Warenski Lapis Art Dagger

[betzner]

A recently-acquired Warenski dagger, and something of a rarity - from Buster Warenski's later period of blued fittings, an art dagger that has no engraving (I only know of a couple others). Many thanks to Coop for some great imagery here. I myself find it nearly impossible to capture the beauty of blued black, but he's done it wonderfully (of course!).

Conjecture has it (from those who would know) that this lapis-handled dagger was almost certainly made for a buyer who wanted a Warenski but didn't want to pay the high price that a "typical" Warenski dagger would require (circa 1995). This would explain the lack of engraving. But once we handled this piece for awhile, it seemed that the dagger's simple beauty and great attributes (enumerated below) made engraving somewhat extraneous:

1) warmth of the blue, speckled lapis handle and gold rope;

2) depth of color of the hot-blued fittings; and,

3) beautifully sculpted "tulip" guard.

The dagger is a bit under 14" in overall length with 8" blade of 440-C.

[peterinct]

ABSOLUTELY stunning Bob! As much as I love engraving, that knife doesn't need any. That lapis is as good as it gets, and the fluting, gold wire are perfect embellishment.

The blued guard looks great with the gold inlay.

CONGRATS!!

Peter

[Mike Quesenberry]

Breathtaking Simplicity. I never get tired of viewing his daggers. Thanks for showing it Bob.

[Charlie Choil]

Beautiful dagger! Congrats and thanks for the pics.

[sparrow75]

Beautiful.. combination of colors are giving a noble appearance to the knife

[Dawkind]

That's magnificent.....congratulations on another spectacular find.

[JParanee]

Man your knocking um back

Some pieces don't need engraving

Congrats

[JulianHayes]

That is one beautiful dagger sir! love the guards.. Ever since I saw the Warenski Nunchaku set and dagger in one the knife mags last year, I have loved his designs. He accomplishes art knife beauty with simple, but exquisitely tasteful designs and execution. Indeed, no need for engraving on that one, a beauty indeed!

[betzner]

That is one beautiful dagger sir! love the guards.. Ever since I saw the Warenski Nunchaku set and dagger in one the knife mags last year, I have loved his designs. He accomplishes art knife beauty with simple, but exquisitely tasteful designs and execution. Indeed, no need for engraving on that one, a beauty indeed!

Julian, if you wish to learn a bit more about some very representative Warenskis, here's some suggested reading:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/sh...t-Jambiya-quot

[JulianHayes]

Thanks betzner! love the sharing of info here, he did some really amazing art. I am going to have to show these threads to my family members who don't see knives as art, yeah they are crazy. Any of his blades makes it pretty clear! btw, that Khukri with the clamshell guard (I hope I am using the right terms, not really a d guard though) is unlike anything I have seen. Thanks, this is bringing my appreciation of blades to a new level.. again..

[SharpByCoop]

In a past life I was a DJ. I would often get B sides of popular (dance) songs, which were instrumentals; vocals removed.

I learned to understand the music compositions clearer, and liked some of them more than the vocal version. Less is more. We have a direct analogy going on here....

Ask any photographer what's the hardest to capture, and you ought to get the same answer: Blued polished steel. 91 images honed down to these three.

Worth the effort. This is a grail.

Thanks Bob!

Coop

[Joss]

Love the handle, in particular. I'm partial to lapis - really a unique stone.

[David Sharp]

Some pieces don't need engraving

Couldn't agree more; what a beauty!

[B . Buxton]

Very Very Very nice,

Bill

[Marcel54]

Bob, you did really good with this one. I love lapis, it is one of my favourite stones and that blued steel is great looking too.

Marcel

[Salem Straub]

Super elegant. It's now one of my favorite Warenskis, and I'm glad it didn't get engraved.

[Kohai999]

Superb, Bob.

You have been getting some supremely fine blades lately, to embellish upon an already fine collection of blades.

You deserve this.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

[The Virginian]

Coop's images really punched it up to show how nice this knife is. The pics they had at the Arizona site when they were selling it really did not flatter it IMO. They seemed out of focus. And that white background . . .

The blued fittings really make a nice contrast with the lapis lazuli.

Good eye and a nice acquisition - especially if you got it at that price, or even less.

[betzner]

Superb, Bob.

You have been getting some supremely fine blades lately, to embellish upon an already fine collection of blades.

You deserve this.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

Hey there, STeven,

This one was just pure luck. As alluded to above by someone, I found it just as it listed on a website that I almost never visit. Absolute serendipity. But I'll take ones like this any way they come at me. Same thing happened with a Loveless Archer chute I recently acquired. In the right place at the right time. I'll take luck over brains any day!

Best,

Bob

[ddd]

Bob, what a classic! What an amazing classic art knife by the best!
And what an experience it must be to hold in the hand!

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)