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Believe it or not, car and truck leaf springs make great knife blades! These discarded automotive parts are a very good source of knife steel as they are usually made from 5160 carbon steel. Many highly regarded custom knife makers use this steel source to great effect for their highly desirable custom creations.
A young barefoot bladesmith we discovered working in Vietnam uses this interesting source to make some very funky and fun blades for us. And our customers are full of praise for many of their attributes. But let’s get this out of the way—one of these attributes is not fit and finish! They are rough and ready with an emphasis on rough. These are basic blades that will make a great project knife for budding sharpeners or new chefs looking for something to play with. But while the F & F leaves room for improvement the actual grinds of these budget blades are rather special. These knives are sharp and they will cut! Some of them might need a touch on your favorite stone, but a few passes and you will have a razor of a knife on your hands.
The profile of this tall petty is as rounded as we've seen, so it will resonate with the rockers out there. It is a monster at chopping herbs and other small ingredients. Like the blade, the handle is not the best in the industry but with a bit of sanding and maybe some varnish and you will have a grip that is easy and secure in your hands.
So if you seek a fun project knife or a cheap and cheerful small ingredient chopper, the Daovua might just be all you need. Plus you get to tell a great story about it and its makers!Brand: Daovua
Blacksmith: Nhat Family
Location: Vietnam
Construction: Hammer Forged, Mono Steel
Steel Type: Recycled Leaf Spring Steel
Handle: Bubinga
Edge Grind: Even, Double Bevel
Weight: 2.9 oz/ 82g
Blade Length: 126mm
Spine Thickness at Heel: 2.0mm
Blade Height at Heel: 41.1mm
A young barefoot bladesmith we discovered working in Vietnam uses this interesting source to make some very funky and fun blades for us. And our customers are full of praise for many of their attributes. But let’s get this out of the way—one of these attributes is not fit and finish! They are rough and ready with an emphasis on rough. These are basic blades that will make a great project knife for budding sharpeners or new chefs looking for something to play with. But while the F & F leaves room for improvement the actual grinds of these budget blades are rather special. These knives are sharp and they will cut! Some of them might need a touch on your favorite stone, but a few passes and you will have a razor of a knife on your hands.
The profile of this tall petty is as rounded as we've seen, so it will resonate with the rockers out there. It is a monster at chopping herbs and other small ingredients. Like the blade, the handle is not the best in the industry but with a bit of sanding and maybe some varnish and you will have a grip that is easy and secure in your hands.
So if you seek a fun project knife or a cheap and cheerful small ingredient chopper, the Daovua might just be all you need. Plus you get to tell a great story about it and its makers!
Reviews
22 review(s) WRITE A REVIEW (Reviews are subject to approval) So nice but so dullPosted By: Ken.M
I give this knife 5 stars because it’s absolutely beautiful. Has the looks of a $200-300 knife but my god it’s so dull.
I’m so perplexed why this knife isn’t ootb sharp. But it’s a minor complaint and a good honing will do the trick. Small amount of surface rust was also present when I received this but easily taken out by a green scrubber.
Overall I love it, once it’s sharp…
I give this knife 5 stars because it’s absolutely beautiful. Has the looks of a $200-300 knife but my god it’s so dull.
I’m so perplexed why this knife isn’t ootb sharp. But it’s a minor complaint and a good honing will do the trick. Small amount of surface rust was also present when I received this but easily taken out by a green scrubber.
Overall I love it, once it’s sharp…
Cool Knife Posted By: Vince P. - verified customer
1 people found this review helpful
Very interesting knife, has many uses in the kitchen, It's neat that it's upcycled from old auto parts, It has great cool factor and and usually garners attention from others who see it, I like the fit & finish, I plan to get more of this line.
1 people found this review helpful
Very interesting knife, has many uses in the kitchen, It's neat that it's upcycled from old auto parts, It has great cool factor and and usually garners attention from others who see it, I like the fit & finish, I plan to get more of this line.
Great knife
The spirit of the forgePosted By: Matt Freeman
Just got it and I'm very pleased. Fit and finish better than its reputation—spine and choil smooth, as is the attractive wa handle. Mostly paper-cutting sharp but the tip and heel can use a touch-up which is easily done. Rustic finish, which I love. Very light! I anticipate picking this little budget gem up often for salad or soup ingredients, cutting mushrooms or onions, a million petty-style tasks. One star withheld only for its modesty, because the value is off the charts. If you appreciate wabi-sabi imperfection and the charm of the handmade tool, you'll love this knife.
Just got it and I'm very pleased. Fit and finish better than its reputation—spine and choil smooth, as is the attractive wa handle. Mostly paper-cutting sharp but the tip and heel can use a touch-up which is easily done. Rustic finish, which I love. Very light! I anticipate picking this little budget gem up often for salad or soup ingredients, cutting mushrooms or onions, a million petty-style tasks. One star withheld only for its modesty, because the value is off the charts. If you appreciate wabi-sabi imperfection and the charm of the handmade tool, you'll love this knife.
