01/04/2023
Now that this gift has been gifted, I can share the restoration! Started with a pretty beat up Misono santoku knife that I purchased as a gift for my mom. It went through quite a transformation process of going from a Western handle (with a bolster) to a Japanese style octagonal handle.
Involved some grinding, rust removal, reshaping of the blade (added a swoop to the heel for comfort), major sharpening, and some 3d modeling/designing.
The 3d printing came really handy making the dowel to join the handle instead of modifying a wooden dowel. And the case was a nice way to finish it up too.
The handle itself is made of cherry and a piece of Pernambuco. Pernambuco is a really cool wood and was lovely to work with. It is also the same wood violin bows are made of, which is really cool.