"Infernos Vertigo" was a commissioned piece, in which my client and I agreed on a "fire" theme. This concept was explored not only though shapes, but also material choices. This knife was created by combining many different elements from several different sketches, as well as referring to a long list of ideas that I have been developing over the years, as well as coming up with completely new ideas that would contribute to the overall fire motif. I then morphed all of this into a completely new and unique design. The blade is a three-layer sandwich "San Mai", using two different Damascus patterns, combining the turbulence of a Turkish-twist pattern for the selectively exposed spine, ricasso, and upper potion of the hollow grind, with the undulating lines of a Random pattern running along the cutting edge, and other deeply carved areas. The Twist pattern Damascus bolsters were carved to mimic fire in an unpredictable, undulating way, then deeply etched and colored in shades of plum, with hints of blue. These bolsters were the single most time consuming and tedious individual element I have worked on to date, they were cut and shaped with only a jewelers' saw, and small grinding bits set up in my drill press. I later realized I could have laser cut these pieces, and probably saved myself a weeks worth of work! However, as I do not employ any mass production operations, the thought never crossed my mind. Aside from the extra amount of sculpting involved, other elements of note are the flame-motif gold inlay found along the spine and bevels. Another, is the extra layer of black-lip pearl found recessed under, and between the negative space of the Ivory scales and bolsters. The CP grade titanium bolster "liners" are also shaped in the style of fire under the bolster area, though slightly oversized for a ghosting effect. Finally, there is a bit of carving and shaping of the Mastodon Ivory as well. Click Here to view the original drawing of this knife. This knife has appeared in the following publications: "Knives 2007", April, 2006: in the Belgium magazine "Che", Jan., 2006: "Stuff" magazine, the book "Art & Design in Modern Custom Fixed-Blade Knives", the Sept.-Oct.-Nov. 2003 French magazine "Excalibur", the Jan./Feb, 2003 German magazine, "Hephaistos", the Feb. 2003 edition of "Knives Illustrated", the Dec. 2002, French magazine "Excalibur", "Metalsmith" magazines "Exhibition in Print 2002", and in the Dec. 2001 issue of "Knives Illustrated".

NAME: Infernos Vertigo	STYLE: Art Knife	LENGTH: 12 1/4"
BLADE STEEL: Integral San Mai - 1095/a203e Turkish Twist pattern damascus outside, BLADE STEEL: random pattern damascus core, forged by Daryl Meier, carved, & beveled		GRIND: Hollow, 10" wheel
BOLSTERS: 1095/a203e Twist pattern damascus forged by Daryl Meier, radiused, sculpted, deep etched, & hot blued, BOLSTERS: with a 4mm Black Lip Pearl Cabochon, 4mm Rhodolite Garnet Cabachon, & 4mm Peridot, all set in 18k BOLSTERS: yellow Gold bezels.
SCALES: Contoured, carved & beveled fossil Siberian Mastodon Ivory w/ 3mm & 4mm Black Opals, & 4mm Citrine, all SCALES: set in 18k Yellow gold bezels.
HANDLE UNDERLAY: Black Lip Pearl recessed under and between the bolsters & scales, w/ Copper backing under Pearl, HANDLE UNDERLAY: and between Titanium liners.
LINERS: CP grade fileworked & beveled anodized Titanium		PIERCING: 16g 18k Yellow Gold w/ PIERCING: Stainless Steel bead.
INLAYS: Black Lip Pearl & Semi Transparent Shell w/ picture underlays. Gold inlays & engraving by Ray Cover Jr.
STONES: Front to Back: (All stones are faceted unless otherwise indicated) 3mm Blue/Green Tourmaline, 4mm Pink STONES: Sapphire, 4mm Black Lip Pearl Cabachon, 4mm Rhodolite Garnet Cabochon, 4mm Peridot, 3mm Black Opal, STONES: 4mm Black Opal, 4mm Black Opal, 4mm Black Opal, 4mm Citrine. All set in 18k Yellow Gold bezels.
HEAT TREATED BY: Paul Bos