Background...The Windom was derived from a classic western chef's knife- first scrutinizing the quintessential elements, merging the best lines and geometries, then refining them into a wonderfully functional aesthetic. The chef's knife is known for its universal versatility in the kitchen, taking on slicing, mincing, dicing, and juliening in stride. The Windom shares these attributes, along with a cleverly maneuverable 7.25" blade. The Windom was crafted to have a razor sharp rocking edge that requires no lifting to cut; an easy rhythmic cadence quickly finds you on the other side of a cutting task, with minimal effort. The chef's knife is one of the essential blades required in the kitchen. When cared for properly, the Windom will serve you well for a lifetime. Handle... Choalla Cactus with Turquoise We fell in love with this stabilized Choalla Cactus handle inlaid with Turquoise the minute we laid eyes on it. A warm-hearted nod to our friends in the Southwest. †History of the Name... As you may know, we often name our knives after the highest peaks in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, affectionately known as "fourteeners". Windom Peak | 14,082 feet Whitman Cross, with the U.S. Geological Survey, was asked to name this peak, among about 30 others, including Sunlight Peak. According to a letter, Cross said there was no special reason for the name Windom Peak, though it may have stemmed from William Windom, a congressmen, senator and secretary of the Treasury. Windom was described as a “typical politician of his day in that he spent his early life in a log cabin,” according to Hart. Other details on Windom are scarce. Blade Options... It is available in the following high carbon steel blade formats: Hand-forged Matte, 230 layer Damascus, and in the extremely unique San Mai. Hand Forged Matte - This is the staple of our limited edition blades. It capitalizes on the beneficial properties of high carbon steel, resulting in maximum performance, and an almost silky textured finish. Damascus - While this legendary knife making process dates back thousands of years old, our modernized process creates timeless, contemporary knives. Each of the individual 230 layers of steel folded by hand to create a remarkable and mesmerizing damascus- a wavy, ripple pattern tracing the lines where the steel layers fused. Each piece is a labor of love and creativity. Each damascus pattern is one of kind. San Mai - This "three parts" composition and construction process is Japanese in origin, and it accurately describes how this blade format is produced. We use an extremely technical process of hand forging a stainless steel around a high carbon steel core. The stainless elements are meant to have an imperceptible flex, around a rock hard core that is also the cutting edge. The visible wave that is created when the layers are bonded together is entirely unique to that blade. No two are the same. Specs... Steel: Hand forged High Carbon Steel (type 01) Steel Hardness: 61 hRc Blade Shape: Nakiri Blade Options: Matte, Damascus, San Mai Blade Type: Matte, Full Tang Blade Length: 7.25” Edge Type: Straight-back, Convex Edge Angle: 16º Handle Shape: SV1 Handle Material: Fire-Glow Maple † Source: https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/stories-behind-the-summits-the-history-origin-behind-the-name-of-every-colorado-14er
