German bladesmith Oliver Mrtens creates a technical, high-performance gyuto designed for precision on the cutting board. Light, thin, and quick in the hand, Oliver has hand-forged with care and purpose the hollow portion of the blade’s compound bevels and left that area with a dark, forge finish. From there down to the edge, and forward to the incredibly slim, pointed tip, the 14C28N stainless steel then receives an all-business belt finish. Beneath the darker hollow stretch, the bevels are convex to the razor-sharp, thin edge for added food release. Balancing around one centimeter in front of the 57mm-tall heel, the knife could not feel better in the hand, the blade profile designed for any and every cut, and the handle for any hand size and grip style. That handle, in octagonal wa-form, is carved from oiled oak sourced locally to Oliver’s Kassel, Germany studio. Capped with bronze in the front and back with black G10 liners and a titanium locking screw, Oliver has made the handle easy to remove in case care and maintenance are needed. An hard-working tool created for the discerning chef.