The Embellishers: A look back
by Jim Sornberger
Throughout most of our modern knifemaking history there have been those odd few that have taken the challenge to bring back a lost or nearly lost art form like damascus, laminated or san mai techniques, and mokume. Many are also decorating their work with techniques like engraving, carving, scrimshaw, and wire inlay in metal, ivory, bone and wood. Look at where we are today, in a short period of time (less than 60 years) modern knifemakers have advanced to where they are creating some of the finest knives, steels and embellishment the world has ever seen, a feat possibly unparalleled in history.
This article appears in the October 2021 issue of KNIFE Magazine. Premium Online Members can read the whole thing by clicking the blue button below.