Andy Billipp’s BAF Western Chef Knife prototype, a 242mm kitchen workhorse forged from 52100 high-carbon steel, strikes a balance of tradition and modern refinement. Its full-size, 63mm-tall blade is shaped by hand from a wide piece of steel to allow for the sub-integral bolster construction and deeply textured, forged concave bevel faces. Continuing the BAF lineage — named for Blue Arrow Forge, where Andy first began crafting chef knives over 15 years ago — this rendition embraces the Western handle form for familiar comfort and confident control. The blade features compound bevel geometry attained through a superb marriage of purposeful hammer blows and freehand grinding: concave hollows darkened by fire and forge, while the lower convex portions gleam with a silky, hand-sanded satin finish, carrying edge thinness and performance to remarkable heights. As with Andy’s signature custom builds, the sub-integral construction approach allows the wide, tapering blade spine and tang to flow seamlessly into the handle, creating strength and rigidity while naturally guiding the chef’s fingers in the pinch grip. Tapering from nearly 7mm thick to little more than 1mm before the fine, needle-like tip, the blade is robust yet versatile — equally capable of the most demanding cuts and the most delicate work, sharpened to a thin, hair-popping edge. At 10.3oz / 293g, the knife carries a solid, confident weight, balanced just ahead of the choil for steady, powerful movement across the board. For this Western version, Andy has sculpted a handle from richly toned local cherry wood, finished and sealed with dark, fire-burnished surfaces, and accented by a stepped, heirloom-fit copper ferrule, offering a grip that feels both familiar and elevated. The result is a chef knife that embodies the approachable spirit of the BAF collection while retaining the unmistakable artistry of its maker: an everyday companion forged with the enduring soul of Blue Arrow Forge.
