Cygnus Custom Knife
"Cygnus" Fine Handmade Custom Chef's Knife
- Size: Length overall: 10.25" (26.0 cm), Blade Length: 5.5" (14.0 cm), Thickness: .142" (3.6 mm)
- Weight: Knife: 7.8 oz. (221 grams) Sheath: 6.3 oz. (179 grams)
- Blade: 440C high chromium martensitic stainless
steel blade, T3 deep cryogenically treated with triple tempering to
59 HRC
- Bolsters, Fittings: 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Mirror polished
- Handle: Cuprite Mosaic Gemstone (Arizona)
- Sheath: Hand-stamped, highlighted leather shoulder
- Knife: This custom knife was made for a great
client, to his specifications. Cygnus is named for a the Northern
Star constellation, and also means The Swan, befitting this
graceful, elegant knife. The design is straightforward, a
medium-sized chef's knife, with a good blade length and useful heel
to allow work on the board and protection of the hand from the
cutting edge. The drop shape of the handle clears the palm
comfortably, and the knife has a deep 10" radius hollow grind for
longevity and a thin single bevel cutting edge. How thin is it? Just
behind the cutting edge, the thickness of the blade is about .020",
or the thickness of about five sheets of notebook paper. This can be
accomplished because of the steel type and treatment.
- The steel I chose for this knife is
Food Contact Safe 440C high chromium martensitic stainless
steel, my most requested steel for a reason. When properly
treated, it's a dependable, reliable workhorse of extremely
high corrosion resistance, good toughness and high wear
resistance. The high chromium of 440C along with the high
carbon and moderate molybdenum results in profuse chromium
carbides, increasing corrosion resistance as well as wear
resistance. To bring this steel to its zenith, I used my
proprietary T3 deep cryogenic process in heat treating this
blade; it's a highly detailed, extremely sophisticated
process that takes 33 individual steps and takes over a week
long. The result of this is an incredibly wear-resistant
blade that has extremely high carbide development, fine
grain, and extremely high corrosion resistance. Asperity is
reduced; the microstructure development is superior to any
other typical handmade knife, and far above any factory or
manufactured knife. This is, simply put, 440C at its very
finest advanced condition.
- I bolstered the knife with zero-care
304 high chromium, high nickel stainless steel bolsters,
which are contoured, rounded and finished for a comfortable
feel. The bolsters are secured with zero-clearance peened
pins and dovetailed to bed the handle scales. The front
bolsters are sealed and rounded at the faces, the rear
bolsters are wide and flat, for a good feel and
counterbalance in the palm.
- The handle scales of this knife were
chosen by my client, and they are called Cuprite Mosaic.
This is a bit of a confusing name, since there is so much
more to the gemstone. It is a mosaic of different materials,
with greenish bronchantite, chrysocolla, rich cobalt-blue
azurite, white quartz and limestone, and copper oxide
tenorite. These minerals play to give a unique look that my
client wanted, with small rivulets of blue-green, blue, and
turquoise throughout with sunset-reddish fields in a white
background.
- The knife feels light and tough in the
hand, ready for work in the kitchen. It's just the right
size for most tasks, a true crossover classic design that is
a useful as it is beautiful. This knife is
Food Contact
Safe.
- Sheath: My client requested a simple sheath, so
I hand stamp-tooled a tri-weave pattern, with coffee brown
highlights, and a water-based sealant for longevity. It's a deep
sheath with a high, protective back, and it's fully stitched with
chestnut colored nylon. It's made of thick 9-10 oz. leather shoulder
for durability.
- An elegant, tasteful, graceful chef's knife with striking
gemstone handle and a comfortable feel.
Thanks, J. H.!
Jay,
Wow. Perfect. Thank you. I'm sure my sister will love it - I sure do.
And later:
Jay,
Just letting you know it got here alright. Took a quick look - beautiful.
--J. H.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos