Garsson's post got me thinking about a knife's potential as a fetishistic or ritualistic object.
I think a lot of people buy knives motivated by the knife's ability to act as a symbol or talisman of some type, (for them) especially when the knife isn't going to do anything more than be a treasured possession to be admired and communed with in some personal form.
For some folk, the stark tactical knife provides this connection, (often referred to in such quarters as 'grail'), for others the connection can only be found in a unique one of a kind form, such as Magnus pursues with his art.
I think I occupy the same school of thought as you Steven, when it comes to practical application, but this 'outlandish' type of knife construction I feel has an important role to play in the world. .
Mr. Arnold, lemme try this again.
The construction, design and execution of the packaging does not seem to be contentious for anyone. It is not for me as well. The design, art and craft are all represented in equal proportions. As a sculpture, box, or display piece, from all angles presented it is mysterious (what is in there?) visually arresting, and represents mastery of technique.
The knife does not have this quality for me. Judging it visually only, without having it in hand It features snakewood (no mention of stabilizing or not) an attractive, yet dubious material, cracking wise.....the handle features one look, the blade another, there is a broken sense of flow for me...the organic inelegantly fused with harsh, somewhat geometric "digital" forms. If ever there was a use for a different sized and shaped and less sunk handle attachment device, it is presented as example "A" of the 4 forward Torx bolts. The lack of tapering of both the tang and the handle scales was a missed opportunity for another differentially presented plane.
The shape of the blade is, as has been seen lately, ideally suited for a chopper, here not so much. The groove looks like it moves forward off the blade, and the damascus pattern competes with, rather than compliments the snakewood handle.
I like elements of both handle and blade, but not together, and not in a rendering of this type.
This is purely a matter of taste and preference, and thought to explain in greater detail, so you would understand some of the pondering that went into the initial post.
Virgil Englund also makes some of the most interesting knives I've ever seen, and while they don't top my list of knives to purchase for myself, they do top my list of unique steel creations which play an important role in triggering a unique response, because they are unique works of Art. This piece certainly falls into that category.
As a sculptor in the art knife realm, Virgil is without peer. The expense of the knives, the lack of makers mark on them(they come with a signature fob) and the absence of an edge on this work precludes it from ever being remotely considered for my collection. Virgil is in a class of his own.....and hopefully, it stays that way.
Best Regards,
STeven Garsson
That knife is truly inspirational and very unique.
