This blade is a remake of a dagger I did in 2011. Same handle and guard material – desert ironwood and shibuici – and same massive appearance – 9 mm blade thickness, 28 mm handle, 600 gr weight -. Different lines and shapes; the guard and the damascus pattern are much more eyes catching.
The damascus pattern is composed by four columns, two mirrored two. In the cutting edge a thin and wavering explosion pattern (UDH 15n20 and LM+1.2842), in the middle a complex explosion pattern with eight different steel C120+1.3537+1.2714+1.2842+1.6565+C65+UDH 15n20 and Arne. Between the two different columns are lines of C120 and C55. The pattern represents fire, a dynamic movement of flames and it decreases near the tip. In the middle of the blade messy and thin lines represent sparks.
Guard and hilts are made of shibuici alloy, citrine quartz stones represent coals, they are hold by a mokume (Cu+nickel silver) wire. Wire is not welded but hammered into shibuici , and you can notice this elegant mingling of different materials also in the scubbard hilt. Wiring and hammering by goldsmith Michele Griggio.
Pomel is a damascus bolt and his pattern has thin lines. It represents sparks and you can find the same pattern in the bolt under the display installation
The display installation has a base of fossil wood stone and a forged plate (Aisi 304) with damascus studs, a leaf shaped forged arm (Aisi 321) and a leather scabbard. There is a symbolic symmetry between a piece of wood processed to become a mineral and a mineral processed in order to become steel. If you follow this symmetry you can see every part of this manufact become a single.
Few words about fire: often you can see it associated with evil or punishment. Try to remember when you were used to enter in the church and watch the candle fire. It was spiritual, closely powerful, seductive and not bad at all. Ignis divinus is latin and means “divine fire” and it is also a book title.
