Blue mammoth and damascus

DEllis

DEllis

Part Time Steel Basher
Joined
Oct 17, 2007
Messages
966
I just completed this one today. I posted it in the "custom and handmade" section, but figured it might fit here as well.

My Damascus, laddered w's of 1084 and 15n20, forged "the hard way"

Blue mammoth scales courtesy of Mark Knapp

Nickel silver liners, bolsters and pinned shield.

Engraving is my own, can't blame anyone else:p

Comments and critique welcome as always.

Darcy:)





 
Hey Darcy, if I can't blame anyone else then I guess you get full credit. Beautiful. It's rare to find someone who's adept at the hard work as well as the art work.
 
The engraving takes it to another level. Fantastic. Question about the scales, am I seeing crevices in material?
 
hskyboy said:
The engraving takes it to another level. Fantastic. Question about the scales, am I seeing crevices in material?
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Not exactly. The material is quite solid under the "bark" Mammoth ivory commonly has surface cracks and discoloration due to mineral absorption over the centuries. That's what gives it such character. It is actually quite a durable material when used properly.

Darcy:)
 
All I can say is.....OHhhhhhhhh!!!!!!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:


Dave

It took me a minute to find it in the other forum. I was hoping it was in the "for sale" forum! :D
 
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A beautiful work of art. Truly amazing amount of attention to detail and quality of work. I particularly like the fact that you signed it in the engraving. Really cool.:D
Thanks, Neal
 
That's beautiful Darcy. The engraving compliments the Damascus I think. And of course I like the ivory!
 
I agree that the engraving is one of the best features. If I were to offer a criticism - it would be the shield. In my opinion, the simple shield looks strange next to the beautiful bolsters. Plus with a handle material as nice as that mammoth, why not skip the shield all together and show it off?

Stunning knife regardless.
 
jprime84 said:
I agree that the engraving is one of the best features. If I were to offer a criticism - it would be the shield. In my opinion, the simple shield looks strange next to the beautiful bolsters. Plus with a handle material as nice as that mammoth, why not skip the shield all together and show it off?

Stunning knife regardless.
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I agree with you, but I do have a good reason for my decision.
The shield will have the customers name engraved on it, I just haven't done it yet;)
I didn't want to post pics of the guys name for the whole world to see.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.

Darcy:)
 
I'm in! Thanks for such a generous giveaway. :D

Good god, that's gorgeous! I'm not usually a fan of engraved bolsters, but it just works on that knife.

I'll agree with jprime in that it would look better with no shield at all. Handles like that don't need the added embellishment of a shield.

Edit: I just saw your post above mine, and in that case I get the shield decision. That will be one heck of a personalized knife!
 
Darcy, that is indeed stunning! A comment, not a criticism of your considerable talents. As my eye sweeps along the length I see too many things going on: first Damascus, then engraving and finally the shield. For me the Dami and engraved patterns clash, and I would consider leaving the latter out next time. (I'd be honored to own that one myself!)
 
Bugdoc said:
Darcy, that is indeed stunning! A comment, not a criticism of your considerable talents. As my eye sweeps along the length I see too many things going on: first Damascus, then engraving and finally the shield. For me the Dami and engraved patterns clash, and I would consider leaving the latter out next time. (I'd be honored to own that one myself!)
Click to expand...
Bugdoc,
Thanks for the comment. I honestly can't see that with this knife, but I have been looking at it for many hours while working on it, so I may be desensitized at this point.

An interesting thought on that topic. There was a time, not too long ago, where I did not like traditional knives with Damascus steel. My tastes have changed since then, so a lot of our preferences to styles and appearances may be acquired taste.

Also, as a wise old Indian once said (long before there were any worries about political correctness mind you) "If everyone like same things, they all want my squaw!":rolleyes::D:foot:

Thanks everyone for commenting.

Darcy
 
There's a whole lot to like about your knife. While not a huge fan of damascus, the pattern is great. The engraving work is exceptional, at least to my eyes, and the mammoth sets it off. I understand the reason for the shield, otherwise I would say a smaller shield, or a different one.

Anyway, beautiful work!
 
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