"Tombstone Dagger" w/Ken Hurst engraving

Bruce, you really outdid yourself with this one.:cool::thumbup:

As I told Mike I think this is really one of the nicest knives I have ever seen. Not only the knife but the sheath is top notch also and that beautiful engraving is the icing on the cake. To top it of Coop's photos are as usual of the highest order.

Congrats to all involved.

Marcel
 
Amazing, Bruce, my friend. Expected nothing less
when MT told me that he got the knife...

Send me the detailed description for my files?

All the best,
David Darom (ddd)
 
This dagger looks absolutely great ! Coop, you did actually see it : any comment ?
Of course I agree wholeheartedly with everyone. I was simply floored when Bruce and Kaye dropped this off.

Bruce was proud of its 'take-down' construction. The screw shot emphasizes this.

Yes, it's busy. But, the proportions and execution both from Bruce and Ken make it complete and not too much. Really a fine example of what we love about handmade custom knives.

Never miss an opportunity to reference again. Here is the same shot with the engraver's credit in the image:

orig.jpg


Coop
 
I appreciate the positive replies and compliments. Thank You Guys.

This is the first knife I have had done with full coverage engraving and didnt know what to expect. Ken has been engraving guns for over 50 years and at one time was in charge of over 40 apprentise engravers working on factory guns. Its funny that he will do a small project like this but he says its refreshing after spending months on a single rifle or shotgun. I marvel at the expertise it took to engrave the concave areas and under the shelf on the sheath throat. To do those areas he had to go one direction and then come back around the other direction and hope his lines meet together.

Luckily I made it just in time for it to be included in the next David Darom book. Thats a pleasant surprise.
 
Gentlemen, I thank you for your more than generous words regarding my scratching. However, the canvas I was offered to work on is truly what pushed this knife over the top. I'm not being dis-ingenious in making this statement as I have had the chance to closely study the internal hand polished finish that you can't. Anyone will put forth effort to insure the visiable area is free of minor blemishes but not many will also put the sme effort into insuring the internal polish is correct too. Knife engraving is something new to me so I'm still learning but plan on continuing to work on them --- what a break from the weeks required to complete commissions on long guns. Thanks again for your kind words and thanks again Mr. Bruce for giving me the chance.
 
Bruce, that knife and sheath are absolutely beautiful! The engraving really completes the package. I can't wait to see it in print!
A very nice job from a very nice guy.:thumbup:
See Ya
Alden
 
Of course I agree wholeheartedly with everyone. I was simply floored when Bruce and Kaye dropped this off.

Bruce was proud of its 'take-down' construction. The screw shot emphasizes this.

Yes, it's busy. But, the proportions and execution both from Bruce and Ken make it complete and not too much. Really a fine example of what we love about handmade custom knives.

Never miss an opportunity to reference again. Here is the same shot with the engraver's credit in the image:

Coop

A perfect example of "busy" done right. :thumbup:
Exceptional photo as well. Shows this piece in all it's glory.
 
To be honest I don't perceive this knife as "busy", because the overall appearance is "monochrome". For me a busy knife is something like the ones John Lewis Jensen make with lots of different materials and colours.

Marcel
 
To be honest I don't perceive this knife as "busy", because the overall appearance is "monochrome". For me a busy knife is something like the ones John Lewis Jensen make with lots of different materials and colours.

Marcel

I agree with you Marcel, I was more trying to be a bit humorous. ;)

There's no doubt a lot going on here; damascus, lots of engraving, frame handle, substantial pummel, racasso shields, six pins however each element works to support the overall beauty. A knife can however IMO, be made "busy" by overuse of design elements/embellishment just as with an abundance of material and colors. But NOT the case here, as it seems just right to me. :)

I like a complex design and embellishments, however when commissioning a knife, there's aways concern of crossing the line of trying to incorporate too much of a good thing.
 
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I like a complex design and embellishments, however when commissioning a knife, there's aways concern of crossing the line of trying to incorporate too much of a good thing.
He he he! I was just in email conversation with a maker who is working on a knife in design and materials. Here's my excerpt:

"Give me more time and I could really ruin it.... :)"

Yup.

There is a difference between busy and articulate detail. It's a goal that is often strived for and not-as-often met.

Coop
 
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