Useful Posted By: Robert M - verified customer
Bigger caters have a lot of moving parts, moving quickly, and despite best intentions little petties and parers sometimes go missing, or turn up in the bottom of a bin a couple days later needing some attention. Always looking for cheap useful little blades that it won't kill me if something goes wrong. This is nice and tall, stands out as ‘yours' in a pile, and cuts better than acceptably, for $40. Fills the bill
Bigger caters have a lot of moving parts, moving quickly, and despite best intentions little petties and parers sometimes go missing, or turn up in the bottom of a bin a couple days later needing some attention. Always looking for cheap useful little blades that it won't kill me if something goes wrong. This is nice and tall, stands out as ‘yours' in a pile, and cuts better than acceptably, for $40. Fills the bill
Nicer than I expected.Posted By: Andrew - verified customer
This fits my niche perfectly. My hands are too big for most paring knives or even pettys. I use this for up in the air work. As a slicer, it's good for back slicing, but I will probably want to reprofile it at some point, because it doesn't work for rocking. My intention was to make this a project knife out of the box, but it's good enough that I'm not going to do any work on it until the necessity arises. The handle was surprisingly nice. I expected to just trash it, but I hit it with some cutting board wax and now I don't want to see it go. And the rough finish on the blade extends way down into the bevel, which is really good for fall-away. It's not very hard, so be ready to put effort into keeping it sharp.
This fits my niche perfectly. My hands are too big for most paring knives or even pettys. I use this for up in the air work. As a slicer, it's good for back slicing, but I will probably want to reprofile it at some point, because it doesn't work for rocking. My intention was to make this a project knife out of the box, but it's good enough that I'm not going to do any work on it until the necessity arises. The handle was surprisingly nice. I expected to just trash it, but I hit it with some cutting board wax and now I don't want to see it go. And the rough finish on the blade extends way down into the bevel, which is really good for fall-away. It's not very hard, so be ready to put effort into keeping it sharp.
Fun Little Knife Awesome knife!! Nimble, light weightPosted By: Michael - verified customer
Very thin and light weight. Takes a nice edge with a little time on the stones, although not very sharp out of the box. Rustic fit and finish but really not bad at all given the price point. No unfinished or poorly finished points anywhere on the blade or handle. Overall, quite a nice little knife, especially for the price.
Very thin and light weight. Takes a nice edge with a little time on the stones, although not very sharp out of the box. Rustic fit and finish but really not bad at all given the price point. No unfinished or poorly finished points anywhere on the blade or handle. Overall, quite a nice little knife, especially for the price.
Fantastic knifePosted By: Adam Spivey
Love the height and belly on this knife. Great for herbs and other small kitchen tasks. Very easy to sharpen and get razor sharp, though it doesn't hold an edge as long as other knives. Love the handle and rustic feel of the knife as a whole. Best bang for your buck and awesome if you are learning to sharpen on whetstones. Will definitely buy another when they are back in stock.
Love the height and belly on this knife. Great for herbs and other small kitchen tasks. Very easy to sharpen and get razor sharp, though it doesn't hold an edge as long as other knives. Love the handle and rustic feel of the knife as a whole. Best bang for your buck and awesome if you are learning to sharpen on whetstones. Will definitely buy another when they are back in stock.
DaovuaPosted By: J - verified customer
These knives are some of my new favorites. It's hard to find a tall petty and the knife has a great feel. Quick touch up with 6k stone and edge is razor sharp and easy to maintain. Anybody in my kitchen that uses one of these knives instantly want one
These knives are some of my new favorites. It's hard to find a tall petty and the knife has a great feel. Quick touch up with 6k stone and edge is razor sharp and easy to maintain. Anybody in my kitchen that uses one of these knives instantly want one
Bangin knife! Awesome Great little knife Fun little knifePosted By: Zackary - verified customer
I am very pleased with this petty! The height makes it feel almost like a very small gyuto. Great for rocking. OOB sharpness was unimpressive, but took a fine edge quickly. The point and heal were considerably fatter than the rest of the cutting edge, so I had to use my coarse stones to bring it up to the rest. Handle is beautiful, though the finish is marred in several places. Tasteful maker's mark and lovely kurouchi, though there is one place along the spine on the tip where it didn't take.
Overall very happy with my purchase. Great for folks who are learning to hone high carbon steel
I am very pleased with this petty! The height makes it feel almost like a very small gyuto. Great for rocking. OOB sharpness was unimpressive, but took a fine edge quickly. The point and heal were considerably fatter than the rest of the cutting edge, so I had to use my coarse stones to bring it up to the rest. Handle is beautiful, though the finish is marred in several places. Tasteful maker's mark and lovely kurouchi, though there is one place along the spine on the tip where it didn't take.
