Chef Forum banner

Iselandic knife

2K views 16 replies 4 participants last post by  rick alan 
#1 · (Edited)
Not really a cooking knife but I'll use it on fish and moose for field dressing. Whale tooth and ebony handle with Damascus steel blade. Hand made, numbered and registered ownership with the artist who made it. It cost a pretty penny but it was a 50th birthday present to myself. Sharp enough to shave a hair.
 
#2 ·
Happy Birthday!  Just to complete the picture, who is the craftsman and what is the core steel?

I'm sure your knife is much more, as well as prettier, but for my 61st birthday I just bought myself a new steak knife from Jon.  Actually it's a Geshin Kagero 135mm petty.  Sharpest knife I've owned so far, out of the box it easily shaved a 0.5mm slice of onion.  Now I just have to decide on a piece of meat to properly christen it with.

Rick
 
#3 · (Edited)
"About Palli
PalliIcelander Palli Kristjánsson is carrying on a tradition. Using natural materials that were available in the Viking Age, he brings them into today's modern times in a new and highly artistic way. With his artistic approach to knife making he creates decorated knives that evoke the feral surroundings of his native land and the Viking Age of his forefathers.

As the country's only professional knife-maker, his work is in demand with collectors all over the world seeking out his highly individual creations.
For the hilts or handles he uses reindeer antler, bone or hooves from sheep and cows, whale tooth and bone, and fossilised wood that is 12 million years old (brown coal or fossilised tree). He also uses an assortment of Icelandic stones. Kristjánsson wanders the highlands and lowlands of his beloved country collecting suitable materials for his labours of love.

The sheaths he fashions for the knives are no less evocative. Using leather, wood, the skins of cow, seal and fish Kristjánsson creates a fitting holster, often, like the handles, intricately patterned with Viking symbols and carvings.

The knife blades are not Icelandic, however. They are either hand-made copies of Iron Age or Viking Age designs from Denmark, Damascus steel, or factory-produced blades from other parts of Scandinavia.

Knives can be custom made to order, the blade and handle materials being selected by the buyer. The knife will be delivered within 4-8 weeks.
No two knives and sheaths are the same. When you own a Kristjánsson knife, you can be sure that it's unique."

I wish I would have had time to go visit his shop when I was there but I got this one at a store in Reykjavik. Not sure about the blade core. The info above comes from his wedste knifemaker.is
 
#5 · (Edited)
Interesting character, and since the Vikings typically got their steel elsewhere he is "in character" there also.

As to my knife, certainly the sharpness you'd want, but longer, like 240 or maybe more.  Of course now I have to go try it out on a 30mm diameter Soppressata.  Well, it cut thru in one easy stroke, my 240 slicer takes a full stroke even when freshly sharpened!

Rick
 
#14 · (Edited)
Early eighties.  I used it to practice fighting techniques specific to the Bowie.  I never actually cut anything with it, though of late I have actually toyed with the idea of using it for steak.

Even back then there was a 2 year wait to get one from the factory.  I bought it from a dealer for a premium and only waited 6 months.  It's what everyone bought short of ponying up for an ABS custom maker.  $125 back then (premium dealer price) and a real bargain at that, I'm sure you know what they go for nowadays.  Amazing when you think they supplied such an impeccably hand-made forgie for that.  With a very nice leather sheaf no less.

I have the stainless version, 440C/B, I understand they used either/or depending on the carbon content stated in the cert.  They were very particular here about carbon content and heat treat.  The edge came rough finished, so I do know personally it takes a very nice one.

Rick
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top