Ginkgo Tree Gyuto 235mm

Master Bladesmith and designer David Lisch of Washington State pays homage to the living fossil that is the Ginkgo tree, one which nature has left unchanged for over 200 million years. Inspiring awe for millennia due to its beauty and longevity, the qualities of the ginkgo biloba tree, also known as the maidenhair tree, are enshrined in steel by David in this sculptural kitchen masterpiece for millennia more, presenting to its owner a culinary experience like no other. Continuing his recent exploration of the ‘Ball Handle’ knife style in which a meticulously crafted handle designed for use in the pinch grip counteracts the heft of the full-size damascus steel blade, David is able to produce an extraordinary, nimble, and balanced feel in the hand. Make no mistake, the one-piece, solid-steel construction in nothing less than David’s striking mosaic carbon damascus is built to use daily in the kitchen for everything from repetitive chopping tasks to delicate slices. Tall, slightly convex bevels slim to a hard, razor-sharp edge that provides both strength and precision, positioning this tool as a workhorse for any kitchen. While a subtle amount of lateral flexibility is present thanks to David’s superb heat treatment and hardening process, the blade’s overall feeling is one of toughness and reliability, with its strong, mid-high tip and deep belly. It is, however, when the knife is not in use that David’s one-of-a-kind piece of art is enjoyed to its fullest. Cradled gracefully by one of four ginkgo leaves in the incredible display stand made just for this knife, the handle’s ball rests gently between the leaf’s opposing lobes allowing the blade’s tip to remain suspended as if an organic offshoot of this storied, metallic tree. The tree stand itself is forged, like the knife, by David’s hands from solid iron, crafting each leaf one-by-one before hot-brushing them each with bronze, bringing the object to life in a way that cannot be ignored.