NORA #1278 - CPM-M4 - Wave Blue Resin
$ 390.00
KNIFE HIGHLIGHTS
- Blade Type: Chef
- Blade Length: 8.5 Inches
- Total Length: 13.65 Inches
- Handle Style: Western | Right or Left Hand Use
- Steel: CPM M4 Carbon Steel
- Handle Materials: Urethane Based Resin, Fabric Mesh Cast in the Resin, White G10 liner, White G11 pins
- Rockwell Hardness: 66 HRC
- Grind Type: Full Flat Hybrid
- Weight: 7.2 oz.
- 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 (hefty, durable)
- Light (nimble, maneuverable)
- >>>Not too heavy, not too light (Switzerland, handle is slimmer & resin is fairly light.)
GENERAL USES OF THIS KNIFE
CHEF KNIFE
Our take on the classic Chef knife. This is an extremely versatile knife that is a jack-of-all-trades worker and one of the single most important knives in a kitchen. Our Chef knife design can easily accommodate both a pinch grip and a full hold. It is a good choice for those with larger hands or those who prefer a full hold on the handle. Our design is also excellent for those who like a rocking motion while cutting.
STEEL INFORMATION:
CPM- M4 CARBON STEEL
The blade on this knife is composed of a high carbon CPM M4 steel. M4 is the best carbon steel we have ever used in regards to blade performance. After doing a wide amount of research on this steel, we decided to give it a go and have been extremely impressed with its performance thus far.
CPM M4 steel is unique in that it gets extremely hard. Hardness in steel generally equates to a finer edge and great edge retention. We took this blade to a solid 66 HRC which is incredibly hard compared to most production knives which fall in the mid to high 50's.
The high hardness allows amazing edge retention but, unlike other steels at this hardness, its not as brittle or delicate. It is actually highly wear resistant which means you don't need to worry as much about the knife chipping or breaking. As an added bonus, M4 is surprisingly corrosion resistant when compared to other carbon steels.
Its a rugged knife for the performance it offers and this combination is rare when you harden steel to beyond 62 HRC. Please note though that the steel isn't bullet-proof...if you drop the knife on a very hard surface or slam it down on a hard object, it is likely to chip.
The pros of this steel outweigh the cons but it must be mentioned that this steel is harder to sharpen than many others so you will need to factor that into your decision as it does represent a bit more maintenance than other knives. On the flip side, you don't need to sharpen this knife nearly as frequently as others.
**As this is a carbon steel, the blade will form a slight patina over time. This is normal and is actually the mark of a beautifully used knife. Please note, however, that a carbon knife does require more maintenance than its stainless steel counterpart, mainly that it must be washed or wiped clean shortly after each use to prevent unwanted rust or stains. We have acid etched this knife to protect the steel and start the patina process. The dark etch will initially cause the knife to be slightly more "sticky" than expected. This will reduce over time as the blade is broken in and glide will improve. Likewise, over time this etch will fade slightly and will be replaced by the individual patina you make while using the knife.
HANDLE DESIGN & MATERIALS:
Every one of our knives is handmade, unique and numbered. This NORA is a fun mix of transparent blue resin (urethane based) cast with a white, fabric mesh that gives sort of a wave effect to the handle. Or not...Steve thinks it looks like a sneaker but we will let you decide.
The handle is complemented by White G11 pins and a White G10 liner. Although light, the resin proves to be very low maintenance while looking great and its also a very stout material so its a great, all-around choice when you are in a high moisture environment. One thing to be aware of, however, is that it is slippery when wet so if you are in a VERY high moisture environment then this may not be the right fit. For a normal kitchen, this knife will be an excellent workhorse.