If you ever have the opportunity to visit a knife show, you will encounter a dizzying array of work. You will see elegant folding knives suitable for a cocktail party, rugged hunting knives built for hard work in the field, tactical knives with military flavor, and, if you’re lucky, perhaps a few art knives. What is an art knife?
I would argue that it is a custom knife whose aesthetics outweigh its function. It is an artistic statement more than it is a tool, a creation that speaks to the choices of its creator more than it does to the physical characteristics of a working implement. Art is well known to be a matter of subjective interpretation; it is all but impossible to imagine a single definition that addresses every possible expression. But I would argue that this definition at least begins to explain what an art knife is.
It is worth emphasizing that in my opinion, it is still capable of actual use as a knife. There is something inherent about the function of a knife that permits it to be called one; without this capacity for a practical function, I would argue that it is no longer a knife, but rather a knife-shaped object. In a case where such an object is elevated by technical and aesthetic mastery, I would argue that it is a sculpture in the form of a knife, rather than an actual art knife.
To earn the rank of Master Smith from the American Bladesmiths Society, one must present a full set of five art knives. The centerpiece of this set is a particular type of dagger, and it is the only knife prescribed by the test itself (the remaining four are entirely up to the bladesmith’s choice). This set of knives, and the dagger in particular, are the Master Smith’s “masterpiece,” or in other words the knives that literally earn him official recognition of his mastery.
My Master Smith dagger can be seen in the Hessian Quillon Dagger. This dagger can be perceived as an art knife. While it retains its functionality, I paid particular attention to the aesthetics including a design based on harmonious proportions, selecting (and in some cases, made) materials that would dance with the form of the knife, and laboring over each and every line and detail to ensure that it was as perfect as my two hands could make it. The dagger is still very much a real dagger, but it also stands on its own merits as a beautiful object.
This push dagger, which I called “Honey Hawk” is another piece that I consider an art knife. I include this as an example to illustrate that does not always need to be ostentatious or flamboyant; the lines and details of Honey Hawk are simple and fairly quiet, but the gold accents, carved wood, and subtle contours of the blade make it obvious that this piece is an art knife.
This chef knife might arguably blur the boundary between a functional as the usual ways while also being used for art. In fact, this knife was commissioned as—and does currently serve on an every day basis. I include it as the category of art knife because the aesthetic details of the piece stretch so far beyond its functionality that to me, it seems to fit the bill.
So, what is an art knife to you?
Feel free to reach out to me to share your thoughts and even discuss commissioning a custom blade!
About The Author
Zack Jonas was born and raised in Massachusetts in the 1980’s and is still a New Englander today. With his growing love for art over the years, he took an introductory bladesmithing class at MASSart. It was there that he learned one of his most valuable lessons, which is that everyone has some insight worth learning. Today, he is a full-time bladesmith and feels incredibly fortunate to have found his calling.