J.D. Smith Dagger

Kohai999 said:
It has that talismanic quality to it, visually speaking, that his best work does.
Click to expand...

I find this statement to be quite intriguing. Steven, would you care to elaborate on it?

You're a fortunate man, to have a knife like this on its way to you.
I have always been fascinated with symmetrical knives, even though there is and never has been any practical purpose for one in my sphere. Perhaps it's that fetishistic, ancient intuition coming through. There certainly is something going on with them, I just can't put my finger on what it is. I think I've got some research to do:).
 
Lorien said:
I find this statement to be quite intriguing. Steven, would you care to elaborate on it?

You're a fortunate man, to have a knife like this on its way to you.
I have always been fascinated with symmetrical knives, even though there is and never has been any practical purpose for one in my sphere. Perhaps it's that fetishistic, ancient intuition coming through. There certainly is something going on with them, I just can't put my finger on what it is. I think I've got some research to do:).
Click to expand...

A talisman is anything thought to have magic power; a charm. That power can be inherent or it can be introduced through action or belief.

It is powerful...it means SOMETHING...it is one of those knives that, like many great talismans, is borne of simple materials....Blackwood, damascus, silver, 01, that can hold up against those works done with vast engraving or jewels, or brightly colored finishes. JD's work always feels like it can serve well for defense OR offense, depending upon the situation...or it could simply be looked at as the coolest athame made(An athame can take many forms. It frequently has a double-edged blade with a sharp point, and a handle which is often black), although that is not how I look at it.

As far as fortunate, Lorien....I feel very privileged to be in this position, but the knife didn't just HAPPEN....I had to work to make the money to own it, and had to be in a position to get J.D. to make it for me(he makes less and less as the years go on) and we had to agree on basic dimensions and materials...which can be extremely difficult....although he is a master at dagger creation, he absolutely HATES and refuses to repeat himself....and has done maybe 30 knives of this style TOTAL...it is a challenge. You would like J.D., he is an artist first.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Last edited:
STeven, congrats with such a beautiful example of his work.
As you people know I'm a great dagger fan and J.D. Smith is at the top of the heap when it comes to daggers (and at the top of my list for owning one). This dagger is no exception when it comes to showing the talents he has. This one has an understated beauty and elegance to it and it can be recognized from a mile away as being the work of J.D. In short I love it:thumbup::cool:

Marcel
 
Sublime is a word that comes to mind. What a stunning piece in every way.

Talismanic? yes it certainly is.. Whether the thoughts induced by studying this dagger are just flights of imagination, there seems to be an inherent resonance of an older more dangerous time when one's life depended on such a knife.
To me anyway, as masterful as it is, it speaks of a pure utility but of the most dire kind.

Wonderful... thanks for sharing this.
 
That is a stunning dagger for sure. I can imagine you are anxious to hold it...I know I would be.

I like everything about it and especially the way JD Smith achieved a wrapped leather look carving the blackwood.

Congrats!

Peter
 
This is a great example of damascus totally working with a wood handle.
Like every line on this piece, the handle carving is one aspect of this piece that raises the intensity
and the steel pattern that you like so much, Rocks. :cool:
Sheathwork tops it off.
Great acquisition, STeven, Congrats ! :thumbup:

Doug
 
Besides being beautiful in its own right, this piece is also quite fascinating to me for the reason that it is almost understated elegance yet still a showcase for JD's talent and skill.

although he is a master at dagger creation, he absolutely HATES and refuses to repeat himself....and has done maybe 30 knives of this style TOTAL...it is a challenge. You would like J.D., he is an artist first.
Click to expand...

I can understand this. "A work of art is never finished, only abandoned." Going through that struggle multiple times to achieve the same result on each occasion is behavior acceptable only to truly stubborn people like iaidoka. :D
 
Kohai999 said:
I feel very privileged to be in this position, but the knife didn't just HAPPEN (...) and had to be in a position to get J.D. to make it for me (he makes less and less as the years go on) and we had to agree on basic dimensions and materials...which can be extremely difficult... You would like J.D., he is an artist first.
Click to expand...

when i ordered a knife from JD, he somehow managed to modify the basic concept, and in the end i had two knives that were a bit different from what we started from! :D

JD is not just a good knifemaker, he is one of the few i hold in high regard not only for his work but for his personality and character.

steven, this is a wonderful dagger, congratulations! i really envy you. such a shame this type of knife is forbidden over here!

best regards,
hans
 
IDK, I like the handle, but seems a little long, something about this knife just isn't working for me. I cant quite put my finger on it yet.
 
well, good thing it doesn't belong to you then:p
 
severedthumbs said:
IDK, I like the handle, but seems a little long, something about this knife just isn't working for me. I cant quite put my finger on it yet.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your position, severed, don't let it bother you.....this is the closest you will ever come to seeing it in person.....or any others like it:cool:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Kohai999 said:
I appreciate your position, severed, don't let it bother you.....this is the closest you will ever come to seeing it in person.....or any others like it:cool:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
Click to expand...



I'm not trippin STeven. And here I was hoping that next time I'm out in SoCal we could have a knife showing. Now I'm bummed!:(
 
severedthumbs said:
I'm not trippin STeven. And here I was hoping that next time I'm out in SoCal we could have a knife showing. Now I'm bummed!:(
Click to expand...

Be happy to show some of what I have.....this one is pretty special to me...we'll talk when you find yourself in my neck of the woods.:cool:

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I absolutely love that handle!!...... beautiful piece.... thanks for posting it, Steven.
 
I've had to revisit the pictures several times to work out my reaction.

Talismanic. Of course, I know what this means ... if nothing else, the OED is always there for consultation. Had to think about the definition for awhile.

It finally hit me. The knife is long and slender, every element of it has some hint of the organic (especially that exquisite handle -- must have taken enormous effort to produce it), and there is a flow, of something, from pommel to point. The eye is drawn down, through the smooth flow of the handle, into the guard, and then down the intricate lines in the damascus blade to the point.

So perhaps that is it. This dagger draws your attention subtly, then carries it ... in a current of some kind (mystical?) ... along to the point. Long before your eye reaches the point, you've come to admire the subtlety and complexity of the artist's work. I'd happily hold and admire that knife for quite some time, then come back to it many times over the years ... each time seeing a little more of the detail, each time appreciating the calming effect brought on by concentration and movement.

A wonderful piece for any collector.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top