This chef’s knife was a meaningful milestone in my knifemaking journey. A friend from Utah reached out and asked if I sold my knives, then asked if I would make one for her. It was the first time someone had asked to buy a knife from me, and I was genuinely honored.

For the blade, I chose 5160 spring steel and custom designed the profile. At this stage I was still early in my learning, so the bevels reflect that beginner phase, but the build also shows some important growth in my process. The handle was my first attempt at segmented scales, using white G10 paired with Brazilian rosewood. This knife also marks one of the first times I documented hand-sanding, which has since become a standard requirement on all of my blades.

The finished knife brought together a custom blade shape, a more refined handle design, and a level of finish that represented a clear step forward for me at the time.