Elysium
"Elysium" Fine Handmade Folding Knife
- Type: Liner lock folding knife in stone case
- Size: Length overall open: 7.0" (17.8 cm), Length overall closed: 4.125" (10.5 cm) Blade Length: 3.0" (7.6 cm) Blade Thickness: .120" (3.1 mm)
- Case size: 5.0" (12.7 cm) wide, 3.0" (7.6 cm) deep, 1.3" (3.3 cm) high
- Weight: Knife: 3.8 oz. (108 grams) , Case: 1 lb. 4 oz. (567 grams)
- Blade: ATS-34 high molybdenum stainless tool steel, hardened and tempered to Rockwell C59
- Thumb Studs: 304 Stainless Steel set with Faceted Rhodolite Garnets
- Bolsters: Hand-engraved selectively anodized 6AL4V titanium
- Liners: Anodized 6AL4V Titanium
- Handle: Polished Red River Jasper Gemstone
- Case: Blue Eyes Anorthosite, suede leather, neoprene feet
- Knife: Perhaps one of the most striking folding
knives I've made to date, this Elysium is named for a volcanic
region on the planet Mars, which is named for the ancient Greek
final resting place of heroic and virtuous souls. The knife design
is curvaceous and inviting, the blade has a teardrop belly and drop
point that yields a deeply hollow ground razor keen blade. The blade
steel I chose for this knife is super-tough ATS-34, a high
molybdenum tool steel that is strong and wear-resistant even when
ground very thin. The blade
is completely fileworked in an offset staccato pattern from spine to
sculpted choil, and even the inside of the spine spacer of the
handle has complete and detailed filework with a mirror polish. The
spine is also hardened and tempered ATS-34 stainless tool steel. On
the spine are handmade turned and polished thumb studs that I
created in 304 stainless steel, inlaid with faceted Rhodolite Garnet
gemstones. The knife has bolsters of hand-engraved 6AL4V titanium, a
very tough, springy and strong lightweight metal that is typically
used on the liners and spring locks of my folding knives. For a
unique and striking effect, I hand-engraved the titanium, which was
a laborious process, and then selectively anodized the pattern. This
can only be done with chemical anodization, which is a detailed
practice. First, the entire bolster with engraving is completed, and
then the entire surface is chemically anodized to yield a surface of
titanium dioxide, creating the color interference pattern seen as
lavender. Then, the surface is hand-rubbed away, and the next
anodization step yields the color interference pattern seen as
blue-gray on the remainder of the bolster. This optical interference
is the same as seen in an oil slick or soap bubble, but it's in
metal and permanent. It's a lot of effort to
yield a lasting, beautiful, striking, and unique finish that is
durable and stable. As with all of my finishes, only harsh
abrasion will remove it. The bolsters are fileworked on the inside,
where they are attached to the liners; in fact, there are literally
hundreds of file cuts applied to this creation of metal and stone. At this
bolster-liner junction, the
surfaces are also selectively anodized to bring out the filework
pattern in lavender. The liners are meticulously fileworked 6AL4V
titanium also, anodized to a deep cobalt blue which compliments the
vine filework. The 304 stainless steel pivot is set with a faceted Rhodolite garnet as
well, and the screws are 304 high nickel, high chromium austenitic
stainless steel. The handle scales are dovetailed and bedded, made
of shocking red and yellow Red River Jasper from Canada. This is a
true jasper, a microcrystalline opaque quartz that has been fused
and metamorphosed deep under the earth's crust for millions of years. The
veins in the gemstone range from yellow to clear quartz with even a
few bits of pyrite. This is a very hard, tough, and durable
gemstone, and will outlast all of the metal on the knife with little
or no care. The knife feels light and tough in the hand and the
action is smooth, clean, with the lock-up solid and secure.
- Case: I wanted a special sarcophagus for this
knife, an everlasting and durable stone case that would last as long
as the knife and protect it with beauty and original style. I
created this stone case in Blue Eyes Anorthosite, a
plutonic rock composed of coarse-grained labradorite feldspar with
pyroxene. This stone comes from Nain on the coast of Labrador in
Canada, and has distinctive schiller, or labradoressence, the play of light in the
feldspar crystals that yields flashes of intense blue and green
color that change depending on the direction and intensity of the
light. I spent considerable time cutting, lapping, carving, shaping,
finishing, and polishing this stone to come up with a form and
finish that is deserving of this fine and striking knife. The finish
is luxuriant and smooth, the case is lined with suede leather to
protect the knife and has convenient finger cutouts to easily remove
the knife from the case. The lid is polished inside and out, and has
keyed holes that engage 304 stainless steel studs for a matched fit.
I inlayed neoprene feet in the bottom so the case can safely rest on
any surface without scratching.
- Sheath: My client requested a sheath commensurate to the quality
of the knife, so I constructed a vertical mount, tension fit sheath
with a snap flap. The sheath is hand-carved leather shoulder, 9 - 10
oz. thick, with 12 inlays of red rayskin. The inside is lined with
brown suede leather, and the snug fitting knife is protected. The
belt loop is just over 1.5" and the structural stitching is done
with black polyester. The suede edges are hand-stitched with a
blanket (overlap) stitch pattern to protect the wear areas from
separation and abrasion. The sheath is dyed a medium brown and
sealed for preservation and protection.
- A stunning and original investment grade work of knife art, in
bold materials and execution for the collector.
Thanks, D. F.!
Hi Jay.
I just received the knife. It is single-handedly the most beautiful piece of art that I own.
I am so grateful for your work. The sarcophagus, the sheath, and the knife are all independently beautiful pieces.
Once again I cannot thank you enough.
--D. F.
Just another quick note to let you know that I am just loving carrying my new knife.
It's such a beautiful piece of artisan work.
Thank you again.
--D.
Please click on thumbnail knife photos