W2 Chef with Hamon

W2 tool steel is known for creating beautiful hamons. That is that cloudy shape that goes down the blade. It is created from applying clay to the spine of the knife and along the bevel, leaving the edge exposed. During heat treating, the edge will harden, but the spine and areas covered by clay or refractory have been insulated and left softened. Through various acids and etchants we can reveal the hamon, the line between hardened and softer steel. This guy has an 8 1/4 inch blade, and a 2 3/8 width at the heel. It is dressed in ironwood and G10. It’s a big knife, but it is very light and nimble in the hand.