Engraved knives with a theme...

[SharpByCoop]

Engraving on knives is an art into itself, and the artistry and abilities go from simple single line curves to complex sculpting.

The medium allows complex images to be displayed--and in doing so it can describe stories. Ancient legends and myths are a common theme.

Below is a VERY ornate 'hidden window' pocket-locket dagger crafted by Joe Kious, and engraved by the rarely-seen master, Bryson Gwinell. I'll outline the history below. It's captivating.

Click on the small image to a LARGE image for your perusal. It's incredible.




Side one: The Ride of the Valkyries- The Valkyries were Odin’s battle maidens. These maidens rode over the battlefields on flying steeds and selected the ”Einhejar”, or “heroic dead”, who would go to Valhalla to be with Odin.

Side two: Here Odin bids farewell to his wife, as he prepares for battle. On Odin’s shoulder are his tireless ravens, the airborne news reporters, Huggin and Muninn. At his feet crouch his pet wolves, Geriand and Freki, omens of good luck.

Pocket Locket: Engraved inside is the Yggdrasil, the world tree that lays at the heart of the universe. The whirling patterns of viking art strikingly capture the vitality of life. A stag browses on its evergreen foliage, while a serpent nips at its neck, reflecting the life and death struggle in war.

The knife was specifically commissioned by Rob Blanton. Here is what he has to say about the heralded engraving artist:

Bryson Gwinell was born in Springfield Massachusetts in 1947. Bryson’s father, a machinist for Smith and Wesson, was an artist at heart , working in many disciplines including engraving, sculpture, and painting. In his youth Bryson was fascinated watching his father engrave . Around age 10 Bryson picked up his first engraving tool and fell in love with the art.

After high school he attended sculpting classes at the University of Hartford. Bryson was drawn into the study of anatomy, and still studies it today.

After a stint in the military he settled into a position with Smith & Wesson as an apprentice engraver. Seven years later he was contracted by Colt Firearms, and accepted a position as a master engraver. When the Colt Union went on strike, he went to work as an engraver for The United States Mint.

Bryson later moved to Vermont where he began doing free-lance work for Colt Firearms, Parker, and Winchester. He and his wife Kathleen are currently living in Hawaii.

Knives are a crazy medium to be involved in. There are many ends of the spectrum. Here's one.

Coop

 

[Raj]

Coop,excellent pictures as always.Interesting read about Nordic mythology.Thanks for the info on the engraver.All in all a very fine post.

 

[cockroachfarm]

Incredible! (Personally, I still feel that kind of work should be referred to as carving instead of engraving.) Semantics aside - wow.

 

[Kevin Jones]

Fantastic Photo.
I love it when an artist utilizes their talent to communicate a message or tell a story. It makes the piece all the more interesting.

 

[Murray White]

awesome work by maker, engraver and photographer. I love the background. you do find some great backgrounds coop

 

[lfd972]

Nice photos, thanks for posting the history.

 

[Win Heger]

Wow, Coop, that is just fantastic. Great story to go with your unbelievably good photography!

Win

 

[Marcel54]

Great piece with an interesting theme. I love this type of work and in this case it is masterly done.

Here is an other knife with a story to tell. This one is made by Arpad Bojtos, not unfamiliair to this forum, and it tells the story of Saint George and the Dragon. It's partially carved and partially engraved.

The picture is done by the great Stephen F.:thumbup:

I just recently sold this knife to a fellow collector who wanted this one really bad. So it presides in the US now.

Marcel

 

[cgwbear]

hi, i think arpad's work is w/out equal--w/ special consideration to the way in which he truly makes the knives w/ his hands. any idea how many pieces he has made, and how many are outstanding (in dealers' hands)? thanks, h

 

[cockroachfarm]

......I love the background. you do find some great backgrounds coop

I agree 100%. This one is perfect for that knife. :thumbup: (See, you don't need glass marbles, feathers, fern fronds, driftwood, autumn leaves....you just need The Eye. And our friend Mr. Cooper has that in spades.)

 

[Kevin Jones]

I agree 100%. This one is perfect for that knife. :thumbup: (See, you don't need glass marbles, feathers, fern fronds, driftwood, autumn leaves....you just need The Eye. And our friend Mr. Cooper has that in spades.)

I agree. All the stuff some put in the background distract from the knife.