Sharpened art knives???

PaulDiStefano

PaulDiStefano

Joined
Nov 14, 2016
Messages
636
Hey everyone, I know there was a thread recently about if people sell their knives sharpened or not but I am curious about what are peoples takes on how important it is to sharpen art knives?

I have read on this forum that there are some art knife folder makers who don’t sharpen their knives. I’ve even seen Daniele ibba and Lana gorska’s daggers on Instagram videos who have won best in show at Sicac Paris multiple times with them. In their Instagram videos it is clearly shown that the edge is squared off and not brought to a sharp edge. No convexing or start of a secondary bevel whatsoever.

What are your guys’ thoughts on making them. I know people will say what’s the point of a knife if it’s not sharpened. But many top makers in the world don’t sharpen them. If you saw a high end knife without a sharp edge would you think less of it? Would you not care either way?

any and all thoughts welcome guys! I’d love to learn and hear some different perspectives on this.
Thanks guys.
Paul DiStefano
 
I can understand some of the issues such as perhaps not wanting the visual of a secondary bevel, or possibly having to etch again for damascus. I think it should at least come to a reasonably sharp edge. I could see not being too sharp during a picture shoot, but to show it in person, I think it should be.
 
how about another angle- can knives be sculpture/Art?

if so, why would it matter whether or not there is an edge?

what is the line between Utilitarian and Fine Art, when it comes to knives? Is it the edge, or something more?
 
Lorien said:
how about another angle- can knives be sculpture/Art?

if so, why would it matter whether or not there is an edge?

what is the line between Utilitarian and Fine Art, when it comes to knives? Is it the edge, or something more?
Click to expand...

I think I saw some of those at a kiosk at the mall LOL
 
I've actually seen this a lot with damascus blades at the Renaissance Faire, people want to be able to pass around their fancy toys to their drunk friends without bloodshed.
 
Lorien said:
how about another angle- can knives be sculpture/Art?

if so, why would it matter whether or not there is an edge?

what is the line between Utilitarian and Fine Art, when it comes to knives? Is it the edge, or something more?
Click to expand...
Using the term knife in my opinion says it all if you're going to call it a knife regardless of how expensive, pretty or how much work involved in creating it should be able to be used as a knife. A knife is a tool and should be created as such. I am aware of makers making high-end knives that do not give it the full range of treatment or sharpening because the statement is no one's ever going to use it. That feels to me like only doing half the job. The only time I do not sharpen a knife is when I send it for photographs. Once I get the knife back from the photographer I sharpen it clean it and send it to the customer shaving Sharp.
 
PaulDiStefano said:
I’ve even seen Daniele ibba and Lana gorska’s daggers on Instagram videos who have won best in show at Sicac Paris multiple times with them.
Click to expand...

I'm gonna try, and by no means should anyone take this a definitive-

if you are an artist, making a sculpture that is a knife, then it's your intention behind the object that matters. That's a Fine Art

if you are a knifemaker, making a knife that is aesthetically pleasing, then it's the intention behind the subject that matters. That's Utilitarian Art
 
Different perspectives: The judges are usually someone VERY highly regarded. Obviously they determined the edge was good enough. :)

There is a case for DAGGERS, where the cutting edge is the actually tip. It's a stabbing instrument. This probably was their mindset. Think Poignard.

This thread will be filled with hair-popping sharp long edge supporters. I get it and that's what I would want, given my choice. But is it mandatory? Hmmmmmm.

Congratulations to Daniel Ibba and Lana Gorsky. I have a few images of Daniel's works and he has included a nice slicing edge.
 
I
john april said:
i agree with the above. i had no idea some were dull. :rolleyes: i wonder if there any collectors that would prefer them that way ?
Click to expand...
t honestly blew my mind and really got me thinking. I didn’t know that many makers did this.

I honestly believe it’s completely because of the damascus pattern. It appears they etch very deep. if they etch it, sharpen it, then etch again the pattern will not look as good and consistent as if they omitted the sharpening completely. I feel it all came down to not losing the certain look they achieved with the deep etch
 
Richard338 said:
I can understand some of the issues such as perhaps not wanting the visual of a secondary bevel, or possibly having to etch again for damascus. I think it should at least come to a reasonably sharp edge. I could see not being too sharp during a picture shoot, but to show it in person, I think it should be.
Click to expand...
I prefer to get it sharp then etch it deep for pictures without resharpening and having that bevel hide some patterning. But now it’s making me second guess if it really is super important or not to go back and resharpen to get rid of the little micro serrations from the etch
 
Lorien said:
I'm gonna try, and by no means should anyone take this a definitive-

if you are an artist, making a sculpture that is a knife, then it's your intention behind the object that matters. That's a Fine Art

if you are a knifemaker, making a knife that is aesthetically pleasing, then it's the intention behind the subject that matters. That's Utilitarian Art
Click to expand...
I really like that thought about being an artist first. One who chooses to work in knives in the form of beautiful sculptures. I feel that’s how I’d rather describe myself. (Maybe not just yet but In the future I can when I’m a little better haha)
Sometimes I feel calling myself a knife maker or blade smith doesn’t give me or any of us enough credit because what we actually create is much more beautiful then just some tool
 
PaulDiStefano said:
I prefer to get it sharp then etch it deep for pictures without resharpening and having that bevel hide some patterning. But now it’s making me second guess if it really is super important or not to go back and resharpen to get rid of the little micro serrations from the etch
Click to expand...
For me I would say sharp then etched, is fine. Some even like what they perceive as toothyness. I have seen some pictures where there doesn't appear to be much of an edge and I wouldn't like that.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top