock in the cut. We feel it adds a bit more versatility to the knife.

HANDLE DESIGN & MATERIALS:

Every one of our knives is handmade, unique and numbered.  This NORA was specifically made with the Catholic faith in mind, as part of a series of knives we made which each have a tie-in with various religions.  This is a one-of-a-kind knife and will never be reproduced.

There was a lot of thought put into this knife before it was made. Agnus Dei, which refers to "Lamb of God" is a concept most widely recognized by both the Christian and Catholic faiths. In the Catholic faith it is a prayer to Christ, which is part of the Roman Catholic liturgy.

The Lamb of God is referenced multiple times in the bible but perhaps the most well known verse appears in John 1:29 where John the Baptist sees Jesus and declares:

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

We chose to reference this theme by using the visual symbolization of the Lamb of God that was adopted as far back as the Middle Ages.  Typically there is a haloed lamb with a foreleg bent back such that it holds a pennant flag that has a long red cross set against a white background.  You can see several pictures below for reference.

In regards to the handle, we incorporated this theme by creating an actual cross in the upper handle made from white G10 and a glossy, red, acrylic-based resin. This portion of the handle mimics the flag of the Lamb.  As a solid and durable base to the knife we used Arizona ironwood and lined the whole thing with white G10 to provide overall durability and visual cohesion. Pins are brass.

The engraving follows theme and shows the partial body of a haloed lamb which represents the Lamb of God.  A further reference to the Lamb of God can be found in the small engraving near the NORA logo which references the knife's unique number (#1344) within a flag similar to those referenced in many Lamb of God pictures.

On the spine you can find the words "John 1:29" which is referenced above and meant as a reminder of Jesus' sacrifice to take away the sin of mankind.

We really love how this knife came all together with the various elements involved.  It is, visually, one of our favorites from this batch.

In regards to the handle material you may wonder, what is G10? G10 is an incredibly strong & durable fiberglass laminate that was originally used in the electronics industry.  It has been adapted in the knife making world and has proven to be an excellent material for handles as it has high strength, low moisture absorption and can be found in a variety of colors.  Its one of our favorite materials to work with outside of wood.

STEEL INFORMATION:

AEB-L STAINLESS STEEL

This knife blade is composed of AEB-L stainless steel which is a high-quality Swedish metal, originally developed for razor blades.  Recently, steel suppliers have made this steel available in thicker sheets and it has proven to be an excellent adaptation for the cutlery industry.

AEB-L has a beautiful balance of carbon and chromium and, with proper heat treatment, this steel produces both a very fine edge as well as excellent toughness and edge stability.  The fine grain structure also makes this steel very easy to sharpen. We believe it is one of the finest stainless steels available on the market today for use with kitchen knives.

As a side note, there are two things we like to mention about this steel:

1.) This steel responds beautifully to honing and if the knife is honed regularly it should need infrequent sharpening.

2.) AEB-L is a stainless steel but just barely.  The concept of stainless steel is very misleading because every steel is, at some level, reactive to water and other elements. 

The higher carbon content in this stainless is what allows it to get a fine edge and higher hardness compared to many other stainless steels but it also has a tendency to sometimes form very fine rust spots on the blade.  If this happens, these are easily removed with a green or red scotch brite pad and usually the rough end of a kitchen sponge will also do the trick. Take extra care to remove any excess wetness that remain on this blade.  Drip drying is NOT recommended. 

CUSTOM ENGRAVING

**This knife has been custom engraved.  The engraving was done via a dual diode laser so there is depth to the engraving more so than you usually see with an electro etch or CO2 laser. We do, however, keep the depth minimal so it does not catch food and minimally interferes with the primary cutting function of the knife. A small amount of stickage is normal around the engraved area, especially initially. This will lessen over time as the blade is used.  Please note though, if performance is your #1 priority then we encourage you to NOT purchase this blade.  A blade with no engraving WILL have a smoother glide than a blade with engraving.  For most, however, this difference is so minimal that it is barely noticed.  We just like to provide a full disclosure up front so you know exactly what you are purchasing.

The engraving should last as long as the knife but please note that it will slightly degrade over time as abrasives are used on the knife. We recommend the soft end of a sponge with soap and water for cleaning and mineral oil periodically to condition the blade (and handle). Keep in mind that stronger abrasives, such as steel wool, scotch brite pads, sand paper or stone sharpening directly on the engraved image will further degrade the image.