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Crafting a Chef Knife for His Majesty the King of Bhutan



NITRO V STAINLESS STEEL WESTERN-STYLE CHEF KNIFE WITH STABILIZED BLUE MANGO WOOD, IVORY G10, MOTHER OF PEARL, DEER HORN, AND STERLING SILVER


In my recent trip to Bhutan, I was invited to lead a workshop for local knife-makers. I never anticipated that this journey would lead me to another opportunity: crafting a work of art for His Majesty the Fifth King of Bhutan. 

Aware of His Majesty's love for cooking, I immediately decided to design a western-style chef knife, blending innovation and practicality. With an established base, I had the perfect canvas to incorporate design elements inspired by my Filipino roots, creating something new and unique


For the blade, I chose Nitro V steel, known for its easy maintenance and remarkable longevity. It was a steel that allowed for easy grinding, yet was far more durable than standard stainless steel. I shaped the blade in the form of western-style knives, ensuring a balance of form and function.

The handle was sculpted from stabilized blue mango wood, a material abundant back home in the Philippines. Infusing the wood with a blue color during stabilization, I paired it with Ivory G10, secured with blind brass screws and epoxy. 

The finishing touch was the polished mother of pearl inlay, reminiscent of home and the reflection of water on sandy sea beds.

Crafting the scabbard, I used the same stabilized blue mango wood and Ivory G10. I crafted the scabbard pin using local deer horn, a material gifted to me by a student. Utilizing the densest part of the horn, I created a durable and polished pin. 

Fastening the scabbard with flat and domed sterling silver pins was a first for me, introducing precious metals to my work.




Lastly, I sealed and waterproofed the handle, ensuring longevity and durability. While uncommon in knifemaking, this addition was important to ensuring the knife stood the test of time, something I uphold in all my pieces.

This experience has been enriching, blending elements of Bhutan and the Philippines into a knife that I thoroughly enjoyed making. While royal commissions may not be a regular thing for me, I look forward to incorporating this experience into future creations.

PHOTOS BY SHUTTERBUG_BT