NORA #1123 - M4 Hybrid Chef/Santoku - Woven Wood
$ 405.00
KNIFE HIGHLIGHTS
- Blade Type: Hybrid Between a Chef and Santoku
- Blade Length: 7.25 Inches
- Total Length: 12.4 Inches
- Handle Style: Western | Right or Left Hand Use
- Steel: CPM M4 Carbon Steel
- Handle Materials: Patterned Box Elder Burl (stabilized & dyed), tan G10 liner, natural micarta pins
- Rockwell Hardness: 66 HRC
- Grind Type: Full Flat Hybrid
- Weight: 8.0 oz
- This Blade is Ground...
- >>>Thin for Performance (best performance but somewhat 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)
GENERAL USES OF THIS KNIFE
Chef Knife/Santoku Hybrid
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. The shape on this knife is a hybrid between a chef and a Santoku but the rocking we placed in the belly definitely leans this one more towards a classic chef shape.
STEEL INFORMATION:
CPM - M4
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 but remains durable. As an added bonus, M4 is more corrosion resistant than many other carbon steels.
We took this blade to a solid 66 HRC. The hardness allows it to maintain 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. Note that we provide free sharpening on all of our knives and we are always happy to help in this respect.
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. Over time this etch will fade slightly and will be replaced by the individual patina you make while using the knife. Please note that the etch process does not always leave the knife completely uniform and, as such, you may notice minor differences in tone of the etch color and also some residual marks which can almost look like a stain on the knife. These are not stains, they are part of the etch itself. (Reference the last pic so you can understand what we mean by this)
HANDLE DESIGN & MATERIALS:
This knife has been handled with a mix of different dyed box elder burl wood that has been stabilized for durability. This particular piece was made by a wood working artist we found on Instagram named Rob Harrison. He glues wood together such that it almost appears woven together. We have been admiring his work for a while and finally decided to grab some of his material to work with. We love the look of these gentle waves in the wood.
This block has some nice subdued colors to it. The wood has hues of dark blue, forest green and an almost purple toned brick brown. We added a tan liner for extra durability and natural micarta pins keep with the neutral color scheme.
Wood stabilization is an added feature that we offer with our knives. Wood that is stabilized has been injected with a clear acrylic resin under a vacuum process. Stabilization helps to minimize, if not eliminate, any cracking, warping, shrinkage and/or expanding of the material. Stabilized wood will not absorb water and is generally impervious to oils. The process helps to ensure your knife has a long lifespan in the kitchen.