"Tsih" Fine Custom Chef's Knives Matched Pair

• Size (Knives): Thick: Length overall: 13.0" (33.0 cm), Blade Length: 8.6" (21.8 cm), Thickness: .200" (5.1 mm)
  Thin: Length overall: 13.2" (33.5 cm), Blade Length: 8.8" (22.4 cm), Thickness: 0.090" (2.2 mm)
• Size (Knives in Block): 12.0" (30.5 cm) tall, 3.5" (8.9 cm) wide, 13" (33.0 cm) long
• Size (Book Case): 15" (38.1 cm) long, 6.5" (16.5 cm) wide, 1" (2.5 cm) thick
• Weight: Thick Knife: 8.6 oz. (244 grams), Thin Knife: 6.1 oz. (173 grams), Knives in Block: 7 lb. (2.7 kilograms), Knives in Book Case: 3 lbs., 5 oz. (1.5 kg.)
• Blades: CPM 154CM powder metal high molybdenum martensitic stainless tool steel, proprietary T3 deep cryogenic treatment, hardened and tempered to Rockwell C60.5 (thin blade), Rockwell C61(thick blade), mirror polished
• Fittings/Bolsters: 304 austenitic stainless steel, mirror polished
• Handle: Polished Deschutes Jasper Gemstone (Oregon)
• Stand/Block: American Black Walnut, Paradiso Classico Granite Migmatite (India)
• Book Case: Leather shoulder, American Bison Skin, Stainless Steel, Nylon Thread
• Knives:  These fine custom knives were made to order for a great client. He requested two knives in my "Tsih" pattern, one with a thin blade, and one with a thicker blade. The blade style is a great crossover in two thicknesses, with the thicker blade a more stout, harder, and immovable tough knife useful for slicing large, heavy, and thick foodstuffs, a true workhorse. The thinner blade is slightly longer, with a needle-like point, thin enough for fillet of large fish without bending, and more delicate boning and slicing operations. Together, they make a magnificent pair.
  • Blades: The Tsih blades are CPM 154CM powder metal martensitic stainless steel. They are corrosion-resistant, extremely tough, and have extremely high wear resistance, while capable of an extremely thin, sharp, and long-lived cutting edges. This is not only due to the steel alloy content, it's because of my specialized proprietary heat treatment. These blades are treated with my T3 deep cryogenic process, one that is extremely lengthy and complicated and takes a full week, with 33 specific steps and temperatures ranging from over 1900°F to -320°F! This process is so dynamic and transformative that it creates extremely fine grain, low asperity, maximum development of martensite, and a tremendous amount and distribution of complex carbides. The performance of these blades will be exemplary, blades that will literally last for generations with minimal sharpening, high toughness, and high overall strength. I will flatly claim that the condition of this blade is superior to all others made; no one has or employs this level of treatment detail in any knife, anywhere! The extremely high molybdenum assures high toughness and plenty of multi-element complex carbides for wear resistance and stability. The blades are smooth and clean, with fully tapered tangs for balance. The curves are sweeping and gentle, and the narrow point of the thinner blade can be used in the most delicate of cutting chores. The blades are hygienic and smooth and beautifully mirror-polished for easy cleaning and high food safety.
  • Fittings: I bolstered the Tsih knives with high nickel, high chromium austenitic stainless steel. This is the same steel used in stainless nuts, bolts, and fasteners, and with 18 percent chromium and 8 percent nickel, it's incredibly tough. This is a food contact safe zero-care stainless steel, it will not corrode, no matter what it could encounter in any kitchen. The bolsters are rounded, contoured, and polished for a comfortable grip. The bolsters are dovetailed to anchor, support, and bed the knife scales permanently to the handle.
  • Handles: The handle scales chosen for this project were at the request of my client, who wanted a distinctive, handsome look with tremendous longevity. He chose Deschutes Jasper gemstone, part of the Biggs Jasper basalt flow near Biggs Junction, Oregon. Deschutes is the premium material in this area, prized for its tremendous pattern and color, a true picture jasper. It's hard, tough, and solid and will keep its glassy finish indefinitely, outlasting the stainless steel of the knife!  The scales are bedded to the tang with a stress-free mounting, locked under the bolster dovetails, rounded and smoothly polished. The fit is flawless.
  •  The knives feel different in the hand; the thicker blade is a noticeable contender in the kitchen, ready for hard work, while the graceful thin blade feels light and extremely keen. The handles form well into the hand, comfortable and smooth. These are knives that will work and maintain their beauty for generations.
• Stand/Block: The block I designed for this custom project is simple, bold, and functional. It's made of American Black Walnut hardwood, matching the color and handsome look of the gemstone handles. I carved it with a graceful curved top to break up any angularity, and protect the sharp blades and owner on the counter. I angled the handles differently so they would be easy to grasp and pull from the block in use. The walnut is sealed with tung and polymer oils, and sealed with clear acrylic. The base is held stable with a thick, polished block of Paradiso Classico Granite Migmatite from India, secured with large stainless steel screws. The base has inset neoprene feet to protect the counter without sliding, and an engraved lacquered brass legend plate inset into the bottom for provenance.
• Book Case: My client also requested a way to transport the knives, and while one consideration was a chef's roll, these knives deserved so much more. So I created one of my thick, heavy, and protective Book Cases, made of heavy 10 oz. leather shoulder, dyed dark brown, stitched with heavy nylon thread, with stainless steel snaps, and covered with American Bison Skin. This is an elegant, tough, and extremely safe case that will protect the knives, and more importantly, protect the owner while transporting.
• This was a great project; one of my finest, and I'm happy it all came together so beautifully. Sets like this make me proud to be a professional custom knifemaker and my wish is for my client to use it for the rest of his life in great health and happiness!

Thanks M. T.!