Le pont Champlain Custom #686 Tsuchime W2 Nakiri 150mm
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Le pont Champlain Custom #686 Tsuchime W2 Nakiri 150mm
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SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Nakiri
Steel Type: Carbon Steel
Blade Material: W2 Core with Pont Champlain Steel & Nickel San-Mai
Blade Finish: Tsuchime
Blade Hardness: 62HRC (+/-1)
Bevel: Double
Handle: Stabilized Wood (#686)
Blade Length: 150mm
Heel Height: 58mm
Weight: 169g
Some steel is simply recycled. This steel became history.
Le Pont Champlain is one of the most limited projects ever released by Kakushin—a collaboration between Québec bladesmiths Noah Vachon and Jérémie Yelle, created from reclaimed steel recovered from the original Champlain Bridge (1962). Once the available material is gone, this knife can never be made again.
For more than 55 years, the Champlain Bridge carried millions of vehicles across the St. Lawrence River and became one of Canada's most recognizable landmarks. Rather than allowing a small portion of that steel to disappear forever, it has been transformed into something designed to outlive generations: a handcrafted kitchen knife meant to be used, cared for, and eventually passed on.
At the heart of every blade is a high-performance W2 carbon steel core, chosen for its exceptional toughness, fine grain structure, and ability to take an incredibly refined edge. It is forge-welded into a striking San-Mai construction using reclaimed steel from the original Champlain Bridge as the outer cladding, separated by pure nickel layers that create a vivid contrast while showcasing the unique character of the historic material. Every blade is individually forged, ground, heat treated, and hand finished in Québec, ensuring no two pieces are ever exactly alike.
Because the supply of original bridge steel is permanently finite, production is permanently limited. There is no warehouse of replacement material waiting for a second run. Every knife completed brings the project one step closer to its end.
This particular piece takes the form of a compact 150 mm Nakiri, designed for those who appreciate precision without sacrificing knuckle clearance. Its nearly 6 cm tall blade offers generous clearance on the cutting board, while the flowing curves and refined profile make it feel far more elegant than the typical boxy Nakiri. Nimble in hand yet incredibly capable, it's the kind of knife you'll instinctively reach for when preparing vegetables, herbs, and countless everyday ingredients.
To complete this one-of-one build, the blade was assembled at Kakushin on one of our favorite handle blanks to ever pass through the shop—Handle #686. Its rich yellow-green figured wood, paired with a deep black ferrule, immediately stood out from the moment it entered our inventory. We knew it deserved a blade with an equally special story. The warmth and chatoyance of the wood create a striking contrast against the historic steel, resulting in a knife that feels both timeless and unmistakably unique.
Built around the cutting philosophy of traditional Japanese kitchen knives, Le Pont Champlain combines refined geometry, exceptional cutting performance, and remarkable balance with a story that simply cannot be recreated.
When these are gone, they're gone forever. Not because we chose to make them exclusive—but because history only leaves behind so much steel.
◻️ Additional Information
Please note that colours, shading, and overall appearance may vary slightly between photos and the product you receive. Lighting, camera exposure, and reflections on materials like steel, epoxy, and wood can all create subtle differences.
Many of our items are handmade, which means each piece has its own character. Minor variations in pattern, texture, or finish are normal and part of the craft.
If you’d like to see additional photos or close-ups of any item, feel free to request them before or after placing your order—especially for one-of-a-kind pieces. We’re always happy to help you choose the perfect knife or handle.
◻️ Sharp Certified
Before our knives are shipped, each one undergoes a rigorous sharpness test to ensure they meet the highest standards of quality. Our BESS Certified sharpness scale will guarantee that your knives deliver the smoothest cuts.
This commitment to sharpness not only guarantees that you receive a product that's ready to perform at its best but also reflects our dedication to delivering excellence in every aspect of our field.
◻️ Shipping & Returns
Every product listed on our website is physically in stock at our shop and typically ships within 24 hours — giving us enough time for sharpening and proper packaging.
The only exceptions are custom knife assemblies or engraving, which may require 3-5 days before shipping. Everything is done in-house, so even with the extra steps, it’s still exceptionally fast.
Canadian orders can say goodbye to unexpected duties, additional customs fees and exchange rate fluctuations; all our prices are clear and upfront.
For international orders, we take care of providing the declarations documents on items from foreign countries.
We know choosing a knife online isn’t always easy. To make things stress-free, we offer a flexible 30-day Return Policy on regular-priced items. Take a look at our full policy for all the details!
◻️ Contact Us
We are at your service through email, social media, or even by phone, where you can have a direct conversation with one of our team members during our business hours.
Whether you require assistance with your existing product, have inquiries about a potential purchase, need more specific details, additional photos, or even a video to get a better sense of the product in a real human hand, we've got you covered.
Don't hesitate to get in touch.