Art Folders
~Your Time Is Up~ Is a step-down folder. It has 24k gold and fine silver inlay and the length of the blade, including the step-down, is 4 ¾ inches, and the knife overall is 8 ¾ inches. The handle is ancient mammoth ivory. The theme of this knife was in spired by a bad dream I had a number of years ago. I drew what I had seen in my dream and my wife convinced me to make a knife out of it.
~Lost in Time~ The Lost in Time folder clearly shows the influence of a steam punk aesthetic on Mastersmith Shane Taylor's work. The multi-bar damascus blade combines three separte bars of damascus, carefully forged together into one of the most dramatic blades I have ever encountered. The edge section is formed from two bars of damascus, set in set into an opposing twist. This produces a pattern called Turkish Twist. The central bar is a mosaic damascus pattern depicting intricate gears. The blade has been heat colored to golden/purple hues. The handle is formed from bronze and shows articulated imprints of gears, seemingly frozen in time. 15N20 carbon steel liners are textured and heat colored to a golden bronze tone. Both the interior and exterior of the 1084 carbon steel backbar is meticulously engraved with gears and terminates on opposing ends with a Celtic cross. The center of the interior of the backbar is engraved with Shane's mark. The action is silky smooth and the blade well centered. The end of the blade is carved to resemble a gear and it is differentially heat colored. This makes it very easy to open the knife single-handed. Exceptional work throughout! Description by Blade Gallery.
The Well of Souls
~Steps of Sparta~ Steps of Sparta is undoubtedly Mastersmith Shane Taylor's most dramatic and successful knife to date. The damascus blade is incredibly complex. A twisted firestorm surrounds a twisted skulls pattern damascus central bar. By using 1084, 15N20 and 1080 carbon steels along with nickel, Shane has created damascus with a depth of grays, silvers, and blacks rarely found. Both the blade and step down are inlaid with 24kt gold. The carbon steel handle has been antique gun blued and has a Greek Key pattern inlaid around the revealed window. The never ending pattern symbolizes eternity. Gothic fleur-de-lis are inlaid in 24kt gold at the front and rear. One fleur-de-lis acts and the automatic blade release. The right window frame reveals an engraved Persian messenger galloping on a horse, entering Sparta. According to the story of Leonidas, the messenger demanded that Sparta submit to Xerxes I, King of the Persian Empire. The horse's bridal and the messenger's crown are inlaid in 24kt gold. In his outstretched right hand, the messenger holds a foreboding threat of three skulls suspended by a golden rope. The left window frame is an engraved close-up of the three skulls. Each of the skulls wears a golden crown. The detailed rope is also inlaid in 24kt gold. The background displays a meticulously engraved Greek temple. After delivering his threat, the messenger quickly met his demise at the hands of King Leonidas. The screws throughout have been engraved and are heat colored to match the inlaid gold. 15N20 carbon steel liners have been textured and heat blued. The backbar has been engraved in a Greek Key pattern. The engraving continues on the inside of the backbar and is completed with Shane's mark, "ST". Silky smooth action with a very satisfying click upon engagement. The blade can be opened either manually or by pressing the gold release. Description by Bladegallery.