Book #4 goes to print!

ddd

ddd

Joined
Apr 6, 2003
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The fourth and last book in my series on modern custom knives
was sent out last week to the printing house.
This is "Modern Custom Knives - The Great Collections".

There is no doubt about the fact that this fourth volume, exhibiting
highlights of some of the major western modern custom knife
collections, is first and foremost a tribute to the collectors themselves.
It is mainly because of their relentless promoting of this art and the
people that create it, that custom knifemaking has reached the level
where it is today.

The attached is the last knife that got into the book, finished only
2 weeks ago, after 4 years in the making!

With this magnificent piece I completed the last page (288 pages in all)
of the book and shipped the two DVDs with files for print and a sample
color proof to the printing house in Korea.

"Golden Heart" was made by Dellana and Van Barnett for Gerald Hopkin
of Barbados.

This majestic piece was commissioned by Gerald Hopkin after its
concept drawing was presented to him. It then became a collaboration
between Van Barnett, Dellana, and Gerald Hopkin, that would become a
Scepter along with its stand and accoutrements, designed to be an
artistic interpretation of the Royal Scepter and Regalia. "Golden Heart"
was born as a vision of what could be done with a knife to make it more
than just an art knife, but to try and separate the two so as to be
accepted both as a form of art and a knife, depending only on how one
views it.
"Golden Heart" is the first in a new collaborative series between Van
Barnett & Dellana. These knives will be called the "Majesty" series, with
strong emphasis on art, beauty and illusion. These collaborative efforts
are created under the name "VALANI" TM, combining the names of both
artists.
Four years in the making, this Scepter (symbol of imperial authority)
has an 18" (457 mm) solid 14k yellow spring gold blade, with diamonds
and rubies. Sheath and handle are constructed of oxidized, textured
sterling silver tubing and solid 14k yellow gold set with diamonds,
facetted rubies, cabochon rubies and hand engraving. Altogether there
are 786 Rubies (53.2 carats) and over 855 diamonds (20.35 carats),
2.69 pounds (1.22 kg) of sterling silver, 4.173 pounds (1.892 kg) of 14k
yellow gold. Overall sheathed length 26 1/2" (673 mm).

Just imagine..........

The book will be introduced to the public at the June BLADE Show
in Atlanta and most (hopefully - all) the collectores featured in it
will be visiting the show and will gladly sign copies of the book........

All the best,
David (ddd)

picture.JPG
 
Congrats! Sounds like a beautiful piece but the pic is not showing. Feel free to e-mail the photo to me and I'll host it for you.
 
Thanks, Jose. The picture appears on my browser. Maybe I posted
it too large? It is such an amazing knife that I maybe got carried away
and couldn't display a small picture. I replaced it now. Is this version
okay?

Thanks again,
David (ddd)
 
That is pretty amazing!!!!!!!!:)

I have a couple of your books and when I show them to people who do not know about knife artistry they simply cant believe it!
 
I'm looking forward to the book. I really don't find this knife appealing at all, but the technical skill of the makers (and of the photographer ;) ) commands much respect.
 
Can't wait David. I find myself looking through the others over and over again.
When will the latest be ready to ship?
 
My ignorance is showing. I wasn't even aware of this set of books.

I shall surely pick up the set. With a little luck, I can make it to Blade...and get the final volume signed!
 
Wow, just beautiful... Something everyone involved in should be very proud of, including the owner!
 
The book will be introduced to the public at the Atlanta BLADE Show
in June 2007. and preorders will begin shipping at about that time too.

In the 288 pages of this book I am exhibiting over 650 one-of-a-kind
knives, the highlights from some of the major custom knife collections
in Europe and the USA.

While at it, I think that one page in the display of higlights from the
collection of Dr. Pierluigi Peroni (Italy), dedicated to the beautiful
Integrals of a relative newcomer to the world of custom knife making,
Emmanuel Esposito, of Italy, would be interesting for everyone to see.

From time to time I shall post "teaser" pages from the book
as many of them display knives that have never been viewed by
the public.... Hoping you guys will enjoy seeing some of these
beautiful pieces.

David Darom (ddd)

picture.JPG
 
Thanks David, for all you have done to promote Handmade Custom knives. Each and every page will be filled with over-the-top collections and styles. I might find a whole set of pages or a single piece I don't care for, but one page further, will be knives I might idolize.

