Description
Sometimes the feel of a knife in the hand, from the balance, to the weight, to the tactile feedback of the materials beneath the fingertips, gives the instant impression that the tool means business. This honyaki honesuki chef’s knife by Australia’s Dmitriy Popov is one of those objects. In stunning, pre-owned, like-new condition, this one-of-a-kind build is designed for the working kitchen and destined for greatness. Highly polished W2 carbon steel shimmers along medium-height convex bevels that taper to a hard, thin, razor-sharp edge, accentuated by a beautifully defined hamon line brought out through Dmitriy’s thoughtful hand-sanding, polishing, and etching. Above, the blade’s flats and tang retain the hammer marks and texture of its hand-forged origins. Long, tough, and robust, the honesuki profile is shaped for strength and rigidity throughout its length, the wide, rounded spine and substantial weight in the hand balanced perfectly by a finely honed edge and pointed tip. Intended for the parting and carving of proteins, this 230mm-long, 58mm-tall blade excels at tasks both precise and demanding. Balancing just in front of the rounded choil, near Dmitriy’s maker’s mark, the knife moves naturally and steadily in the hand. Comfort and control are ensured through a classic octagonal wa handle carved from ancient Ukrainian bog oak, capped with a bolster of osage orange. A knife that feels alive in the hand, it speaks to the maker’s artistry, where strength, beauty, and soul converge in perfect balance.
