This one-of-a-kind Ancient Rata BBQ carver captures the dramatic geological story of Mount Taranaki and the resilient beauty of New Zealand's native forests.
Benjamin hand-forged the blade from layered 1084 and 15N20 Damascus carbon steel, delivering pattern contrast alongside edge retention, toughness, and sharpness for precise carving and BBQ tasks.
The handle is shaped from Northern rata wood—unearthed from beneath Mount Taranaki's ash deposits, preserved as an ancient relic by the volcano's fiery history. Taranaki has erupted repeatedly over centuries, burying lowland and mid-slope forests under ash falls, pyroclastic flows, and debris avalanches. The most significant recent event was the AD 1655 Burrell Lapilli eruption—a powerful blast that blanketed vast areas with lapilli and ash—followed by smaller ash events around AD 1755. These cataclysmic forces repeatedly entombed woodlands, encasing organic material like this rata timber in protective layers that shielded it from decay for hundreds of years.
The bolster is crafted from wagon wheel wrought iron salvaged from the historic Opaki Race Course, adding regional colonial character. A stainless steel pin secures the construction, and the piece includes a custom display stand from Wairarapa totara farm fence post—salvaged from our rural history.
This Ancient Rata BBQ Carver is more than a kitchen tool—it's a heritage artifact forged from volcanic-preserved rata, salvaged iron, and Benjamin's anvil: rooted in the land's deep history, built to endure, and ready for the grill.
Year: 2025
Artist: Benjamin Madden
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If you would like to purchase this piece but live outside of New Zealand or Australia, please contact us directly to discuss your international shipping options. Thank you!