24Kt. Celtic Trinity Knot

[Tim Adlam]

This is a nice piece by Don Cowles that almost borders on miniature.
The tools give a comparison to actual size.
Same design on reverse bolster.
Commissioned by a mutual customer.
We debated whether to do it like this or with a black background.
I think it looks better this way, but the option is still open.
It was fun to do as well as being a layout challenge.

Tim



Detail:

[Ray Cover Jr]

Looks nice Tim. Your right about Celtic knotwork being tricky to layout. I have drawn and cut so much scroll work over the years I can almost do it in my sleep but Celtic knots make me stop and think.

BTW, nice knife too Don. That would make a first class little trout knife to be mated with a fine handmade fly rod. Of course, the two would have to have matching engraving.

Ray

[Joe Mason]

Very nice, I like it just the way it is. Nice knife Don, I like MOP.

Joe

[Don Cowles]

Great job, Tim- and thanks for the kind words, guys. I am sure our customer will like it!

Ray, I've made quite a few fly rods myself, but they can't hold a candle to the work I've seen from you.

[ron p. nott]

Hi Tim ... Beautiful work I like it ..

[Ray Cover Jr]

Don,

I am starting to get the idea that the two of us could probably get along on a trout stream. Both banjo pickers and both rod builders. We need to go fidshing some time.

[Don Cowles]

Ray, the last time I saw you was at the Wolverine show in, I think, 1995. Time to come to Michigan again! Plenty of trout here.

I just got this note from our customer, who asked that I pass along his comments:

"I tried to sign up with the forum that Tim posted the pictures on,
but I am having some problems. If I can't get signed on, please
tell everyone how happy we both are with yours and Tim's efforts.
We are both humbled at seeing what two craftsmen can do and we are priviledged to be able to keep the results of your work. I think you and Tim have created an heirloom. I know that Emma plans to use the knife at her desk on a daily basis."

[Jeremy Krammes]

Beautiful piece. Great collaboration!

Jeremy

[Ray Cover Jr]

Tim and Don,

Doesn't that make you feel great when you customer really likes what you did for them. The customers that take the time to call or write and say "I really like the job you did" are far and few between. But when one does do that it inspires me beyond belief.

[Tim Adlam]

Very gratifying Ray, and thanks all for the compliments.

This was one of those projects where you feel like you were part of a team of chefs
cooking up a 5-star gourmet meal!

Customer participation in the process adds something extra and personal to the object...
...don't you think?

It's a great feeling to take a clients concept/idea and translate that into reality for them.

Having their trust in your ability to succeed is humbling.

Tim

[RBSlaughter]

Tim- I love this work. The trinity knot has such a special meaning. Your inlay of it is outstanding. I plan to use it on a dagger project that Kelly Carlson is working on with me. Mine will be scrimmed on white ivory in gold, black, and purple. I have been thinking about using it, (the knot), for quite awhile, and was glad to see someone else though it was a good idea too.. Nice job Tim,and Don.. Best, Rich

[jmknife]

Don was kind enough to post some thoughts from me, but I wanted to personally thank both Don and Tim for a wonderful effort on this knife. They managed to take my original concept and make something beautiful out of it. I am even more impressed with them. because my original concept was so vague. Emma (my wife) has a home office and needs something on her desk to use for light cutting duties. Her right hand is only semi functional, so scissors are not a good option. I asked for something beautiful that could incorporate a Christian symbol. From there, Don and Tim guided me to what you see at the top of this thread.

They produced something that is as beautiful as any of the fine jewelry Emma has, but is still completely functional. I even get to play with the knife by sharpening it occassionally. This knife will be something she will use on a daily basis and will treasure for the rest of her life.

In today's society there are few opportunities to directly work with craftsmen during the creation process. Emma and I are proud to have been involved in this process and are even happier that we get to keep the knife.

Thanks again guys,

John and Emma

[HermanKnives]

Tim,

Nice job there. Dandy little knife too You mentioned in another thread that you collected pipes? Smoking pipes? If so I used to make briar pipes years ago when I smoked one all the time. I even still have some super straight grain briar blocks I saved. Geeez I was into alot of things! Isn't variety good?

Don,

I havent forgotten you just way behind as usual. I do know what I am going to do on your knife you sent me. That green stone inset gave me the idea Just sorry I am so darn slow in my old age LOL.

[Tim Adlam]

Thanks John...and welcome aboard!

Like Rich said...there is a special meaning.

I would like to share something with you all.

I just returned from the funeral for my nephew's daughter...Corrin Anne.
She was born with an undeveloped brain.
She lived and breathed on her own for two hours...then died.
In that short space of time, there was love, photos, baptism and anything else the parents
and family could do to celebrate the existence of this little soul.

The lesson she gave me was about how temporary life is.
The way I comprehend it is that she came and fulfilled her mission...touching our lives in very personal ways.

...But I can't help thinking about the meaning embodied by the Trinity.
...And why this particular project came to me at the time it did, and was finished the day before her birth.

All I can say is that there is more into this work than meets the eye.

I thank Don, John and Emma for being a part of all of this...

Tim

[Tim Adlam]

Tim,

Yeah...I've collected around 300 pipes.
The variety of shapes and styles are truely amazing works of art.
I would like to try my hand at making them someday.
Pipe people are a different breed...
...I appreciate their philosophy on life.

Tim