{"title":"James Oatley","description":"\u003cp\u003eJames Oatley first encountered serious knives as a child, through his grandfather, a World War II veteran who owned a Japanese katana. The interest stayed dormant for years, until a culinary knife by Takeshi Saji rekindled it and eventually drew him to the forge. He now works from St Leonards in Sydney, and Oatley Knives has become one of the most recognised contemporary names in artisan kitchen cutlery. He is widely regarded by peers as a reference point for what is possible in the form, both for his prolific output and for the consistency of his design language.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis knives blend modern aesthetics with traditional forging techniques, producing geometries that are notably thin and profiles that read as iconic almost immediately. Oatley uses stabilised hardwoods for many handles, accented with copper, brass and high-grade synthetics in combinations that feel composed rather than busy. The processes behind the blades are among the more innovative in contemporary bladesmithing, but the goal is always performance: cleanly resolved cutting feel, controlled food release, and an edge that holds its line under sustained use. Fit and finish are uncompromising and unmistakably his.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat sets Oatley Knives apart is the discipline behind the apparent ease. Every contour is finely judged, every transition cleanly worked, and the resulting knives feel inevitable rather than designed. For Modern Cooking, James Oatley represents the contemporary peak of Australian bladesmithing: a maker whose work has shaped the conversation around what an heirloom-quality modern kitchen knife can be. His blades are immediately legible as Oatley Knives, and they reward both the design-conscious eye and the cook who cares first about how a knife moves.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gyuto-200mm-stainless-clad-vtoku2","title":"Gyuto 200mm Go Mai","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe knife presents in a beautiful Ash cluster burl handle and saya. Drawing back the saya reveals a classic Oatley Gyuto with a Vtoku 2 core clad in stainless steel. It’s a Go Mai construction, with a nickel diffusion layer separating the HRC 63 Vtoku core from the outer stainless jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJames has forged it thin, it’s probable the thinnest Go Mai we have come across, what’s incredible is that it also features an S grind geometry. The sheer skill required to grind this kind of geometry on such a thin, multilayer, piece of steel boggles the mind. James does it completely free hand too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe profile is a classic Oatley design, it features and very low radius edge. It’s perfect for push cuts and moves through material effortlessly. Every angle feels considered and thoughtfully implemented to make the knife comfortable to hold and operate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Ash cluster burl handle is removable for maintenance and cleaning. A simple friction fit brass pin holds the handle in place. It’s a salute to the Japanese sword making traditions that James is inspired by and a design feature that anyone experienced in whetstone sharpening will appreciate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAn incredible piece of craftsmanship with a beautifully thin and sharp edge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oatley Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43685440520457,"sku":"MC-107-809","price":3418.81,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/7273\/5626\/products\/Gyuto210mmStainlesscladVtoku2-11.jpg?v=1754645260"},{"product_id":"james-oatley-knives-gyuto-220mm-vtoku2-mokume-copper-brass-stainless","title":"Gyuto 220mm Vtoku2 Mokume Copper, Brass \u0026 Stainless","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Vtoku2 core is clad in a stunning mokume copper, brass, and stainless-steel cladding, which is becoming a popular choice for James Oatley and it’s easy to see why. He treats it with a beautiful array of textures and finishes that provide contrast and highlight the subtle details in the steel. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerformance wise, this is James’s classic Gyuto profile. At the edge the profile is relatively flat, and the handle is angled upwards giving the knife a lovely ergonomic feel that is perfect for a push cut action. The unique santoku tipped profile has just enough point for pushing in on onions and other produce while setting up for a dice and gives the knife a fantastic stable feeling on the board. A razor-sharp edge and S grind geometry means this blade simply glides through produce effortlessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle is made of a beautiful purple dyed maple and fitted with a copper bolster it’s a stunning combination. The way James finishes the mokume clad vtoku2 steel is reminiscent of a still ocean at sunset. Orange and yellow hues reflecting off the ripples in the water gradually drifting to black. A unique and beautiful piece of performance kitchenware.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Oatley Knives","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43734053454089,"sku":"MC-107-810","price":3418.81,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/7273\/5626\/products\/Gyuto220mmVtoku2Mokumecopper_brassandstainless-63.jpg?v=1754644913"}],"url":"https:\/\/moderncooking.com\/en-sg\/collections\/james-oatley.oembed","provider":"moderncooking.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}