NORA #1201 - CPM-M4 Chef - Rosewood|Teal Blue Box Elder
$ 430.00
KNIFE HIGHLIGHTS
- Blade Type: Chef
- Blade Length: 8.5 Inches
- Total Length: 13 Inches
- Handle Style: Western | Right or Left Hand Use
- Steel: CPM M4 Carbon Steel
- Handle Materials: Stabilized Rosewood, Stabilized Teal Dyed Box Elder Wood, Gray, Orange & Forest Green G10, Copper Accents & Copper Pins, Etched with a Stonewashed Finish
- Rockwell Hardness: 66 HRC
- Grind Type: Full Flat Hybrid
- Weight: 8.1 oz
- This Blade is Ground...
- Thinner for Performance (best performance but somewhat delicate)
- Thick for Durability (tough, built to last for heavy wear-n-tear)
- >>> Mid-Range with Special Geometry (kept ever so 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
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
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 and given it a stonewashed finish 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 in finish 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.
HANDLE DESIGN & MATERIALS:
Every one of our knives is handmade, unique and numbered. NORA #1201 has an eclectic mix of materials that make make a statement but the muted colors keep the whole thing somewhat subdued and very elegant in our opinion. The base of the handle is a stabilized rosewood that has a nice polish to it and features very muted hues of brownish red. We accented this with a striped of teal dyed box elder (stabilized) and it is flanked by very thin stripes of G10 in orange and forest green and then finally 2 small stripes of copper with black G10. The pattern would seem busy if not for the fact that everything is on a very small scale. We really actually love this knife. Its a unique design. The knife is finished with copper pins and we lined the handle with gray and orange G10 to provide further accent to the striped area.
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 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.