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Persian Art Blade

Dave Stephens

By Dave Stephens,
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Dave Stephens

Dave Stephens

Posted
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Hi All --

 

Here's my latest. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out.

 

13" OAL, 7" Blade

Multi-bar damascus construction (about 500 layers) 15n20/1095

Textured/Patinated Brass and Damascus fittings

Ironwood handle

 

Click on images for larger versions.

 

Cheers,

 

Dave

 

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fwsnHWv_9DKyXknUvA8xUA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQMCOikqI/AAAAAAAABC0/rR4xMfjSBvg/s800/CIMG0365.JPG" height="800" width="587" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BcXe3wUs9FfKInfwWuuSFA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQMzyhu8I/AAAAAAAABC4/IOCGh3wkqd4/s800/CIMG0368.JPG" height="800" width="747" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Sg-OGzGdEqyP-SJvd56nhA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQNRg6MxI/AAAAAAAABC8/OERIp-k-jI8/s800/CIMG0369.JPG" height="615" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/km2pEODZeSlGGuU5_mKmCw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQOMUGX9I/AAAAAAAABDA/aU4fCzuS6kQ/s800/CIMG0371.JPG" height="800" width="682" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vCA7_LYYRb4NO9KCF_kMFQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQQG2ie7I/AAAAAAAABDM/jRsJq3pA0lo/s800/CIMG0375.JPG" height="619" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MO1HBBybQWx2IQPk7zBG3Q?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQRhDMX8I/AAAAAAAABDU/7571JkoBKl4/s800/CIMG0364.JPG" height="416" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/GR4WTbVCTpjGwKxjnkQ8AQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQSGM96gI/AAAAAAAABDY/zwlPw1nEAzE/s800/CIMG0381.JPG" height="240" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table> The orginal concept sketch vs. the finished product. I changed the carving on the handle a bit, but otherwise a pretty good match I think.

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jp8aKiJltJfd5yn4lmG2Bw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQShE-8wI/AAAAAAAABDc/MdOtBrjSJUI/s800/CIMG0385.JPG" height="415" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0dHo_y6vtPKQziWqXnFsrg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQTMrFgbI/AAAAAAAABDg/-XDItBnc_mM/s800/CIMG0386.JPG" height="369" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

 

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wyO-USM1V5tbItHK0OIPCA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_H2LYpmX7-hY/TRfQT4XibjI/AAAAAAAABDk/666BHDMW0mg/s800/CIMG0387.JPG" height="499" width="800" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/DaveStephens907/PersianArt?feat=embedwebsite">Persian Art</a></td></tr></table>

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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelt

http://stephensforge.com

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Bob Ouellette

Bob Ouellette

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Nice. I really like the heavily etched damascus fittings.

Bob O

 

"When I raise my flashing sword, and my hand takes hold on judgment, I will take vengeance upon mine enemies, and I will repay those who haze me. Oh, Lord, raise me to Thy right hand and count me among Thy saints."

 

My Website

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Scott Mack

Scott Mack

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Dave that rocks! funny how what you thought was a goof turned out great. Scott

Quemadmoeum gladuis neminem occidit, occidentis telum est. (a sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer's hands.) Lucius Annaeus Seneca

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MassArtTom

MassArtTom

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Posted

Awesome dude! I really love the blade and the habaki, and the craft of the entire blade is awesome. I do have some critiques aesthetically, the guard/bolsters and handle don't quite flow correctly with the blade and habaki, you've got very rounded and soft objects clashing with very hard, precise and sharp lines, so I feel like they're different objects, versus a continuous object. Like I said, this thing is beautiful, but I think with a little different approach on the back end, it would be pretty much flawless!

Tempest Craft

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Dave Stephens

Dave Stephens

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Awesome dude! I really love the blade and the habaki, and the craft of the entire blade is awesome. I do have some critiques aesthetically, the guard/bolsters and handle don't quite flow correctly with the blade and habaki, you've got very rounded and soft objects clashing with very hard, precise and sharp lines, so I feel like they're different objects, versus a continuous object. Like I said, this thing is beautiful, but I think with a little different approach on the back end, it would be pretty much flawless!

 

Thanks Tom.

 

Fair criticism. I was trying to have a complimentary contrast between the rounded and shart elements, but I may not have pulled it off.

