Simon Maillet Sheffield Seven Petty + Gyuto

First Impressions

The superb pair of knives are an extremely limited run of just 7 pairs comprising a 115mm petty and 215mm gyuto hand forged forged in a san-mai technique with a carbon steel C130 core clad in wrought iron from Sheffield Heeley Estate.

The wrought iron cladding material was originally used for the fences around the estate and has been forged to shape for use as the cladding for just for these knives. It was probably originally made in Sheffield around 1800-1850 although we can't be absolutely certain of the exact date.

The deliberate choice of making a cladding from material local to Simon's workshop is both a tribute to the Sheffield area and a nod to Simon's own philisophy of efficiency and creating minimal waste in the making of his knives.

Beauty

Both knives feature a rustic kurouchi finish of great depth and a lovely hazy kasumi finish made with a combination of Shobudani and Aizu natural stones and finally stropping to expose the core steel.

In Hand

Along with locally sourced cladding, the handles fitted to both knives are also both sourced from Ecclesall Woods.

From 1600 to the early 1800s the Woods were managed as 'coppice with standards', and divided into various compartments that were rented out. During this period Ecclesall Woods were key to Sheffield's industrial development. Charcoal made here was used for smelting iron; white coal was for smelting lead.

This is why both handles are made with a burnt finish.

Gyuto Handle: Burnt English Oak, finish wax + linseed oil (Quercus robur)
Petty Handle: Burnt Sweet chestnut, finish wax + linseed oil (Castanea sativa)

The handles are friction fitted and "glued" with a cutler cement. This allows the possibility to remove the handle for some maintenance and further polishing on the blade. Just need to warm the tang and push it back inside the handle.

The cutler cement is the old method for gluing handles and tangs. It was use extensively in Sheffield before modern glue. The cutler cement is a mix of bee wax, pine resin and wood dust.

The petty weighs 52g and the gyuto is 156g.

Durability

These knives are designed to be durable and easy to maintain with their friction fit handles and C130 high carbon core that offers excellent edge retention.

Ease of Care

Follow our carbon steel care tips and for longer term maintenance a carbon steel care kit provides all the tools required to keep these knives in top condition. 

Our Verdict

It's a pleasure to bring this collection of knives to you and we've enjoyed the process of working with Simon to decide on materials and just as importantly - the tribute to Sheffield craft and knife making to create this stunning pair of knives. 

Both boast exceptional edges finished on natural stones and the as a daily driver, the gyuto is thin behind the edge offering some of the smoothest cutting of any knives we've sold and this is complimented perfectly by the mid-sized petty ideal for the more intricate jobs. 

There will be just 7 lucky knife owners or collectors somewhere in the world who will be able to enjoy these fabulous knives. Once they're gone, they're gone.