Expect the unexpected from Rhode Island bladesmith and metal artist Joshua Prince. Like this extraordinary, pre-owned, never-used, bunka-inspired handmade chef's knife, each piece crafted by his talented hands is both living sculpture and hardworking tool—Joshua never sacrifices one for the other. In shaping the head-turning, 197mm / 7.8" clipped-tip blade, Joshua begins by artfully designing and forging several distinct damascus steel patterns, each composed of multiple high-carbon steel alloys. The uniqueness of each visual motif, when combined into a single billet from which the final blade is sculpted, tells a story of metal in motion—manipulated by heat, hammer, and pressure. A monosteel edge bar anchors the blade, with two flowing, organic patterns above it, all seemingly suspended beneath a complex and detailed "web" mosaic. Within that web lie still more layers of stunning intricacy. Despite its visual complexity, the blade is made with uncompromising kitchen utility in mind. Its geometry interacts brilliantly with the layered damascus, the transitions between steel patterns marking the boundary between convex and concave bevels. The razor-sharp edge delivers the strength and mass required for the most demanding cuts, while preserving the finesse needed for delicate slicing. It strikes a perfect balance—falling midway between a vegetable cleaver’s fine geometry and a meat cleaver’s power—making it an exceptionally versatile tool in any chef’s arsenal. For comfort and control, and with a profile as striking as the blade itself, Joshua pairs a beautifully figured piece of purpleheart wood with an integral, hand-forged damascus bolster, joined with a stepped, heirloom-quality fit. Balancing just in front of the bolster-to-bevel transition, this one-of-a-kind kitchen knife embodies everything we hope to find in a world-class culinary tool. It’s more than a knife—it’s a conversation between artist and flame, forged to be felt in the hand and remembered long after the meal.
