African cultures have a rich history that predates much of what we know of today as “western civilization” and their contributions therein to technology and craftsmanship can’t be understated. As such, the folks at Ghetto Gastro seek to pay homage to said tech and craftsmanship with their African-inspired OGÛN chef knife.
Crafted in collaboration with Japanese brands Sakai Takayuki and Yanagi Knife, the project was directly influenced by the life of Yasuke, the first-recorded samurai of African descent, and marries African inspiration and traditional Japanese knifemaking. It’s marked by a hammer-finished blade crafted from Aogami Super steel — featuring an increase in tungsten, carbon, and chromium elements and functioning as the “culmination of the Hitachi carbon tool steel line” — and an octagonal Hon-ebony handle boasting touches of nickel silver and buffalo horn. For $497, this spectacular and history-rich blade could be yours — and it might very well be the last chef knife you ever buy.
