Anchorage River Chef 270mm

Multi-disciplinary artist and blacksmith Gabe Fletcher of Anchorage Forge has delivered, for his first offering in our collection, a remarkable, one-of-a-kind chef knife. A student of damascus design theory among other areas of particular focus within the world of craft, Gabe has forged by hand this knife’s blade at his Anchorage, Alaska studio from his own stunning housemade carbon damascus steel pattern. Wisps of the nickel-rich 15n20 alloy layered densely with 1080 carbon tool steel combine to create strands, individually full of nearly imperceivable detail, and together creating a flow of energy and a feeling of organic movement and visual momentum from handle bolster to blade tip. Tight and orderly within the faceted bolster, each face of which offers a unique window into the inner workings of the pattern, the damascus then begins to splay, dropping toward the edge, meandering along the spine, and dissipating with each distance traveled. Each point throughout the pattern’s journey is purposeful, Gabe having forged, drawn, and stretched the material just so in order to accentuate the metallic artistry. None of this is, of course, to overlook the technical elements and carefully calibrated geometry of a blade built to use. Light, quick, and nimble in the hand, this knife weighs just 6.1oz / 172g in spite its 15+ inch overall length and edge that stretches on for over 10 inches. The blade’s tapering spine, outstanding, compound ‘S-grind’ geometry, and especially thin, razor-sharp edge all contribute to the object’s ability to keep mass to a minimum. The concave portion of the S-grind begins at the spine and continues downward until approximately half an inch above the edge where the convex section begins. This compound geometry fades out masterfully about two inches from a slim, pointed tip. The thin overall build results in a welcomed bit of lateral flexibility throughout the blade’s length, akin to many vintage French chef’s knife. Completing the handsome build with its multitude of geometric design elements is a comfortable, thoughtfully faceted handle which Gabe has sculpted from gorgeous koa wood and fitted with a black micarta spacer. A flush, stainless steel retention bold cap is visible at the handle’s rear. Balanced a hair in front of the blade’s 58mm tall heel, this daily-use kitchen cutting tool is the very definition of form and function in action.