So when your friend at another restaurant sees your work and wants to support you … that’s a great friend.

So that is exactly what happened. After I finished the first Kiritsuke with the Wa Handle I was showing friends at another restaurant and one of them asked me if I could make a knife for their significant other for their birthday. I said “Absofruitly” and we started talking. They tried to get the most information they could out of their significant other but couldn’t get much.

After some back and forth we settled on a nice Ironwood for the handle material and I got started. I took the knife apart and really worked on everything. This was the first knife that I was able to use my new 2x72 Grinder and what a joy it has been to work with that tool. The ironwood was very tough on my scroll saw but several blades later and a trip to the sander I got a solid rough shape created.

Then it was some progressively higher belts and sanding by hand to get the final shape and edge on the blade. I added some scallops to the handle to make it comfortable and give it a sturdy grip. I sharpened the edge by hand on the new grinder and it got scary sharp.

Then I wanted to give it one last touch and I made a box for the knife. Etched the logo into the top and cut out some foam to line the box and secure the knife. I’m very happy with everything, and I think I now know how to use my laser to cut out the foam next time. We shall see. I’m very pleased and I know my client and their significant other are going to love it.