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Unique Custom Collectibles Made-To-Order

Unique Custom Collectibles Made-To-Order

Nov 11, 2023

Filed under: about our knives,  about our wood,  Artist Series knife,  collectible cutlery,  collectible knife,  Collector Knife,  Combat Chef MkII,  cutlery blog,  Hand-crafted display boxes,  Hawaiian koa wood knife,  Hawaiian koa wood knives,  Kiku,  Kiku Knives,  Kiku Matsuda,  MkII Limited Edition knife,  Salter Fine Cutlery,  Salter Fine Cutlery Blog

This one-of-a-kind Salter-Kiku Collaboration collectible is part of our elite artist series, commissioned as an exclusive custom piece that blends history and art in a truly exquisite knife. 

Collectible knife with matching keepsake box and deckwood from the USS Missouri battleship by Salter Fine Cutlery

About the Knife:

When we were approached to make this knife, there was one request – to make something incredibly unique with a nautical theme that included a trident. The goal was not to make a knife to use in the kitchen nor in the field, though it could certainly do either, but rather to create a knife to hold, admire, and display.

Custom Collectible knife with special request Trident brass bolster handmade by Salter Fine Cutlery

The Blade:

As part of our longstanding relationship with renowned Japanese master blade-maker Kiku Matsuda, this 210mm OU-31 Japanese carbon steel blade is only one of four in existence. It was individually hand-forged exclusively for us using Salter Fine Cutlery’s own design specifications. Kiku shows his mastery with his extraordinary matte pattern finish and ‘magic hand’ appleseed grind that makes these blades incredibly sharp. Both the Salter Fine Cutlery and Kiku logos are etched on the blade to mark the collaboration of two fine artists.

Collectible collaboration chef knife by Salter Fine Cutlery and Kiku Matsuda with Kiku's famous pattern handmade exclusively for Salter Fine Cutlery

The Handle:

The koa handle is a work of art, constructed completely by hand without the use of large machinery by master woodworker Gregg Salter, owner and artist of Salter Fine Cutlery.  It features our special reserve stock of exceptionally rare, old growth Hawaiian curly koa wood. This wood has the characteristic koa chatoyance and tight curl that makes it such a stunning wood choice.

Decorative accents include a brass trident hand-guard and end cap, nickel-silver accent, brass pins and teak wood accents using reclaimed teak wood from the deck of the USS Missouri battleship. 

The trident was completely made by hand and eye using files and hand-sanding. 

Custom artist-series handle with curly koa wood and reclaimed deckwood from the USS Missouri brass and stainless steel accents by Salter Fine Cutlery

The Presentation:

The knife is attractively displayed in a keepsake box of Hawaiian curly koa wood. A lighter golden color curly koa wood was chosen, adding a distinctive contrast for this display piece. Nautical history is carried into the box using teak wood from USS Missouri with a hand-engraved trident inlaid into the lid, and a plate engraved with the battleships official number, BB-63, mounted against a black velvet background. 

Collectible knife in keepsake box of curly Hawaiian koa wood with label accents made of reclaimed deck wood from the Battleship Missouri BB-63

The History:

The USS Missouri is on permanent display in Hawaii, commemorating both the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor, prompting the United States to enter World War II, along with the Japanese surrender, signed on the Missouri, signifying the end of the war in the Pacific.  

Collectible knife with box featuring trident on knife and engraved on lid using reclaimed deck wood from Battleship Missouri

We were honored to be able to make a knife that embodies so much history in a collaboration project that celebrates both friendship and artistry between our two great nations.

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