This commissioned piece really only had one major parameter from my client, which was that it be suitable for every day carry. To accomplish this I had to streamline the shape and size; tone it down a bit. Aside from that, I was given free reign as far as materials. I sought to therefore make up for the slightly less overall dramatic design, with absolutely gorgeous, high-end materials, and that it certainly has; dynamic, all matching, uninterrupted pattern, powdered-metal mosaic Damascus forged from 1084 and 15N20 by Gary House. The scales are deeply colored Fossil Mastodon Ivory w/ true black, grey, orange and natural occurring mineral deposits of native silver, featuring Garnets set in gold and Sapphires set in platinum. To add to the drama I added one of my mysterious signature creations: a beautiful picture underlay glimpsed through semi-transparent pearl; on the spine you will find a beautiful womans face appearing like a ghostly apparition from within the pearl. She seems to be a prisoner, like an insect trapped in amber, yet with an enigmatic, Mona Lisa like smile. Who is she? What is her state of mind, her secret? This knifes name comes from its influences; violins and Asian/Indonesian temples. It is also a play on words; "Violence", and "Enshrine". The knife certainly has the look; dark, slick and aggressive, but as always I'm really playing with the concepts of violence and beauty being contained within a single object. This knife has appeared in the following publications: The Sept.-Oct.-Nov. 2003 edition of the French magazine; "Excalibur," in the Jan./Feb, 2003 German magazine ,"Hephaistos", in the book "Art & Design in Modern Custom Folding Knives", and "Knives Annual 2003".

NAME: Violin Shrine	STYLE: Automatic Folding Dagger	LENGTH: Open: 7 1/2", Closed: 4 5/16"
BLADE STEEL: 1084 / 15N20, "Butterflys and Flowers" pattern, BLADE STEEL: powdered metal mosaic damascus forged by Gary House		GRIND: Hollow, 5" wheel w/ Bloodgroove
BOLSTERS: (All stones are faceted unless otherwise indicated) Contoured, Bevelled and Carved 1084 / 15N20 "Butterflys BOLSTERS: and Flowers" pattern, powdered metal mosaic damascus forged by Gary House, w/ a 3mm Garnet (forward) BOLSTERS: and a 4mm Garnet (rear) on the front side set in 18k Yellow Gold and three 3mm Sapphires (forward) and a BOLSTERS: 4mm Sapphire (rear) on the back side set in platinum.
SCALES: Contoured Black, Orange and Gray Fossil Mastodon Ivory w/ Silver Deposits and Sterling Silver backing.
LINERS: 6AL4V Bi-colored, fileworked and Bevelled Anodized Titanium
BACKBAR: 6AL4V Bi-colored, fileworked and ferruled Anodized Titanium w/ inlays
INLAYS: Semi-transparent shell w/ picture and signature logo underlays and abolone
STONES: (All stones are faceted unless otherwise indicated) (front) 3 and 4mm Garnets set in 18kt Yellow Gold Bezels, STONES: (back) three 3mm and three 4mm AA Grade Sapphires set in Platinum Bezels.
TRIGGER: 1084 / 15N20 mosaic damascus forged by Gary House
HEAT TREATED BY: John Lewis Jensen