Japanese swords are legendary. The finest of these blades, which were reserved for emperors and nobles, bore hand-engraved fittings featuring motifs of personal significance to the wearer. Particularly valuable pieces were further adorned with inlays of gold, silver, or copper. In a book of historical ornaments, Richard Kappeller and Ferlach-based engraver Daniel Karagiannis came upon a series of designs for sixteen magnificent end caps. Fascinated by the elegant and expressive style, they conceived of the idea for their own exclusive series of knives that interpreted these historical patterns in a modern way. The Artis Full Integral served as the basis for the creation of sixteen individual pieces with different handles, each bearing a unique hand engraving. Inspired by the Japanese design, the motifs extend over the hand guard, spine, and pommel of the knives, and were augmented in Karagiannis‘ own style. This collaboration between knifemaker and engraver proved fruitful, producing sixteen exquisite pieces of art that are a fusion of Far Eastern flair and an Austrian touch.

The Process

1. Design

The design is artistically extended in preparation for hand engraving. Elaborate backgrounds are added in the case of no. 1 and no. 10.

2. Knifemaking

After the knives are crafted in the integral fashion – that is, in a single piece – the handles are recisely fitted and fixed with dowel pins. The knives are then honed and the handles removed.

3. Engraving

The knives are engraved in detail according to the designs, and the precious metal inlays prepared. After hardening at 1060°C, the handles are finally fitted and securely glued on.

4. Finish

Lastly, the blades are finely honed, the handles polished and oiled, precious metals inlaid, and the motifs plastically cut – a highly elaborate process, but one that produces stunning results.