K Sabatier 'New Old Stock' 10" Chef 'Canadian' Stainless Steel

These knives were made in Theirs, France in the 1950‘s. They are hand forged on an old style 'Martinet' mechanical hammer and then ground by hand on stone wheels, very similarly to how knives were made in the 19th and early 20th century, these techniques and equipment are now long gone.

They are often lighter and springier than their modern contemporaries, these have a heavier heel than the other carbon steel new old stock knives, as such for tough work they have great cutting power and are easy to sharpen, don't over-polish them with fine Japanese stones, these do better with a coarser edge (equivalent to 1000 Japanese grit stone) and kept up with a fine honing steel. The advice to use a steel before you use your knife is the result of these kind of knives in a busy professional kitchen; only steel them once you feel the edge starting to lean to one side.

It should be noted as well that the wood is a bit dry from all the years in storage and the oak tannin based dye on the beech wood handles can come off on hands for the first several uses. If you can deal with these small issues you are rewarded with a knife that has a great cutting feel and is truly a piece of history!

Since 1834, K Sabatier has been the dedicated brand of Sabatier Aine & Perrier, a family cutlery business started by Philippe Sabatier in the early 1800’s. The business has been passed down 8 generations, and has remained located in the hills of Thiers, France in the village of Bellevue. They continue to run their company with pride and precision, keeping all aspects of the manufacturing process within the area of Thiers.