New Utility from Joe Foster, superb!

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Joe Foster, new-ish maker from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canadia.....posted a knife up here a few months ago that captured my interest, and I contacted him to ask if I could have one too.

He politely agreed to make me a knife.

We went around with a few particulars and he sent me this true masterpiece which arrived today.

It is a true utility knife or in the parlance of the Japanese, a "petty" knife.

120 layer ladder pattern damascus of 1080 and 15n20 at 61 Hrc, 5 5/8" long blade, 1 1/4" at the widest point, 3/32" to significant distal taper.

Ovoid (no broomstick handles here) Desert Ironwood burl for the bulk of the handle, with Oregon Maple Burl up front, with 416 ss and black micarta spacers....based upon very extensive kitchen experience, Desert Ironwood may be "the" best wood for a well used kitchen knife. It doesn't get slick, it doesn't soak up water, and it looks great, even when it gets darker.

Nice balance just behind the "bolster", everything sweetly rounded and smoothed for long use at the cutting board. Is well suited to the professional, home or camp kitchen.

Will let the photos say the rest, save for Joe represents one of the best value priced knives available in the custom knife sector at this time, and I highly recommend him.
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All comments most welcome!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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I think it looks great. Good user especially for light kitchen jobs. Fruit, Veggies etc.

Certainly beats what I have been using in the kitchen.


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it would make a nice dress "steak" knife also STeven so hope it came with a sheath. Nice to see good things coming from a fellow Canuck.
 
Beautiful knife. I really like the materials, the profile, the blade and damascus. A great size and it looks wicked sharp also with a nice thin edge.

My eye kept going to one thing, and it's totally a preference thing so not right or wrong, and it's VERY minor to me.....but I'd like to see the rear stainless spacer the same thickness as the front one.

That is really picking the fly poop out of the pepper, fantastic knife just the same.

Thanks for showing it.
 
Beautiful petty, I particularly like the plunge line transition. Lovely handle materia choice as well, and I agree equal SS spacer thickness (or much thinner on rear) might be slightly more aesthetically pleasing.
 
Murray White said:
it would make a nice dress "steak" knife also STeven so hope it came with a sheath. Nice to see good things coming from a fellow Canuck.
Click to expand...

Murray, it didn't come with a sheath. wouldn't want one. For SURE wouldn't be cutting steak against a ceramic plate at a nice restaurant and killing the edge.

Have two of these nice, "better sized for portability" Santa Fe Stoneworks pieces that did come with sheaths, as well as my folding steak knife with a Paul Long sharkskin pouch as you can see from the photo.
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J. Doyle said:
My eye kept going to one thing, and it's totally a preference thing so not right or wrong, and it's VERY minor to me.....but I'd like to see the rear stainless spacer the same thickness as the front one.

That is really picking the fly poop out of the pepper, fantastic knife just the same.
Click to expand...

Hey John, I had approval of the design before it was made. Joe likes a bit of assymetry and it sort of reminded me of the "beauty rings" on a pool cue, and that was cool with me, so we kept it in. Could have had that even spacing, just opted not to do it.

Thanks for commenting, everyone.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
+1 -- Elegant work.

That style has a nice set of features which Joe has cleanly executed. The way the edge starts from a lowered heel, rising steeply to develop an acute point that doesn't drop much from the top line of the spine/handle, looks like it would give the knife a very precise feel. I also like how those angles lift the handle just off the work surface, affording a bit of clearance. I'll bet that's a delight to use around the kitchen.

For me the tasteful touch of maple against the darker ironwood sets the package off beautifully. I really like that.

Nice one, STeven. :thumbup:
 
Thanks very much STeven and all others who commented. I'm overwhelmed at the response of great makers and collectors alike.
Jon-Those are pretty sweet kitchen cutters, Love the design.
John- I'm certainly going to try different sizes of spacers to accommodate a variety of tastes.
Will- Thanks for noticing the details.

Thanks everyone.
 
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