KNIFE ARTISTRY

[Quick Steel]

In addition to their utilitarian use as a tool, knives have provided a canvass for the artistically inclined. From the scrimshaw of an idle sailor to the gold and jewel encrusted knife of King Tut, judged to be the world's most valuable knife, the urge to decorate a knife has been with us throughout the ages.

Following is my and my sister's small collection of knives distinguished for their artistry. If you have any knives in your collection that impress you with the maker's skill and creativity that you think has generated an exceptionally beautiful knife I hope you will share them here. They need not be specifically "art knives," but knives that offer their own inherent beauty.

[Waukonda]

Impressive! A good thread to start to start.

[Madmarco]

Seeing all those beautiful knives all together makes me drool Garry! They're all gorgeous, but the top knife with the hot-air balloons is something special! I'll go over my collection and see if I can contribute to this thread! Great idea!

[tongueriver]

Those are impressive! I have some lovely knives but perhaps not art knives. This one by Dimitar Atanasov-Mitko Bliznaka from Bulgaria might be the closest. Mammoth hunter.

[QTCut5]

Beauties Garry!

I've always considered even the simple, plain pocketknife to be artistic in its own special way, but the detail and craftsmanship that goes into the fancy, "artistic" knives certainly is visually impressive.

Here's a customized Case Russlock I've had for a while that I think may have been done by Jimmy Sabo:

More of Sabo's work is shown in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=67682&hilit=russlock

[doglegg]

Great stuff QS, tongueriver and Q.

[dlr110]

What I just looked at were some very colorful and unique knives....

[Waukonda]

Those are impressive! I have some lovely knives but perhaps not art knives. This one by Dimitar Atanasov-Mitko Bliznaka from Bulgaria might be the closest. Mammoth hunter.
1.jpg

That is quite an impressive work of art!

[tongueriver]

Those are impressive! I have some lovely knives but perhaps not art knives. This one by Dimitar Atanasov-Mitko Bliznaka from Bulgaria might be the closest. Mammoth hunter.
1.jpg

That is quite an impressive work of art!

Thank you, and thank everyone who has and who will contribute to this thread!

[1967redrider]

Great looking knives, QS, tongue and Q.

[gordonjohn]

Very Very nice knives love em

[Quick Steel]

tongueriver and Q, Your knives are fine examples of blending art and workmanship.

And thanks to all for your observations. Much appreciated. I am sure there are many more examples within the collections of our members.

[hardman]

Here are some Case Amber Bone Trappers featuring some color scrimshaw by Gary Harbour. I have had all of these for a while. Gary Harbour's scrimshaw seems to be commanding a real premium these days.

[FRJ]

Here is an elephant toe embellished by Muskrat Man.
I have always been glad I bought this knife.

[Quick Steel]

hardman, those are wonderful pieces by Mr. Harbour. It is no wonder they are in demand. Beautiful work.

[Quick Steel]

Muscratman created covers that are a beautiful complement to the elephant toe. I would love to have any of these wonderful examples of knife artistry.

If you fellows posted these knives in the past I somehow missed them. In any event, I am thrilled to see them now.

[treefarmer]

Very artistic, beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces!
I really like the Trapper with the American flag and the one above it with the Pileated Woodpecker.
Probably never have a knife dressed up like these but the sure are great to look over.
Thank y'all for sharing them.
Treefarmer

[Quick Steel]

Appreciate your comments treefarmer. I agree, the Piliated Woodpecker is awesome. Each of those Trappers is a gem.

[woodwalker]

My contribution to this thread would be a pair of queens. Beautiful knives you guys are showing. my pics always turn sideways for some reason. Operator error I'm sure.

[Quick Steel]

Very interesting and unusual pieces woodwalker. I'm thinking the knife on the right is mammoth tooth. I am at a loss about the other covers.

[espn77]

Here is a 30's Remington that the Eskimos carved a totem pole on the handles. Definitely a center piece of my collection.

[woodwalker]

Very interesting and unusual pieces woodwalker. I'm thinking the knife on the right is mammoth tooth. I am at a loss about the other covers.

Thanks Quick Steel, the one on the right is indeed Mammoth Tooth. The other trapper is Purple Spiny Oyster with some inlays.

[woodwalker]

Here is a 30's Remington that the Eskimos carved a totem pole on the handles. Definitely a center piece of my collection.

Very cool Espn77!!!

[Quick Steel]

espn77, In my view you have a very special knife. The unique artistic expression of the totems, full of meaning, and created by an indigenous native raise the significance of this knife to am extremely high level indeed. Congratulations on such an outstanding piece of work.

[hardman]

hardman, those are wonderful pieces by Mr. Harbour. It is no wonder they are in demand. Beautiful work.

Thanks for the compliments. I am glad I got these when I did. Like a lot of things these days, current pricing on Gary Harbour's work is much higher. Not that it isn't worth it.

My favorites from the above are the Eagle/Flag, the Pileated Woodpecker, and the Wolf Eyes.

Joe, that Elephant Toe is outstanding. In fact, all of the knives featured in this thread are outstanding. None of them users, but beautiful nonetheless.