Van, Dellana, and their collector who commissioned that are immensely proud of what was achieved. This Scepter is in such another league that it is difficult to relate to. Time to open my (our?) horizons.

How possibly can another book top the previous ones??! Somehow I believe it so.

Thanks.

Coop
 
David, forgive me for my ignorant question....others, can feel free to answer if you know.

I have not had the privelidge of seeing any of your books, but I intend to check into purchasing them this week.

I noticed that your location says Jerusalem, Israel. I am just curious how you have managed to create these books and gather your photographs if that is where you live?

Frequent business trips to the US knife shows?
 
enoreeriver said:
....others, can feel free to answer if you know.

I noticed that your location says Jerusalem, Israel. I am just curious how you have managed to create these books and gather your photographs if that is where you live?
Click to expand...
I have had a large part of helping David realize his goals on his previous books. Myself, Eric Eggley from Point Seven, Francesco Pachi, and many others all contributed. David does not shoot his own images, but he locates the best photographers he can find. ;)

David has broadband and will accept individual hi-res images from his cadre of photographers all around the world. Sending a CD or DVD has also been part of this. David processes all the images in his style and does an incredible job.

If you have not seen any of the DDD Custom Fixed Blade Knives or Custom Folding Knives series, you are going to be... BLOWN AWAY!

Coop
 
True, Coop, I myself am "blown away" nearly every day when I realise
what I have achieved in 5 years.....

Thinking back to the hot night in August 2001, when this pretentious
project was conceived, usually brings forth a strange mixture of
emotions. All I actually wanted and dreamed for was to have a series of
quality books, that between their covers would encompass the various
aspects of the art of modern custom knives. I wanted books that had
many quality illustrations but also comprehensive background texts,
detailed descriptions of all the knives and an insight into the "behind
the scenes" of custom knifemaking. For many years I purchased almost
every book published in English dealing with custom knives, but never
found anything remotely like what I really wanted to have.

Eventually, as nobody else met the challenge, and digital photography
and global communications reached the required quality, I decided to
pick up the glove and do something about my dream. It was time to
contact some of the prominent custom knifemakers around the world
and plunge into the adventure of a lifetime.

I always wonder how I could have even imagined that a series of books
of this magnitude could be dealt with and completed in one's lifetime.
Not only that, but completed while sitting at home with my Macintosh
and a telephone. That is one thought that often goes through my mind
after which I immediately turn to the bookshelf and check to make sure
that all this did actually happen. Then, as usual, I end up with a sweet
feeling of accomplishment, the joy of having these four* books on a shelf,
in my study, and knowing that many thousands are also enjoying them
all over the world, just as I do.

Four books, five years, and why do I have a feeling that this is just
the beginning...

* I have one digitally printed (Indigo) color proof of book #4.....

David (ddd)
 
This will be my 4th book of David's and I can not wait since I am still enjoying the first three.

I was also thrilled to spend some time with David last year at Blade where he signed the copies I have. He, the makers and photographers have given us great gifts that will endure for many years. Each comes across to me as a labor of great love. After talking and spending time with David, I know that to be the case.

As far as the Van Dellana Collaboration. WOW. I would not mind having it in my collection at all, but I am quite prejudice due to a long friendship with both of them. I am thrilled just to be able to see a picture of it. :D.

Gus
 
Hello Gus,

Speaking of Dellana, here is another page from book #4 featuring two
of Dellana's folders and a matching pendant made for the collector's
wife.......

Hope to see you again at the BLADE Show,

David

picture.JPG
 
David - whatever I might think of the knife selection (not enough Don Fogg!!! :D ), I salute you for your leadership in producing those books. Needless to say, they are of the highest quality.
 
Actually, Joss, It was the collectors one can blame this time... :)

They chose the best of their best to display on 10 page sections or
18 page sections...... Since their tastes are different I am sure it will
be an enjoyable high-class exhibition for everyone......

David (ddd)
 
I'm almost embarrassed to admit I don't have these books yet, although I've meant to buy them a couple of times at shows. I really find it interesting that's it's the collectors who decide what photos will be used, I thought it would be you and the makers/photographers. Don Fogg takes good pictures of his knives before sale, and even if other people now own the blades <Okay, maybe just Joss! :p >, wouldn't it be okay to use those in the book? Would Don have to submit those to you or would Joss have to send them to one of the photographers you work with in order to have them included in one of your books?
 
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