Jade Blade Progression

Made this for my Bro's 50th b-day. Yukon "Snow" Jade full tang blade, Brazilian Rosewood Scales, Abalone inlay
Yukon “Snow” Jade full tang blade, Brazilian Rosewood Scales, Abalone inlay

Among the earliest known jade artifacts excavated from prehistoric sites (6,000-4.000BC) are  knives that were discovered in China.  As metal-working technologies became available, the beauty of jade made it valuable for ornaments and decorative objects.

Today’s use of wood, bone, stone, ceramic, gems and metal provide a myriad of mediums which accent this beautiful stone that is Jade.

For this project I choose to use Yukon “Snow” Jade for the blade, Brazilian Rosewood, 430 Stainless Steel dowels capped with abalone inlay.

The following pictures show the progression of this recent knife. Hope you enjoy.

Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Knife blank design traced on 1/4″ slab of Yukon “Snow” Jade.

 

Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Jade knife blank hand cut with Foredom hand tool

 

Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Knife blank is cut, carved and dowel holes drilled.

 

Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
The blade has been sanded thin, Brazilian Rosewood scales cut and drilled, hollow grind bevel drawn on blade.

 

Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Blade thinned and hollow ground.
Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Jade blade polished, stainless steel dowels and abalone inlays cut. Brazilian Rosewood scales sanded … ready for final assembly.
Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Handle assembled and curing
Oceans Art Jade Knife by Drew Arnold
Finished 9″ contemporary “Skinner’s” blade