Bloomfield, Hazenberg & Bauer Chef Knife Black Mirror Apex SanMai Takedown
This one-of-a-kind handmade kitchen knife represents a collaborative work of craft and intention by artisanal makers Jelle Hazenberg and Korban Bloomfield. Built around a contemporary interpretation of the Japanese santoku, the blade carries a thick, lightly tapered spine that provides strength through the cut while maintaining a fluid, agile forward motion. Forged in Apex Ultra clad in 80CrV2, the blade features a five-layer go-mai construction with Brute de Forge texture, an acid-etched forced patina, and refined mirror-polished details—an aesthetic and functional expression of the makers’ deep understanding of steel and geometry.
The wide convex bevels define the knife’s performance identity, offering excellent food release and a confident, adaptable cutting feel. Neither a featherweight laser nor a heavy workhorse, it occupies a purposeful middle ground that excels across a wide range of produce—from dense root vegetables to more delicate ingredients. With 190 mm of cutting edge, a height of 65 mm, and a spine that transitions from 3.93 mm at the heel to 2.2 mm before transitioning to the fine tip, the knife balances robustness with nimbleness. At 214.9 g, it moves with precision and stability, delivering a cutting experience that feels intuitive and controlled.
The removable hidden-tang handle brings both utility and visual warmth, crafted from dyed and stabilised Quilted Maplewith an acrylic bolster and engineered for take-down maintenance. Complementing the knife is a handcrafted leather sheath by Magdy Richard Bauer, made from Alran Sully goatskin with a waxed interior, Meisi fine linen thread, and meticulously polished edges. Presented in its dedicated display box, this piece stands as a singular fusion of design, material mastery, and artisanal intent—equally at home in a working kitchen or as a centrepiece in a curated collection.
Product Specification
Blade Type: Chef Knife
Overall length: 300mm
Edge Length: 190mm
Spine Heel: 3.93mm
Spine Mid: 3.85mm
Spine Tip (20mm before): 2.2mm
Blade Height: 65mm
Weight: 214.9g
Cutting Edge Steel: Apex Ultra
Stainless: No
HRC: 65
Blade Construction: 5 Layer (Go Mai)
Blade Finish: Brute de Forge, Acid Etched (Forced Patina), and Mirror Polish
Grind: Convex
Handle Construction: Hidden Tang, Take Down
Handle Materials: Quilted Maple
Handedness: Ambidextrous
Saya, Hand Crafted Storage or Display Included: Yes
Shipping & Returns
Shipping
We process orders 5 days a week (Monday - Friday) and ship from our shop in Sydney, Australia. We ship with FedEx, UPS and DHL.
We are happy to offer free international shipping on a variety of orders depending on location and order value. You can check to see where things sit for you below.
Free Shipping Regions and Minimum Order Values
The service provided is at our discretion, but these values have been calculated based on our shipping rates.
For Australia and New Zealand the minimum is $500AUD for the rest of the world it is approximately €1000EUR. The discount is applied automatically when you reach the minimum cart value and will be applied at checkout. It is approximately a 5% discount :)
Returns
At Modern Cooking, we want you to be inspired and delighted by your purchases. However, we understand that sometimes a return is necessary. This policy is in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.
Standard Returns (Change of Mind)
If you're not entirely happy with your purchase, you can return it within 14 days of delivery for a refund. The item must be in its original condition with all original packaging.
To start a return, please log into your customer account and process the request, or send us an email and we'll be happy to assist you. Please note that all returns are subject to our approval.
- Returns are accepted for 14 days.
- The customer is responsible for return shipping costs.
- A 15% restocking fee may be applied to returns for change of mind.
- We do not accept returns on second-hand items for change of mind.
What if my item is faulty or damaged?
In the unlikely event that your order arrives faulty or is damaged in transit, we're here to help. Your purchase is protected by the Australian Consumer Law.
- You must notify us within 5 business days of receiving your order to be eligible for a return or replacement. All of our logistics partners provide insurance, but it's only valid if we are notified within this timeframe. Please inspect your order immediately upon receipt.
- You will need to provide photographic evidence of the damage.
- Once approved, Modern Cooking will cover the costs of return shipping.
After we receive the damaged goods, we will issue a full refund or send a replacement, whichever you prefer.
Why do I have to pay tariffs and duties?
Tariffs and duties are taxes imposed by the destination country's government on imported goods. These charges are not set by our company but are determined by your country's customs agency. The specific amount can vary based on the item's value, type, and the country it's being shipped to.
What happens if I refuse to pay tariffs and duties?
When you place an international order with us, you are responsible for paying any tariffs and duties that your country's customs agency may charge. If you refuse to pay these fees and the package is returned to us, please be aware that we will deduct all shipping costs from your refund, including the original shipping to you and the return shipping back to us. Additionally, a 15% restocking fee may be applied to cover the costs associated with the return and processing of the item.
We strongly encourage you to understand your country's import regulations and be prepared for these potential fees before placing your order. This will help you avoid any unexpected charges and ensure a smooth delivery process.
Product Care:
Cleaning: Clean by hand with warm water. Avoid wetting the handle when possible.
Sharpening: We advise using whetstones to sharpen your knives and a honing rod or steel to maintain the burr between sharpening sessions.
Reactive Steels: Reactive steels like Aogami Super, Apex Ultra or one of the many premium reactive German and Swedish steels are susceptible to rust if not properly cared for. In this case we advise that you keep the knife dry between uses and when storing the knife for longer periods wiping the knife blade with Tsubaki oil or another food safe oil is a wise choice. This will not stop a patina forming on the blade, but it will stop rust. A patina can be a beautiful personal feature on your knife and helps to stop rust forming. So, dry your knife regularly between uses, store in a dry place and apply some Tsubaki oil from time to time when storing for long periods.
A reference guide to steel types
Handle Care: If you have a knife with a non-stabilised wooden handle, you can apply Tsubaki oil or another food safe oil to your handle from time to time. Food safe wax can be applied to both stabilised and no-stabilised wooden handles. Never apply hot wax or oil as you risk warping or damaging the handle.