Le pont Champlain Tsuchime W2 Bunka (2) 180mm (Blade Only)
SPECIFICATIONS
Knife Style: Bunka
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: None ➛ Choose yours
Blade Length: 180mm
Heel Height: Xmm
Weight: Xg
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 using reclaimed steel recovered from the original Champlain Bridge, built in 1962. Once the available material is gone, these knives 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 the 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. Subtle variations in the forging, texture, grind, and reclaimed bridge steel ensure that no two pieces could ever be 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 another run. Every knife completed brings the project one step closer to its end.
This particular piece is Model No. 2, a completely unique profile of which only one blade was ever made.
It takes the form of a Bunka—a versatile Japanese profile celebrated for its remarkable balance between precision and everyday practicality. Its distinctive reverse tanto tip excels at detailed work, while the generous blade height and gently curved edge make it equally comfortable preparing vegetables, proteins, and herbs. Agile, precise, and exceptionally versatile, it is the type of knife many cooks reach for when one blade needs to handle almost everything.
This knife is offered blade-only, allowing its future owner to select a handle from Kakushin’s available inventory and create a final assembly that reflects their own taste. Once a handle has been chosen, the knife will be professionally assembled, balanced, sharpened, and finished at our workshop.
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 are 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.