Cigar anyone?

Mark Knapp

Mark Knapp

Joined
Dec 20, 2009
Messages
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I just got these pictures back and couldn't wait to show them.
This is my second in a series of innerframe slip-joint folders I'm making in this cigar pattern. Maybe you can tell I'm a little excited about them.

This one has a frame of mokume gane and scales of pietersite (a mineral). Bill Burke made the shark tooth damascus.

Blade length 2 5/8
Overall length 6

Knapp_140204-web_zpsb3eb0efa.jpg


Part of the reason I'm making a series of knives that are in most respects the same knife with different materials is because I want to explore how textures and colors interact or complement each other. Complementary colors is something I have been playing with in knife making since art school some years ago.
I posted the meteorite folder a couple of weeks ago, if you will bear with me, I will post it again to illustrate a little of what I am talking about.

Knapp_140121-web_zpsb258a777.jpg


To me, the colors in the frame and scales of each knife complement each other, if you switched the scales from the meteorite knife with the scales in the mokume knife it subdues the colors of each. I physically switched them when I had them in the shop, the owner of the mokume knife was visiting, he said "it kills it"
I can't help mention that the use of complementary colors are not lost on Coop.

Some knife enthusiasts try to stay away from materials that tarnish, in this case, I chose mokume because it does tarnish, as it tarnishes the colors get richer. It will take some maintenance over time but some people like that, like waxing your sports car.

Please share your insights.
Courteous negative comments welcomed.

Thanks for looking
 
Very classy folders.
Beautiful work Mark!
I would bet some tapioca walrus would look good in one.
That is if you could get your hands on any.
 
Burl Source said:
Very classy folders.
Beautiful work Mark!
I would bet some tapioca walrus would look good in one.
That is if you could get your hands on any.
Click to expand...

I've got some special blue tapioca around here somewhere, I'll have to see if I can find it. Good idea.
 
Mark, I think you are headed the right direction. I really like the mokume one. The cigar pattern is a great one. I look forward to seeing one in person.
Gary
 
gthouse said:
Mark, I think you are headed the right direction. I really like the mokume one. The cigar pattern is a great one. I look forward to seeing one in person.
Gary
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Hi Gary, How you doing? Thanks for the props. I'm going to try and have some made up for Blade, show them to you there. Take care.
 
Mark, the impressive things which appealed to me were:

a. The deceptively simple and symmetrical shape.
b. The proud inlays with the slightly beveled edges.

Already you have a renowned style, all your own. Outstanding!

I often experiment with colors which are different and yet contrast and/or compliment one another. I'm lucky to have such a library of choices and choosing the 'correct' (there are MANY correct backgrounds for any given image) is my challenge. I only wish I had your artistic eye to help me, too. In these cases we both liked the outcome.

Yes, by all means the accent of the blue in the pietersite handle sends it off the charts, and the stark Pallasite meteorite inlay on your first folder is pronounced loudly through the muted steel.

Wonderful. Thanks for sending these. I loved them.

Jim
 
I like them both a lot and I am not a traditional folder type of guy. I might Like the top one a little bit more, but I wouldn't kick either of them out of my pocket!
 
Both knives to be proud of, and the pietersite is amazing. I can certainly understand you enthusiasm for this new direction.
 
SharpByCoop said:
Mark, the impressive things which appealed to me were:

a. The deceptively simple and symmetrical shape.
b. The proud inlays with the slightly beveled edges.

Already you have a renowned style, all your own. Outstanding!

I often experiment with colors which are different and yet contrast and/or compliment one another. I'm lucky to have such a library of choices and choosing the 'correct' (there are MANY correct backgrounds for any given image) is my challenge. I only wish I had your artistic eye to help me, too. In these cases we both liked the outcome.

Yes, by all means the accent of the blue in the pietersite handle sends it off the charts, and the stark Pallasite meteorite inlay on your first folder is pronounced loudly through the muted steel.

Wonderful. Thanks for sending these. I loved them.

Jim
Click to expand...

Coop, Building the knife is only half the job, selling it is the other half. Without your help and support the second half would be difficult indeed. Thanks for everything.
 
I really like the pattern Mark. It seems like you have used complimentary colors for quite some time in your multi-piece custom handles on your fixed blades. It's nice to see you doing the same on some gents folders.

Kevin
 
Kevin Cross said:
I really like the pattern Mark. It seems like you have used complimentary colors for quite some time in your multi-piece custom handles on your fixed blades. It's nice to see you doing the same on some gents folders.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Thanks Kevin, appreciate it.
 
I like them both Mark. Really nice work and great photos too. But I really like the top one if I'm choosing favorites. I like the blade shape on that one better and the damascus goes really well with the mokume frame. The inlay is the perfect color and contrast to both for the icing on the cake.
 
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