Barry Lee Hands engraved Warren Osborne folding dagger

Barry Lee Hands

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This piece won "best folder " at the 2013 knifemakers guild show, here is the description from the knife legends website:
http://www.knifelegends.com/Osborne Hands Dagger BL GS.html

Blade Length: 4.00 inches Overall Length: 9 1/2 inches
Closed Length: 5 1/2 inches Sheath/Case: Velcro Pouch

Blade Steel: Mike Norris Stainless Damascus
Bolster/Guard: 416 Stainless
Handle Material: Presentation Grade Black Lip Pearl

Comments: This classic folding dagger, brand new from the 2013 Knife Guild Show in Louisville, KY, is in one of our favorite Warren Osborne patterns, and it is drop-dead gorgeous from every angle. The overall attention to detail and fine machine work on the releases are so precise it’s almost scary, but that’s a large part of what makes an Osborne knife so desirable. Folders do not come any cleaner or more refined than this.

But what really makes this particular folder truly special is the world-class engraving by Master Barry Lee Hands. And there is so much going on in this engraving we thought we would let Barry tell you all about it himself.

This outstanding piece features exceptional presentation-grade black lip pearl inlays and a Damascus bale with a diamond-set rose gold pin.The engraving is my Renaissance leaf pattern executed in 24k yellow, 18k green and 22k pink gold.

This is one of the last of the Renaissance leaf series which will be discontinued after 2013, and it is the only Osborne ever engraved in this pattern.The ornament on the 416 stainless frame is fully sculpted and shaded, and set with White diamonds, green diamonds and pink sapphires.


The design originates in seven multi-colored gold leaves on the rear bolsters, set with sapphires and diamonds, swirling forward onto the black lip pearl, continuing in a swirling pattern executed in thirteen 24k gold leaves moving through the pearl; my exclusive “Gilded Pearl” technique, rarely seen with black pearl.


The design continues onto the front bolsters in a glorious spray of eleven multi-colored gold leaves also set with diamonds and sapphires.The fully developed pattern is encompassed by generous, wide, raised 24k gold borders.

The design reaches its peak in three 24k gold leaves inlaid on the Norris Damascus blade, this unusual treatment is the only example seen of a hardened Damascus blade gold inlaid after the blade has been etched and heat treated. The spine and belly feature rare 24k gold twist borders and the butt is signed on both sides of the bale with Barry’s signature “Two Hands” logo.

 
Last edited:

Ste82

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Oct 22, 2012
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140
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Italy
Wonderfull! Every time i look at your works i am amazed, mostly i think because they look so clear, crisp and at the same time so complicate to achive such a finish...:bow:
 

Hot Knobs

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Nov 2, 2008
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Reno NV.
Barry, that is a gorges piece of work,don't know how you got the gold in the damascus after it was finished but it is neat. Deane
 

KCSteve

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Jun 19, 2007
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Kansas City, MO
You continue to hold the bar up very high Barry!

So, I'm guessing inlaying the leaves into the already hardened blade was the most physically difficult part, but what was the trickiest?
 

Barry Lee Hands

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Feb 7, 2007
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Thanks guys, the multicolor gold , the diamonds and the blade treatments are a unique and effective combination of techniques, I am glad you like it.
 

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