Description
Five inches of mirror-polished stainless with a long swedge along the spine, set into a crimson stabilized burl handle with no bolster and no guard.
| Overall length | 10.1 inches |
| Blade length | 5.1 inches |
| Handle length | 5 inches |
| Handle | Crimson stabilized burl wood |
| Steel | Stainless steel |
| Hardness | 58–60 HRC, oil tempered |
| Weight | 8.1 oz |
| Included | Hand-stitched leather sheath |
Chosen by: people buying with their eyes. The Red Cardinal is a display knife that happens to be a competent cutter, and the colour is the reason most of them sell.
Reading the blade
The profile is a long clip with a swedge ground down the top edge, which thins the forward section and drops the point low. That makes it very good at piercing and at long slicing cuts, and it means the tip is thinner than a drop point’s and correspondingly easier to break if you lever with it. The deep hollow grind through the middle of the blade keeps the edge thin behind the bevel, which cuts beautifully and dulls a little sooner in hard use. Blade geometry is covered properly in blade shapes explained.
No guard, and what that means
There is no finger guard between the handle and the edge. The handle swells and then narrows to a shallow choil, which is enough for controlled cutting but is not enough for a hard thrust with wet hands. If you want a knife for stabbing work or for anything where your grip might slip forward, this is the wrong pattern. For slicing, skinning and camp use it is fine and the uninterrupted profile is more comfortable in the palm than a guarded knife.
Dyed stabilized burl
The scarlet colour goes right through the wood. Burl is soaked in dyed resin under vacuum, which fills the voids in the figure and locks the colour in, so it will not fade the way a surface stain does and it will not swell in damp weather. It sands and polishes rather than dents. Direct sun over years will lighten any dye eventually, so a display case beats a sunny windowsill.
Care: the blade is stainless, which means there is no oiling routine and no rust watch. Wipe it dry, and use a microfibre cloth on the polish because paper towel leaves fine scratches on a mirror surface. At 8.1 oz and 10.1 inches it is too long for a drawer; hang it or box it. Sensible storage is covered in storing knives properly.
Questions we hear
Does the red rub off? No. The dye is through the resin, not painted on the surface.
Is the sheath belt-mounted? Yes, black leather with a contrasting inlay panel and a belt loop.
What is the Damascus equivalent? The Damascus bowie with turquoise covers similar ground in patterned steel.
Model: BMK-857
Megan R. (verified owner) –
“I bought a steel knife from this shop for my son who’s a culinary student, and he couldn’t be happier with it. He says it’s a versatile tool that has improved his knife skills.”
Richard H. (verified owner) –
“I’ve been collecting knives for years, and this steel knife is now the jewel of my collection. The craftsmanship and attention to detail are outstanding. It’s truly a work of art.”
Lauren M. (verified owner) –
“I received a steel knife as a gift from this store, and I’m amazed at how it’s transformed my cooking. It’s sharp, durable, and has made chopping and slicing a breeze.”
Anthony C. (verified owner) –
“I purchased a steel knife from this shop, and it’s become an indispensable tool in my kitchen. The blade is razor-sharp, and it feels well-balanced. I’m extremely satisfied with my purchase.”
Rachel B. (verified owner) –
“The steel knife I bought here has become my go-to knife for everything. It’s sharp, easy to clean, and has held up exceptionally well. I’m impressed with the quality.”
Kevin T. (verified owner) –
“As a culinary enthusiast, I appreciate a good knife, and the steel knife I received from this store is exceptional. It’s a precision tool that has elevated my cooking game.”