For this first James Oatley release of 2025 comes an extraordinary blade crafted late in 2024 at the one-of-a-kind artist’s Sydney, Australia studio. Shaped from 14c28n cryogenically treated high-carbon, stainless-steel and given a high-polished, hand-sanded finish that shines in every way is a blade ready for anything. Quick, light, and nimble in the hand, the Marbled Roses Gyuto delivers 212mm / 8.3″ of slim, razor-sharp edge to the cutting board, with ample height for chopping the largest ingredients, and the finesse and precision to perform every last slice. James’ impressively honed compound ‘S-grind’ bevel geometry ensures food release and overall performance on the cutting board while helping to reduce weight and keep a large overall profile balanced and welcoming in the hand. Rounded and tapering distally from handle to tip, the spine slims more quickly than some of James’s work, hitting just 1.5mm wide around the midpoint before slimming further to less than 1mm an inch from the tip. With these dimensions coupled with James’ superb heat treatment, the blade enjoys just a touch of lateral flexibility in the final inches. Bold and beautiful, the handle features not only a striking piece of dyed and stabilized boxelder burl shaped in his well-loved, symmetrical wa form, James gives it an extra touch with a solid brass bolster and matching domed brass pin. The pin allows for the handle’s removal in case care and maintenance are needed. A custom quilted maple saya is included, also with solid brass pin.