Pohutukawa Kitchen Cleaver

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Benjamin hand-forged this integral Damascus kitchen cleaver from pattern-welded layers of 1084 and 15N20 steel, shaped by hand for a strong, distinctive blade with reliable edge re tention. The handle is crafted from New Zealand's iconic "Christmas tree" renowned for its vivid crimson December blooms. This dense, heavy, reddish-brown wood—strong, durable, and often featuring a swirled or tortuous grain—has deep cultural roots. Māori regarded it as a chiefly tree (rākau rangatira), using its hard heartwood for tools, paddles, and weapons, while legends connect its red flowers to the blood of the warrior Tawhaki. This particular pōhutukawa once grew in Karori, Wellington, on Versailles Street. Karori, known to Māori as Kaharore, was originally a forested valley cleared in the 1840s onward for farming and settlement. Trees like this one grew up alongside the new street and houses in that era, part of the evolving landscape of Wellington's western hills. The wood was stabilised for added durability. This one-of-a-kind cleaver comes with its own benchtop display stand made from salvaged rebar and matching pōhutukawa, echoing the handle material. Blade length: 135mm Overall length: 265mm Year: 2021 Artist: Benjamin Madden ⚔️ If you would like to purchase this piece but live outside of New Zealand or Australia, please contact us directly to discuss your international shipping options. Thank you! Show more