Overall very happy with my purchase. Great for folks who are learning to hone high carbon steel
Great Little Knife!Posted By: Michael N. - verified customer
Love the shape and size of this knife! I've used it for just about everything: chopping onions, herbs, breaking down chickens. It can handle anything that doesn't require more blade length. It takes a good edge and is a great introductory knife for someone wanting to work with carbon steel.
Love the shape and size of this knife! I've used it for just about everything: chopping onions, herbs, breaking down chickens. It can handle anything that doesn't require more blade length. It takes a good edge and is a great introductory knife for someone wanting to work with carbon steel.
Great findPosted By: Mason - verified customer
I like this knife and purchased it mainly for the story and I also collect knives. I use it some professionally and it performs well. The price was a big factor in the 5 star rating. At the current price, with the unique story and being and interesting knife all combine for a high rating.
I like this knife and purchased it mainly for the story and I also collect knives. I use it some professionally and it performs well. The price was a big factor in the 5 star rating. At the current price, with the unique story and being and interesting knife all combine for a high rating.
Food release WOWPosted By: Brent
I livethisl little knife. It has food release matching a Takeda. ItsI not very reactive and develops a nice patina. The handle is skinny but well put together. It is a rough finish on it but I think it gives character. I appreciate recycling of old steel to make something new. .
I livethisl little knife. It has food release matching a Takeda. ItsI not very reactive and develops a nice patina. The handle is skinny but well put together. It is a rough finish on it but I think it gives character. I appreciate recycling of old steel to make something new. .
Excellent Knife Posted By: Tom Dickinson
I purchased this knife and I used it during my International Cuisine class that I teach and it works like a charm. Everyone thought the knife was beautiful. the handle on these blades in gorgeous. Whatever people used to say about knives from this brand they have definitely improved on their craftsmanship. Very nicely done. Liked it so much, I recommended a 210mm gyuto for one of my culinary students to purchase for starting out his career.
I purchased this knife and I used it during my International Cuisine class that I teach and it works like a charm. Everyone thought the knife was beautiful. the handle on these blades in gorgeous. Whatever people used to say about knives from this brand they have definitely improved on their craftsmanship. Very nicely done. Liked it so much, I recommended a 210mm gyuto for one of my culinary students to purchase for starting out his career.
Highly recommended Posted By: Ryan B
My co workers call it a prison knife. If you can get past the rustic charm of this knife what's left is an affordable carbon petty that takes a stupid sharp edge and just holds it forever. If your looking for a do it all petty I highly recommend this daovua
My co workers call it a prison knife. If you can get past the rustic charm of this knife what's left is an affordable carbon petty that takes a stupid sharp edge and just holds it forever. If your looking for a do it all petty I highly recommend this daovua
Not the grind I expectedPosted By: Aaron Lish
First off, I knew this would be a rustic knife that would likely require some work. And the handle ended up being nicer than I expected. However, I was surprised to find that the grind is like that on an inexpensive Chinese cleaver - a small radius hollow grind with a "lip" at the top of the grind that steps up to the blade face (not clean and smooth like the photo). Yes, the grind is very thin, but to remove the lip so it doesn't hang up on product will require significant metal removal. I took it to the belt and removed a bit (one side smoothed out pretty easily), but to smooth out the other side would have resulted in loss of edge because of how thin the blade is. I bought the knife for its height, so didn't want to lose that height to completely eliminate the ridge that runs along the top of the grind. Will see how I feel about it after a few days of prep before removing any more metal. All that said, it took a screaming sharp edge with no effort whatsoever (like Japanese white steel). If this had a better grind it would be an excellent choice for a short, quick knife great for a range of prep duties. But based on the one I received, three stars is being generous (only gave it that because of how nice the handle is).
First off, I knew this would be a rustic knife that would likely require some work. And the handle ended up being nicer than I expected. However, I was surprised to find that the grind is like that on an inexpensive Chinese cleaver - a small radius hollow grind with a "lip" at the top of the grind that steps up to the blade face (not clean and smooth like the photo). Yes, the grind is very thin, but to remove the lip so it doesn't hang up on product will require significant metal removal. I took it to the belt and removed a bit (one side smoothed out pretty easily), but to smooth out the other side would have resulted in loss of edge because of how thin the blade is. I bought the knife for its height, so didn't want to lose that height to completely eliminate the ridge that runs along the top of the grind. Will see how I feel about it after a few days of prep before removing any more metal. All that said, it took a screaming sharp edge with no effort whatsoever (like Japanese white steel). If this had a better grind it would be an excellent choice for a short, quick knife great for a range of prep duties. But based on the one I received, three stars is being generous (only gave it that because of how nice the handle is).
