Tall, slim, light, and fast, this 202mm / 8" chef from bladesmith Steve Pellegrino is poised to rule the kitchen. In W2 carbon steel with a beautiful high-polish finish that reveals the hanyaki's hamon line, the blade's edge is thin and the tip is very slim at the end of a wonderful, full-distal taper. To slice with effortless yet precise movements, and to chop with its 62mm tall heel, this Philadelphia-based maker has delivered a purpose-built tool for home and professional chefs alike. The handle is sculpted from dark, dyed Hawaiian Koa wood with striking grain, comfortable and unobtrusive, both small and large hands will find the less-is-more style a pleasure to hold and use.