Rolin Knives Honyaki 205mm Garasuki W2 Ebony & Textured Brass with Saya

Hand forged and differently heat treated honyaki garasuki made from W2 carbon steel with octagonal handle made from ebony with a hand textured brass ferrule. Comes with India Ink Dyed Poplar Saya with a waxed thread tethered brass pin.

Mizu honyaki is one of the most difficult and skilled forging methods in Japanese knife making, using only high-carbon steel that’s hardened by quenching in water. The process is risky—many blades crack—but when done right, it creates a knife with incredible sharpness, a visible hamon line, and unmatched cutting performance.

All aspects of this knife were meticulously forged, heat-treated, ground, machined, and shaped with an incredible amount of detail and intention by Nick Rolin. Originally from the Bay Area, Nick earned a degree in Sustainable Agriculture from UCSC before becoming a line cook. Nick’s blade shapes and styles are inspired by his years in the professional kitchen and by his passion for well made things. After leaving kitchens to bartend in NYC, Nick took a weekend knife making class in 2016. This class sent him down the never ending rabbit hole of knife making, and after making knives for friends and colleagues, the eventual demand led to an inevitable return to the Bay Area in 2022 to make knives full-time.

We continue to be impressed with Nick’s work across many disciplines of knife forging. Not only with the craftsmanship and aesthetics but also the edge performance, cutting feel and sharpenability of his knives. We are lucky to have Nick in our backyard and are proud to be able to show his work to our knife community.