'Purity of the curve' • The works of Jeffrey Cornwell

SharpByCoop

SharpByCoop

Enjoying the discussions
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Oct 8, 2001
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I have the opportunity to photograph and work with some of the finest people on the planet. I'd also like to think ALL my clients are friends. Every maker has talents and abilities different than another. That's why this is Custom and Handmade.

Jeffrey and I have been working together for many years. He lives in Anchorage, Alaska, to give you a bit of perspective. His work always presents a challenge for me to photograph, and I've learned to take my time and get it right. The backgrounds must align themselves in some way with the subjects. He is never in a rush for quality.

His blades are non-traditional and are in a sub-category, certainly closer to art than function, yet we have long determined that one esteemed 'function' is to please the eye and provide the owner with pride of ownership.

Let me show you one of his latest creations and my own vision on how he wanted it displayed.

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Yup, a twirling Ballerina on stage, recreated in the form of cutlery.

I've talked to Jeffrey only once, and he speaks slowly, measuring his words, clearly wishing to convey his thoughts distinctly. His handwork is an extension of this aptitude.

In his own words to me:
Some observations about my work… My blades are all about original, sculptural shapes, & purity of the curve, the line. Universal, organic figures with edges & points.

My blades are not meant to fillet whales, or skin elephants, though they are all weapons, & fit the hand. I create blades that name themselves, & defy category. My visions do not conform to hunter, fighter, bowie, dagger, or sword.

Now, I have made one traditonal knife, a tanto, & may make others. There are world class knifemakers who have mastered some, or all aspects of knifemaking, from forging to finishing. And there are also specialists that forge, machine, scrim, & engrave. The mastery & artistic beauty of those knives is so remarkable!

As I mentioned, I consider myself a master of only one thing…original design. I work to create singular blades that show my own sense of artistry, not mimic others.
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His names for his creations are always appropriate.

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Many of the blades he's delivered to me represented a living form, mostly curving females. Such a rich inventory of subjects.
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But not all....
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This last one was a smile-provoking departure. Not mortal, yet so relevant. I LOVED this knife:
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As I have done often in the past, I love to acquire knives from makers I admire and works that are exceptional and diverse. I wanted this one.

We talked and Jeffrey was excited to work with me. Knowing I wanted one of his works in my own collection, was fulfilling to him. And to me, too. This one is MINE.

He sends me notes with his works and helps me determine the positioning and often the colors of the backgrounds. I work with him until we nail it. "Bullseye!" is his acceptance phrase.

On the photo below I misread his notes and shot the blade in the wrong orientation (The above shot was correct to his liking). His mark is upside down. It's backwards, he tells me...
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I say that's what they told Jimi Hendrix, too: You're doing it wrong! LOLZ! (So I shot this one with different colors and a 'star' highlight style that I wanted to work with. It was an experiment.)

Jeffrey's knives are an acquired taste and sure won't please everyone. One thing is certain: They are unmistakable and original.

Witness all of his previous creations through my website gallery: Jeffrey Cornwell's Blades

Thanks for reading and admiring. Even if you are scratching your head. We both know this. :p :thumbup:

Coop
 
Well those are certainly different!

Very cool as well.

Well shot Coop :thumbup:
 
very interesting work Coop and the one you got is perfect for you although something with rowing or motorcycles would be kewl too. personally, of all those presented, the new one, Mermaid, is by far my favorite and would be something that would be of interest to me.
 
Fascinating! I love the images you made. They are dramatic and encourage the viewer to spend more time looking.
The "Wicked Guitar" was a good choice - the one I would've picked as well. Very cool!
 
beautiful.... especially the diver. Although I had some difficulty finding the edge on a few!
 
Very nicely done. May I ask how you photographed them? Taking the first picture for example, the shadow makes it appear the knife is suspended in air. Did you do this in an editing program later, have it hanging by a wire, or something I am not thinking of?
 
bfnewbie said:
Very nicely done. May I ask how you photographed them? Taking the first picture for example, the shadow makes it appear the knife is suspended in air. Did you do this in an editing program later, have it hanging by a wire, or something I am not thinking of?
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That you are spending extra time studying the images = Success. :)

Only one image, the Manta Ray is a real background (foil paper with two bends creating a 'wave'.) All the others are a digital backgrounds; a real departure for me, as 99% of my work is with real shadows and backdrops. They are an extraction of the core image and then I recreate the shadow. (The Ballerina shadow was a duplicate layer, filled with black, transformed to a new shape, then blurred. Notice its sharp at the point and blurry farther out. That took some work to accomplish.

