Single Shadow Funayuki 181mm

For French bladesmith Milan Gravier, the unique cutting experience of a given blade is paramount. Not so much in the technical sense, but the visceral.The funayuki profile, originally developed as an all-purpose knife for use on Japanese fishing vessels, can be called Milan’s ‘first love’ as he began creating culinary knives full time. It is also the style through which he first discovered the possibilities of single bevel blade geometry, and so this particular build holds a special place in Milan’s journey as a maker. Forged by hand from a house-made formula consisting of lazy twist pattern damascus over a hard, sharp core of 135Cr3 high-carbon steel, the 181mm / 7.1″ blade is robust, weighted, and powerful in the hand. The heavily hammered material’s flats are given a dark, kurouchi finish, presenting to the viewer the nuances of the materials’ structure as well as the object’s hand-forged origins. As with all of Milan’s creations, final bevel geometry is shaped entirely on natural Japanese stones, creating a near-mysterious contrast as well as visual clues to the inner workings of each ingredient. From the kireha (font side) to the blade’s ura (back side) where the uraoshi receives a bright, polished finish while the concave urasuki is darkened, every element is meticulously detailed. For comfort and control in a traditional style that is both beautiful and versatile, a handle is shaped from a wood iconic in Milan’s region: boxwood. Slow growing and aesthetically stunning, the material is durable and feels wonderful in the hand, this particular piece enjoying a selectively charred finish. Capping the build is a sculpted ferule of darkened stainless steel.