Korben Bloomfield’s culinary tools, always unique and consistently tailored for the discerning chef, tend to stand apart in aesthetic style, and that holds true for this one-of-a-kind Black Bubble Damascus Chef. The blade is forged by hand at Korben’s studio in southern England from his house-made formula that sees a core of Austrian-made high-performance ApexUltra tungsten-carbon steel clad in ‘Black Bubble’ damascus. Completed with Korben’s signature black finish that provides protection from oxidation and efficacy on the cutting board, the final etch and polish give it a striking look. Quite thin behind an edge that sits below nicely honed convex bevels and a tapering, rounded spine, the 190mm / 8.6″ blade is designed to perform all manner of daily meal prep in kitchens large or small. Like that of a needle, the tip is aggressively shaped, glass-thin, and positioned low in relation to the handle, making it perfect for the most detailed and precise slices. Along the blade’s tang and protruding flats Korben has left a welcomed stretch of forge-textured finish. For comfort and control in a beautifully sculpted form that fills the hand ergonomically and fashionably is a handle crafted from ebony and fit with a black G10 ferule. A domed, polished stainless steel pin allows the handle to be removed in the case that care or maintenance are needed. Balancing just at the blade’s 58mm-tall heel, the knife feels wonderful in the hand and on the board.