Description
Inspired by a wide fruit knife he discovered years ago by renowned culinary knife maker Murray Carter, artist Don Carlos Andrade created this one-of-a-kind French Petty Chef as a tribute to what he sees as a remarkably versatile and handy form. Forged by hand from 26c3 “Spicy White” high-carbon steel, the 165mm / 6.5” blade occupies a thoughtful space between a traditional French-style petty chef knife, a butcher’s honesuki, and a petite slicer.
When Don—formally trained as a chef, sculptor, and bladesmith with over three decades of experience—combines the strengths of multiple styles into a single tool, the result is one destined to perform. Able to rock beautifully on the board, the upswept edge profile, razor-sharp beneath Don’s pronounced convex bevel geometry, moves easily from chopping to slicing and carving with agility and finesse. Slimming toward a pointed tip along the spine’s rounded, tapering length, the blade excels at detailed cuts as well as the kind of utility work often associated with a butcher’s knife, all without compromise.
Etched and polished to a relatively high shine, a handsome clay-induced hamon line undulates from choil to spine. Comfort and control come through Don’s distinctive, hand-filling shield-style wa handle, combining nine flat facets with a gently curved underside in a form that tapers steadily from back to front. Sculpted from a striking piece of dyed and stabilized redwood, the handle is completed by a single bronze pin and a bolster of translucent green G7 laminate—finishing this singular chef knife with quiet confidence.
