A show-stopping piece of fossilized mammoth molar forms the beautifully sculpted, hand-filling handle of the Mammoth Deviations Chef Knife by ABS Master Bladesmith Aaron Wilburn. From a sea of greens to shades of teal and turquoise, to blues from light to dark, and a variety of browns with unexpected depth and character, the natural grain of this fossilized material that dates to the last ice age is as stunning as any we have witnessed. Comfortable and ergonomic, designed for daily use on the cutting board, Aaron pairs to the head-turning handle a blade as unique and beautiful. Complementing the striations within the mammoth tooth, Aaron creates a mosaic carbon damascus pattern with equally bold lines, the contrasting carbon steel alloys play off of one another in a dance of the 15n20's nickel-rich, polished sheen, and the 1084's dark, matte luster. Whether the kaleidoscopic elements that form the blade's pattern are converging, erupting, or maintaining a perfect equilibrium, is for the viewer to decide. From the carved integral bolster through to the slim, needle-like tip, the damascus seems to harness energy and potential beyond its worldly cutting capacity. And that capacity, with the thoughtful touch of Mr Wilburn, is mammoth in size. At 250mm / 9.8" long with an upswept, Western-inspired profile, ample belly for big ingredients, 54mm-tall heel for uninhibited chopping, and tall, nicely honed bevels with a convex portion above the thin, razor-sharp edge for cutting performance, as a tool this one-of-a-kind object leaves nothing to want. Stiff and sturdy in the rear, the blade's spine tapers steadily forward, giving the blade a dynamic, versatile feel, and providing a touch of lateral flexibility in the final inches. Art, history, food, and tool come together in the latest piece to grace out collection.
