A metallic starburst by ABS Master Bladesmith Aaron Wilburn in carbon damascus alloys is tiled along the length of this 264mm chef’s blade to produce a mosaic that shines as brightly as its namesake. If you’re unable to avert your eyes, not to worry; unlike the celestial phenomenon, looking straight into this magnificent object will do no damage. To the contrary, the latest one-of-a-kind culinary tool by this talented Idaho-based artist is designed for everyday use in kitchens large and small, poised to become any chef’s workhorse for every cut from the largest to the most delicate. Beneath the integral forged starburst damascus bolster and just forward, where the blade stands 57mm tall at the heel, toughness and rigidity for chopping tasks are balanced by lateral flexibility and an especially thin tip in the forward half. These thoughtful and versatile attributes are further enhanced by an edge profile that sees a high tip and deep belly to produce a pronounced, up-swept curve to the edge designed for slicing and carving work. Throughout the blade’s bevels which present Aaron’s striking artwork of layered steel with a high-contrast, etched, and polished finish, the geometry is tall and convex, slimming downward from the tapering spine to a very thin, hard, and razor-sharp edge. While the first fingers wrap around the sculpted handle bolster shaped from the same steel as the blade, the rest hug an ergonomic, carved piece of beautiful Hawaiian Koa with natural grain and color to match the unique-yet-classic aesthetic of the knife as a whole.