Larry Fuegen Custom Knife AKI 2022 “Mongol” Sterling Silver Trimmed with 14Kt Gold Copper and Sole Authorship Damascus Friction Folder

American Blade Smith Mastersmith Larry Fuegen hand crafted "Mongol" for the 2022 Art Knife Invitational Show. This unique friction folder was inspired by the Mongol warriors from the 13th century. These fierce warriors, with their horses and bows, were an unstoppable force that controlled lands from the Pacific Ocean on the east to the Mediterranean Sea on the west. Many elements of the Mongol warrior have been incorporated into this folder. The helmet is made from hand-formed Sterling Silver and is trimmed with 14Kt Gold. The original neck guards were often made from leather, with metal studs and plates. Larry Fuegen chose to use copper with 14Kt Gold to create the unique neck guard for this helmet. The helmet is topped with a carved blued steel horse hair tassel. The stag handle is carved to represent a heavy fur cape, and the face is carved Mammoth with Fossil Walrus teeth, 14Kt Rose Gold tongue and Hematite eyes. Sterling Silver and 14Kt Gold were used for the throat guard and arm gurads. Hand formed copper bolsters and belts have a brown patina with the 14Kt Gold trim. A fileworked steel spacer and Satinless Steel liners complete the handle. The 5 1/2 inch forged random pattern Damascus blade is a style used by the Mongols and has over 24 inches of inilaid 24Kt Gold wire. The display base is Bocote wood and carved African Blackwood representing a stylized Mongol Bow. Overall Length is 13 1/4". Larry hand crafter over 130 individual pieces to complete this folder, not counting patterns, forms and jigs to make this piece. All work done by maker, Larry Fuegen, ABS Mastersmith. Larry Fuegen is the only American Custom Knife maker to have his work featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum.