Matt Lerch "Paia Dagger" - Revisited

The Amazing Virginian

The Amazing Virginian

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I thought maybe I would revisit the Matt Lerch "Paia Dagger" which I posted here a week ago, with some pictures that the owner shared with me and gave me permission to post here at Blade Forums.

Here again is the original picture.

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As John White and Rich Slaughter surmised, there is indeed an additional "pro" photo which shows its "current look" . . . and some non-pro pictures of how it got there.

This knife was engraved by Brian Hochstrat and the finished knife was photographed by Mitchell Cohen (Prairie Digital Photography) specifically for inclusion in Dr. David Darom's new book, "The World of Art Knives II" which will be publicly unveiled soon.

In the picture below, what you're seeing is one of the sides of the knife-taken down...

Scroll- basic design and inlay channels "cut." When you do one of these, it's complicated and you never know if it is going to work out until you put it all back together.

The figure is a representation of the ancient Egyptian god Anubis.

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In the next picture, the gold has been inlayed on side one. 19K gold (alloyed) on the sides; 22K gold in the middle. Unfortunately, this photo doesn't really show the "true " color of the inlays.


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Next we have a picture of side one completed.

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Next we have a picture of side two completed, showing a representation of the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet.

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Finally, we see the completed knife. All in, there's about 238 hours of labor in the engraving /gold inlay, and approximately 1/2 troy ounce of gold has been inlayed.

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Again . . . knife by Matt Lerch; engraving by Brian Hochstrat; photography by Mitchell Cohen.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures.

Personally, I think this is one of the nicest knives, if not the nicest knife, which I have seen in a long, long time.
 
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hey I know this knife!
Glad to see it getting the light of day via Bladeforums that it so richly deserves :)
Really looking forward to the next projects, as well.

I love seeing work like this in here. It's a whole other level that is so interesting, so creative and so intellectual. Agonizing in ALL the details, many of which only see the light of day due to the dedicated Collectors which make it possible for them to happen:thumbup:
 
This knife is such a blockbuster in conception and execution. As Lorien notes, the detail is overwhelming even after you get over the initial awe.

I'm really happy to see it out here for viewing and enjoyment, and just as happy to know that Dr. Darom's book will carry it and like knives to a wider audience.

In addition to Matt Lerch, Brian Hochstrat, Mitch Cohen, and Dr. Darom, give a huge shout out to the collector who brought these guys together to create this and other classics!

John
 
the 'fan' shaped damascus insert just blows the hell out of my mind. There's a whole other dimension there.
 
Thanks for re posting this, I really like seeing the progression. How about telling us about the knife, size, full auto, Damascus maker? Get the reclusive owner to tell all.;)
 
Great knife and part of an even greater collection from a guy with most excellent taste!!

Marcel
 
That is incredible. If I saw those images in a book, they'd get my attention. Knowing that the medium is steel, with engraving and gold inlay has me shaking my head in awe.
 
Really beautiful. The progress pictures of the engraving shows how much skill is needed for something like this.
 
Win Heger said:
Thanks for re posting this, I really like seeing the progression. How about telling us about the knife, size, full auto, Damascus maker? Get the reclusive owner to tell all.;)
Click to expand...

The knife is Matt's patented "double action" Paia dagger with Mike Norris "Double Stainless Steel Damascus".
Matt has carved the Damscus fantail,18K gold finial and 18K gold inlay in the blade.

The knife is 8 9/16" O.A. L.- 5" closed- not including the finial.
The knife was designed around an engraving project ( For example-I asked that the Damascus fantail be elongated and and room left on the sides for Brian's elegant liberty scroll) with Brian Hochstrat.
We choose that "Egyptian" engraving theme as we felt that it complimented the basic lines of the knife.

The knife will be displayed in a "French fitted" case with a mahogany base and a glass pyramid cover.
Matt, Brian, and Mitch, all thank you for the kind compliments.

Mr. Reculsive :)
Paul
 
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Thanks for filling us in on the project. Even though I consider this an Art Knife meant for display, it's really nice to know it's a fully functional.
 
Very very great work, I love it. Congratulation to Matt and Brian, thanks to The Virginian for showing it. Ciao Tore
 
One of the many things that I really like is the way that the scroll engraving at the bottom complements the Damascus fan tail insert. Also, it is nice that this particular knife does not have visible pins or screws to detract from its appearance.

It would be nice to see the display case if you ever get a picture of that.

What would REALLY be nice would be to find a way so that both sides could be displayed and visible without having to open a display case and flip the knife over. That way you don't have to decide which side to display at any one time. It is a shame to keep either of these sides hidden. Both sides are amazing, but I prefer the side with Anibus, which I think is "amazing-er."
 
The Virginian said:
One of the many things that I really like is the way that the scroll engraving at the bottom complements the Damascus fan tail insert. Also, it is nice that this particular knife does not have visible pins or screws to detract from its appearance.

It would be nice to see the display case if you ever get a picture of that.

What would REALLY be nice would be to find a way so that both sides could be displayed and visible without having to open a display case and flip the knife over. That way you don't have to decide which side to display at any one time. It is a shame to keep either of these sides hidden. Both sides are amazing, but I prefer the side with Anibus, which I think is "amazing-er."
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,
I actually spoke "out of turn" in calling the case "French fitted."

It's actual a "fitted case" and the case maker is fabricating a piece-stand that will sit inside of the knife - allowing the knife to be displayed in an upright position-under the ( a) glass pyramid.

Also , this knife is assembled from the inside out, which enables a repair of the "double action feature" if ever need be, all without distubring the engraving.

Paul
 
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Ken,

Thanks for posting these great photos.

I'm sure that Paul the "Recluse" is very proud to own this beautiful knife.

Jim Treacy
 
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