Warenski Art Dagger

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betzner

betzner

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Jan 23, 2007
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An opportunity recently arose to re-acquire a Warenski that had been in my collection awhile back, so I jumped at the chance. Most collectors at one time or another have probably asked the question more than once "Damn, why did I get rid of that piece?", having had regrets . Such is the case with this piece.

However, because of some recent eyesight loss, I've found it more difficult to focus on this handle's finely crafted detail. I don't show the Warenskis anymore, but while pondering the dagger's future, I figured I might as well throw up some images of this one here, for the viewing pleasure of those who may be interested in seeing it.

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Let me expand on the handle material a bit. Technically, it is not a marble in the geological sense, but that's what this particular sedimentary rock is called. It's actually a very fine-grained black limestone, quarried from the mines of Derbyshire, England. No one calls it limestone, however, since it's known as black marble, exhibiting a shiny, black surface, once turned and polished.
 
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Incredible dagger. Congrats on getting it back. And thank you for sharing it.
Cheers Keith
 
congrats on getting it back :thumbup: and thank you for sharing, it's a stunning piece for sure :)
 
Just imagine the work on that handle :thumbup::cool: Good to see it back in the hands of a true aficionado!!

Marcel
 
I'm sorry to hear about the eyesight issues Bob.

Thank you for sharing this here! Always love seeing a true museum quality piece like this.

We are extremely fortunate to have you here on the forum.
 
It's always great to see examples from your collection, Bob. Congratulations on getting this one back.
 
Bob - I can understand why you would want it back.
My only hands-on experience with Buster's knives was when I photographed his three gold legacy daggers. Other than that, like most folks, I've admired Coop's and PointSeven's photos of great Warenski blades.
However, I did come away from that experience with a very strong awareness of Buster's celebrated "art knife" style which, for lack of a better word is "voluptuous." IMHO, many a knife might look like a Warenski - but none are erotic at their core, which is what I mean by voluptuous..
When I look at your knife, Bob, I see that unmistakable quality - it is a fine example of Buster Warenski's highest style. He was to the custom knife world what Vargas was to Playboy Magazine.
I salute you.
 
The Virginian said:
Thanks for sharing the pics. In Coop's picture, it almost seems like a completely different knife.
Click to expand...

I shot the extra images in order to capture the intricacy of the handle carving by exposing more emphasis on the gold-highlighted rosettes, using close-ups. The delicately carved rosettes are larger in the middle of the handle and much smaller at either end of the handle. The macro worked out pretty well for it, I think. My images do seem to be a bit less glossy, though, but are true and were shot in natural light.
 
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HTMD said:
Bob - I can understand why you would want it back.
My only hands-on experience with Buster's knives was when I photographed his three gold legacy daggers. Other than that, like most folks, I've admired Coop's and PointSeven's photos of great Warenski blades.
However, I did come away from that experience with a very strong awareness of Buster's celebrated "art knife" style which, for lack of a better word is "voluptuous." IMHO, many a knife might look like a Warenski - but none are erotic at their core, which is what I mean by voluptuous..
When I look at your knife, Bob, I see that unmistakable quality - it is a fine example of Buster Warenski's highest style. He was to the custom knife world what Vargas was to Playboy Magazine.
I salute you.
Click to expand...

Buddy, thanks for your comments. There's definitely a feel and look about Warenski art daggers that sets them apart. This is especially true for the Warenski art daggers with elaborate handles. They've generally been the most sought after of the Warenskis, so to find one available (a private offering) was great, especially one I had been "re-coveting". I wish I could make out the fine detail better now, but the macro imagery does help.

To quote Don Guild, "Warenskis are drying up, and this one is of such high quality, one of comparable beauty may not be seen for sale on the web or at a knife show for years." That was four or five years ago, and no Warenski art dagger approaching this quality has been made publicly available since then, that I recall, but I could be wrong.
 
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