It's all editing. The blades are real.

Thanks, guys. Murray, you will make Jeffrey smile with your interest.

Coop
 
Jim thanks for showing his work it is nice to see something so unique and different
 
SharpByCoop said:
I have the opportunity to photograph and work with some of the finest people on the planet. I'd also like to think ALL my clients are friends. Every maker has talents and abilities different than another. That's why this is Custom and Handmade.
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Some makers have exceptional skills, and many do not. Championing those with lacking skills and inferior results is not something to be proud of. Encouraging, guiding and educating to a higher level IS something to strive for and attempt with all contacts. I'm not really sure which side of the scale you are on in this particular case, and it really doesn't matter much, does it?

SharpByCoop said:
His blades are non-traditional and are in a sub-category, certainly closer to art than function, yet we have long determined that one esteemed 'function' is to please the eye and provide the owner with pride of ownership.
Click to expand...

Those of you that would be proud to own these knives should let me know at some point in our interactions. It would be quite telling. I suspect that Coop, Murray White and Bob Betzner would be the only friends I have that would, but am always open to surprise.

"My blades are not meant to fillet whales, or skin elephants, though they are all weapons, & fit the hand. I create blades that name themselves, & defy category. My visions do not conform to hunter, fighter, bowie, dagger, or sword.

As I mentioned, I consider myself a master of only one thing…original design. I work to create singular blades that show my own sense of artistry, not mimic others."

Am not even sure how original the designs are....they would be easily lumped in with just about every other derivative piece included in "300 Knives"...the Moss Cutter of Tom Ferrero on page 91, the "Eat" Cheese knives on page 236, the Carrizzi/Cronin "Strato" on page 340.

If you find my lack of enthusiasm the usual, it is not.... it is simply....there is a lot more WORK to make a drop point hunter, and do it RIGHT than it is to take a piece of pearl, cut it out to shape of a face, and screw on a relatively formless blade as on page 338. For art, they are ok, as knives..... really, you are joking, right? Wouldn't Gallery have been more appropriate?

Different just to be different is not only frequently not good, it is sometimes real bad.

The photography, as always, is superb.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
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Sometimes facing a blank page, with the intent of original design, is more "work" than the physical execution of the piece... such as a hunter done 'right'.

Picasso could & did paint successfully, in the styles of the day, before he faced the blank page and explored his own path.

I'm not a fan of cubism, nor would I own a knife like those above, but I can certainly appreciate both.
 
Amazing work, both of you! After reading your explaination of your techniques I'm not sure whose job is harder, the maker or the photographer.

Thank you both for sharing your skills
 
Thanks men. Appreciate it. The glass is either half full, or half empty. It's as simple as that.

Coop
 
I waited quite a while before posting here, because I didn't know what to say. For those who like them, good for you. For myself....I don't like 'em. For me, not a knife and for me again, not art, but for the maker it is an expression from deep within, and I applaud that for sure.

Paul
 
Again, in Jeffrey's defence, and to my own mistake, I once above called Jeffrey's creation a knife. He doesn't. Both critical posts above called them knives.

Jeffrey calls them blades, and that IS a distinction of merit. He wrote of his only knife: a tanto.

This won't change anyone's opinions, but it's an honest and better qualifier.

Coop
 
I thank Jim Cooper for his strong support.

I appreciate the compliments.

I equally value the criticisms, as they force me to look ever closer at my work.

I cannot comment on the time other makers commit to their work. I know everything I do takes time, though I do not keep track of it, since I work for a vision, not for a wage.

Now, do not get me wrong. I love all kinds of knives & swords. Makers everywhere, young & old, are uniquely interpreting classic designs, creating styles of their own, or reproducing blades of great historical value. The power of tradition, like that of the Japanese Sword, is overwhelming.

I just do what I do. Call it whatever you want. I do not try to be different, I just am.

Jeffrey Cornwell
 
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