Memories of Tanzania Knife
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TXTravis
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Memories of Tanzania Knife
I know this isn't tomato related, but...
Just got my professional shots back this morning of this dagger I made for some special friends.
We used to live near each other in Tanzania, so nearly every piece of this project has a Tanzania connection. The damascus pattern evokes carvings found on door frames along the coast. Handle is African Blackwood, a Tanzania native tree. The bronze pommel is patterned after spikes found on fancy doors in Zanzibar. The woven beads are common in Maasai jewelry, and in this case are woven in a zig zag motif common to Islamic art. The sheath throat also calls to mind arches of doorways in mosques and Islamic areas of the country. The goat leather came from a tannery near Mt Kilimanjaro that was down the road from me. I picked it up probably 15 yrs ago and have been saving it for something special. Even the ridges that hold the beads in place have some significance; they're made from hair ties I stole from my daughter, who was actually conceived at these friends' house while they were away and we were house sitting. That might be TMI...
Anyway, they're special folks. When they asked for a knife "to remember our time in Tanzania together by" I think they were thinking a kitchen parer or something, but this is what they're getting. I have a feeling they'll be surprised.
Just got my professional shots back this morning of this dagger I made for some special friends.
We used to live near each other in Tanzania, so nearly every piece of this project has a Tanzania connection. The damascus pattern evokes carvings found on door frames along the coast. Handle is African Blackwood, a Tanzania native tree. The bronze pommel is patterned after spikes found on fancy doors in Zanzibar. The woven beads are common in Maasai jewelry, and in this case are woven in a zig zag motif common to Islamic art. The sheath throat also calls to mind arches of doorways in mosques and Islamic areas of the country. The goat leather came from a tannery near Mt Kilimanjaro that was down the road from me. I picked it up probably 15 yrs ago and have been saving it for something special. Even the ridges that hold the beads in place have some significance; they're made from hair ties I stole from my daughter, who was actually conceived at these friends' house while they were away and we were house sitting. That might be TMI...
Anyway, they're special folks. When they asked for a knife "to remember our time in Tanzania together by" I think they were thinking a kitchen parer or something, but this is what they're getting. I have a feeling they'll be surprised.
Last edited by TXTravis on Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A seed not planted is guaranteed not to grow.
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Amateurinawe
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Re: Memories of Tanzania Knife
[mention]TXTravis[/mention] wow, that is an incredible piece of craftsmanship. You are very talented and I'm sure your friends will be very touched.
The behaviour of light means you observe me as i was then, and not as I am now.
I cannot change history, so I do hope i gave you a good impression of myself
I cannot change history, so I do hope i gave you a good impression of myself
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bower
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Re: Memories of Tanzania Knife
Beautiful work, Travis! 
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
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worth1
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Re: Memories of Tanzania Knife
Nice dagger.
Last edited by worth1 on Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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MissS
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Re: Memories of Tanzania Knife
Well that is just gorgeous, magnificent really. You did an amazing job creating this knife and your friends will be elated to receive it.
~ Patti ~