The design of Nova is deeply symbolic, featuring an octagonal guard and pommel - shapes that are often associated with Christian symbols of rebirth, resurrection, and new beginnings. The floral motif further emphasizes this theme, making it an ideal representation of the first piece I’ve crafted since joining the Knife Makers Guild of Southern Africa (KGSA: www.kgsa.co.za)

In this creation, I explored several new techniques and incorporated a number of unique elements, including my newly designed maker’s mark.

The blade consists of a 15n20 core, enveloped in a wrought iron san mai construction, deeply etched and finished with an iron oxide patina.

The guard follows a basket style, forged from copper, and adorned with intricate, deeply-relieved floral carvings. It is securely attached to the blade with pins that pass through the wrought iron and are peened on the back to firmly hold the basket in place. The rim of the basket is completed with a twisted sterling silver wire.

The handle is a framed tang construction with bronze ferules holding the scales in place, epoxied and mechanical fitted with fine silver domed pins forming the pistil of the flower.

The pommel features two copper plates with a floral motif and fine silver pistil created using chasing and Repoussé techniques. These plates are inlaid into a precisely weighted wrought iron pommel, held securely in place with epoxy and peened over edges to ensure a solid construction.