 

I was sort of attempting to capture some of the qualities of Virgil England's work. He often has sharp elements and rounded elements that seem to work both in contrast but in harmony. Here's an example:

 

Stone-Wasp.jpg

 

Of course, I ain't Virgil England!!

 

Cheers!

 

--Dave

-----------------------------------------------

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelt

http://stephensforge.com

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VaughnT

VaughnT

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Personally, I think you're design looks a lot better than that V.England piece. A bug? Really? The blade is wonderful, but why would I want to grab onto a bug?

 

I can see the conflict with the sharp and soft elements of the knife. That's the first thing that caught my eye, to be honest, but I thought that was your intent. A bit mor angularity to the more round elements would have brought the entire thing together.

 

A far sight better than I can do, though.

When reason fails...

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MassArtTom

MassArtTom

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Hah, yea Virgil's stuff is pretty unique, I really like what he does, you certainly didnt do a bad job, it just maybe needs a little tweaking! To be honest, if you're interested in a more sculptural aspect of your blades, you should do some figure sculpting, it will teach you worlds about the flow of 3D object and how your eye observes how shapes and forms, hard and soft, interact with each other.

Tempest Craft

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Dave Stephens

Dave Stephens

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Tom --

 

I do regret not having more formal art training. I think you art majors that hit JD's bladesmithing class start out light years ahead of most of us. Craftsmanship and the use of tools is something that anyone can learn pretty quickly with the right instruction. Learning how to design is something that takes a long time (longer for those of us with minimal intrinsic talent).

 

-Dave

-----------------------------------------------

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelt

http://stephensforge.com

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MassArtTom

MassArtTom

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Posted

Tom --

 

I do regret not having more formal art training. I think you art majors that hit JD's bladesmithing class start out light years ahead of most of us. Craftsmanship and the use of tools is something that anyone can learn pretty quickly with the right instruction. Learning how to design is something that takes a long time (longer for those of us with minimal intrinsic talent).

 

-Dave

 

Well they're both crafts, just different bits parts of it. :P You can learn to draw and sculpt just as well as anyone else, you've already got plenty of successful work in the round and it making awesome (and inspirational) blades on here man. If you just change the subject, the same skills still apply, you've already got the key components to do it, which is highly detail oriented observational skills and being able to conceptualize a 3D object, the rest is just some practice, and tools and materials are cheap in comparison to what we do here by a long ways, so it might be something to fiddle with in your non-blade making free time? I'm certainly not saying that its necessary, it just gives a different view and some ideas to work with that you might find interesting!

Tempest Craft

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Kevin Colwell

Kevin Colwell

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Dave - I missed this one due to travel and being snow-bound.

 

Excellent design, I really like the shape/flow of everything.

 

I am not much of an artist, but I am trying. I am, however, a whole lot of a psychologist with a ridiculous amount of training in perception.

 

One thing that Viril's work does to keep the flow, the rounder elements are always inside the boundaries of visual space created by the more angular elements. Imagine if all of this were superimposed on graph paper, the outer boundaries of the whole thing are always the angular elements, with the rounded portions not "sticking out" past the defined space. This way, the rounded portions are not perceived as being separate units, but part of the larger angular whole.

 

When the rounded elements are outside the bounds of the other piece, their different form makes the be perceived as a separate object (imagine how a ring looks different from the rest of a finger where knuckles look like part of the finger and they are both rounded elevations along the edge of a finger). This is also why handles that stick out farther at the top than the spine of the blade are not aesthetically pleasing.

 

This all comes from Gestalt psychology and the way visual fields work. Just a thought, it will always work, though. It may or may not help you in the future.

 

i want to reiterate - BEAUTIFUL work, I am just sharing a bit of the laws of visual perception in case you want it.

 

kc

please visit my website http://www.professorsforge.com/

 

“Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living things, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said then and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.” E. V. Debs

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Dan Hurtado

Dan Hurtado

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Tom --

 

I do regret not having more formal art training. I think you art majors that hit JD's bladesmithing class start out light years ahead of most of us. Craftsmanship and the use of tools is something that anyone can learn pretty quickly with the right instruction. Learning how to design is something that takes a long time (longer for those of us with minimal intrinsic talent).

 

-Dave

Dave, I feel your pain, although probably much more severly. I'm an engineer, and tend to get hung up on the details while missing the big picture. I have enough sense to appreciate what others make, but when I try to "dream up" something on my own, it usually ends up looking like a screwdriver.

 

Impressive looking knife. I've always liked Persian daggers.

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