Charles Kain

I focus on outspoken unique works of art across a wide spectrum of design. With a strong emphasis on the unusual I strive to explore a variety of myths abounding throughout this world; using edged weapons in an attempt to recapture the essence of the myth.

The knives viewable below illustrate one thrust of my artistic intent. Specifically in two series of Art Knives, the DarkLight and Mystic series, I seek to recreate the special feel of each myth explored. Each knife is uniquely influenced by the myth it represents.

The DarkLight series is focused on developing an understanding of the Demonic myths which abound throughout this world. Working with folding art knives I hope to develop a deeper understanding of what these myths reveal; not only of the myth itself but also of those who are influenced by the myth.

The Mystic series focuses on world wide myths of magic using beings. Using fixed bladed art knives I seek to grasp more of the nature of the illusive reality behind these shadowy creatures as well as to provide a venue for the greater understanding of each myth.

Ras al-Ghul were demons who haunted graveyards in wait for a body carelessly discarded or one buried without proper ceremony. When such occurred the Ras al-Ghul would inhabit the body and go fourth to do great harm.

Ras al-Ghul, the knife, carried a blade of 5 bars twisted damascus, Robert Egglering mosaic damascus front and back bolster and Copper-Niobium grips. The back spacer was twist damascus inset with 6 sapphires and the knife had 9 white lip MOP inlays including one inlay set in the release button. The liners were fileworked, the blade, bolsters and spacer were nitre blued; the grips and liners were anodized.

Ras al-Ghul was an automatic design.

The Bane Shide were other-worldly spirits of those who had died in a violent manner or had been betrayed. They are said to haunt their death place and to see one is to die; but they also serve as a warning to avoid that which could be treacherous.

The knife Bane Shide was handled in two different mosaic damascus patterns, boasted 13 gold lip MOP inlays including one on the release button. The blade was a 5 bar composite twist pattern and the spacer was twist pattern damascus. The liners and spacer were fileworked. The entire knife was niter blued .

Bane Shide was the first of my DarkLights to be made as an automatic.

Ammut is the third in my DarkLight series and represents the Egyptian demoness of the same name. Ammut, the demon, resided in the Halls of Maat who would judge the newly deceased. Those whose hearts were too heavy would be turned over to Ammut - who would then devour their souls.

Ammut, the knife, carried a nitre blued damascus blade with a unique pattern representing the Egyptian drapery design found in antique jewelry. The blade had inset into it an electrum eye. The grips of Ammut were a unique patterned Mokume made especially for this knife and Gibeon meteorite blued to a purple/bronze. The grips carried 10 Abalone cabochons and the back grip carried an inlayed damascus cabochon with a pattern matching the blade. The spine of Ammut was engraved with hieroglyphics and blued to match.

Number two in the DarkLight series, Rakasha explores the myth of the Indian demons of similar name. Rakashas blade was 6 bar twisted damascus alternating in high and low density layers, mosaic damascus front and back bolsters and mokume grips with black lip pearl inlays. The bolsters and grips were segmented to create the illusion of partial formation. This followed the legend of the Rakasha being able to take any form but often unable to choose only one form and so would appear to be part one thing and part another.

Demon started the DarkLight series. Demon was formed from a blade of 5 bar twisted damascus, mosaic damascus bolsters, mosaic damascus grips with gold lip pearl inlays and a brooding eye inlayed with abalone. All in all there were 17 inlays in Demon and the eye was made up of three pieces.

Witch - Mystic Series

Witch was the beginning of the Mystic series. Witch was formed from twisted nickel damascus and forged to shape. The grips were mild steel layered on top of nickel silver. Witch was bright polished and nitre blued while the steel grips were cold blued for contrast.

Warlock - Mystic Series

Warlock was a double edged fullered dagger of 1095 and O-1 steel. The handle was buffalo horn, fluted in two directions and ivory with fileworked titanium spacers. The guard was O-1 cut out in an oval. Warlocks sheath was buffalo horn, paduak and ivory and contained a secret compartment within it.

Sorceress was created using twisted 1095 and nickel spaced by a thick bar of 1084 to create the wide stripes. The grips were titanium and mokume and were spaced from the tang using two titanium feet for each grip section. The blade ring curved into the tang and helped shape the forward part of the grip.

Magi was created using 99 layers of twisted 1084 and nickel. Each side of the grips were formed from 5 circles of brush finished and anodized titanium and 5 circles of antique patina Mokume. The style of Magi represents the simplicity with which this type of wise man lived while the damascus pattern serves to illustrate the complexities of his vocation.