An iconic damascus pattern of California artist Nick Anderson, Arboreal, is given the royal treatment by way of a meticulous ‘feathering’ process, endowing the knife’s finished blade and integral bolster with a striking visual effect. Forged by hand at Nick’s Humboldt County studio from 1084 and 15n20 high-carbon alloys, the nature-inspired mosaic pattern is shaped into a dynamic, versatile 208mm / 8.2″ chef’s profile designed for all manner of daily meal prep. The thoughtful, hand-sanded satin finish and etch reveal the layers of steel impeccably. With cutting performance, food release, and balance in mind, Nick has shaped the symmetrical bevels with superb compound ‘S-grind’ geometry complemented by a strong, tough, 54mm-tall heel for chopping work, and a very fine, needle-like tip for precision slicing and detail cuts. Throughout its length the edge is thin and razor-sharp beneath the wonderfully honed, convex lower section of the primary bevels. Faceted for comfort in the pinch grip, the spine tapers distally resulting a in a touch of lateral flexibility in the forward inches. A comfortable and beautiful handle begins with the forged, integral bolster which displays the feathered Arboreal pattern in dense, awe-inspiring detail. Then, with heirloom fit-up, a heat-colored stainless steel ring separates damascus from wood. And finally, to cradle the fingers and provide control over this incredible chef knife is a grip carved from a piece of Hawaiian Curly Koa of exceptional color and grain. At the rear is a flush stainless-steel retention bolt cap, the outer sign of the handle’s internal mechanical construction.