Washington artist Salem Straub’s contribution to The Art of Cutlery, a chef knife named “Dragon’s Tale,” on show during summer 2024 in Tribeca, NYC, combines a complex, multi-pattern mosaic damascus blade shaped with compound ‘S-grind’ bevel geometry and a captivating keyhole integral construction handle. Through the blade’s center runs a feathered piece of Salem’s Dragonfly Wings damascus steel between edge bars of twisted explosion pattern damascus, each of which are visible through the keyhole bolster as well. Completing the handle is paper micarta, G10, and an iridescent ‘abalone shell’ composite. As with all of Salem’s work, balance, ergonomics, and cutting performance are as refined as the aesthetics are breathtaking. Thin and razor-sharp at the edge, this knife is crafted for performance.