Damascus Ancient Art Dagger - Mark Banfield

A Mark Banfield Opus: The One-of-a-Kind Ancient-Style Art Dagger

• Maker:  Mark Banfield
• Overall Length:  42.5cm / 16.7in
• Blade Length:  25.5cm / 10in
• Blade: Damascus Forged to Flow Like Water
• Guard and Handle: Elegant Carved Guard and Exquisite Walrus Ivory

Embark on a journey into the heart of bespoke artistry with this extraordinary Ancient-Style Art Dagger, a singular creation by the celebrated Canadian bladesmith, Mark Banfield. A maestro of his craft, Mark's works transcend mere functionality, each piece a testament to his mastery of form and material.

• A Symphony in Steel: The blade, a marvel of hand-forged Damascus steel, reveals a mesmerizing dance of light and shadow. Its dynamic pattern, reminiscent of the fleeting ripples left in the wake of a soaring eagle, is a testament to Mark's unparalleled skill and artistic vision. Every curve and contour of this blade speaks of countless hours spent meticulously refining its form, resulting in a weapon that is both visually striking and functionally superb.
• A Masterclass in Organic Elegance :The artistry doesn't stop at the blade's edge. The handguard and pommel, forged from ancient iron, boast a weathered patina that whispers tales of forgotten ages. The handguard, sculpted with the graceful elegance of a flowering branch, seamlessly transitions into the exquisite walrus ivory hilt. Each layer of the hilt's intricate leaf motif seems to unfurl before your eyes, culminating in a meticulously carved budding flower at the pommel – a symbol of life and renewal.
  • Completing this symphony of artistry is a custom-made scabbard, adorned with carvings that echo the dagger's design, ensuring that every element of this masterpiece is in perfect harmony.
• A Legacy of Unrivaled Craftsmanship: This Ancient-Style Art Dagger is more than a mere weapon; it is a testament to the enduring power of human creativity, a wearable sculpture forged in the fires of passion and honed by a lifetime of dedication. An heirloom destined to be cherished and admired for generations to come, it represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of functional art that transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary.

Makers Biography: 

Canadian bladesmith Mark Banfield specializes in crafting unique, hand-forged knives. He rigorously tests each blade both during and after production to ensure quality before offering them for sale. Mark believes a well-designed knife combines functionality and aesthetics, emphasizing that superior steel and skilled craftsmanship don't always result in beautiful knives. He dedicates significant time to developing new designs, aiming to create graceful and functional knives.

Mark prefers using natural materials for his handles, with a particular fondness for fancy hardwoods, especially burls. He exclusively works with carbon steels and forges his own Damascus steel. Whether creating a fine art knife or a simple blade, he selects materials that enhance the design. All handle and sheath work is done personally by Mark, often featuring intricately carved motifs like vines and leaves.

His knives are predominantly handmade using tools such as files, scrapers, and sandpaper. Mark forges by hand, starting with a 4lb hammer and then a 2lb hammer. Each blade undergoes a meticulous process, including normalization at least three times before annealing. He removes scale with an angle grinder and sometimes uses a traditional scraping tool to thin the blade. After sanding the blade to about 150 grit with a belt sander, he hardens it, followed by double or triple tempering. The blades are then tested for edge holding and toughness. Mark prefers hand satin finishes over mirror polishes and often employs differential heat treatments to create dramatic temper lines, which he appreciates for revealing the blade's quality.