Damascus Sujihiki Slicer

14" Damascus Sujihiki Slicer
 Steel: Random pattern Damascus made from 1095 and 15N20 steel
 Geometry: Flat grind with distal taper and tapered tang
 Hardness: 63 HRC
 Handle: Indian Rosewood, sandblasted finish, and raw cast copper bolster
 Copper pins
 Includes carrying case

This blade came together somewhat by accident. I was forging a block of Damascus and had a large leftover piece. As I stretched it out on the press, it began to take shape on its own. I went with the flow, following how the steel was deforming. Sometimes, when you’re making a batch of knives in the forge with specific goals for each one, it’s nice to have a project with a bit more freedom.

After sanding it, I really liked the profile: a long, thin, streamlined blade, and a handle that’s a bit smaller than usual, but longer. Then I melted down several scraps of copper I had saved to avoid wasting them and poured them into a mold. I loved the texture of the surface once it cooled: textured, rough, colorful. I wanted to preserve that raw look instead of polishing it completely.
That also guided my choice of wood. For me, the best material combo is Indian Rosewood (a rosewood full of character, texture, and a unique scent) and copper. To bring the two together, I went with a sandblasted finish on the handle. Air sandblasting erodes the softer pores of the wood more than the rest, which brings out its natural texture.
The finish is rustic, full of character, and every element reflects the long artisanal process behind its creation, an imprint of how it came to be.