A few years ago, while at the Woodland Park Arts Festival, I met an absolutely amazing knife Knapper named Russell. His work stopped me in my tracks. Every part of his knives is handmade — the glass blade itself and the handle — and the craftsmanship is truly extraordinary. The piece I bought still takes my breath away. Yes, it’s a spectacular glass knife, but also that handle… just look at it. The detail, balance, and artistry make it feel more like a sculptural work of art than anything else.
My girlfriend and fellow glass artist, Tracy, had been making glass for Russell’s knives, but she couldn’t make all of the glass slabs he uses for knapping. She asked if I’d be willing to make some for him — and of course, I was thrilled. I jumped right in and started making bases without knowing the COE of glass she was using, the sizes he preferred, or even the colors he liked. I just went for it. I ended up making a batch in COE 96, and while they’re absolutely beautiful, they’re also a bit on the bland side compared to the finished knives. Still, it was exciting to see them come together and imagine what they might become in his hands.
Glass knapping is an ancient art form that goes back thousands of years, long before metal tools existed. Early cultures used knapping to shape obsidian and stone into knives, arrowheads, and tools by carefully striking and pressure-flaking the material. Seeing that same process applied to modern glass still amazes me — taking a flat slab and transforming it into something so refined and intentional feels almost magical. Here are photos of the knives Russell made for me. This first glass knife is actually huge, and it’s absolutely stunning. It’s hard to believe something this beautiful came from a simple slab of glass. I loved it so much that I gave it to my husband — and he loves it.
This next glass knife is a deep, amethyst-like purple with a richness that feels almost jewel-toned. The color alone makes it a standout piece, and it’s hard not to admire the craftsmanship that went into shaping it. Of course, this one found a permanent home with me.
This next glass knife is made from dark blue aventurine glass, and it has such a rich, starry depth to it. The subtle sparkle running through the blade gives it a quiet drama that I’m completely drawn to. I loved this one so much that I decided to give it to my son for his 40th birthday. He means the world to me, and I hope he loves it as much as I do.
These next two glass knives are a bold combination of red and black, and they make such a striking pair. The colors feel powerful and dramatic, giving each knife a strong presence all its own. The moment I saw them finished, I knew exactly who they were meant for — my brothers Ron and Fred. I love my brothers dearly, and it makes me so happy to give them pieces that are as unique and meaningful as they are.
I dropped off the knife blanks at one of Russell’s shows, and honestly, seeing them surrounded by so many incredible finished knives was pretty amazing. His work is powerful, beautifully crafted, and truly one of a kind. If you get the chance, please visit his website and take some time to explore his knives — they’re works of art, and well worth seeing.
I dropped off the knife blanks at one of his shows, and it was incredible to see them surrounded by so many of his finished knives. The craftsmanship and variety on display were truly impressive. Please visit his website and take some time to explore his work — his knives are beautifully made and well worth seeing.
Russell is also an accomplished author. As a thank you for making all of the knife blanks, he generously gifted me two of his books, which was incredibly kind and thoughtful. It meant a lot to me, and it just speaks to the type of artist — and person — he is.
This entire experience has reminded me why I love collaborating with other artists so much. Seeing simple glass blanks transformed into powerful, expressive knives using an ancient technique is truly inspiring. Russell’s talent as a knapper, photographer, and author is remarkable, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a small part of that creative journey. It’s always special when glass brings people together, and this project has been a perfect example of how art, history, and craftsmanship intersect in meaningful ways. I recently gave him another 15 or so blanks for him to sell and I can’t wait to see what he creates next. Once those are finished, I’ll be sharing another blog so you can see what he does with COE 90 glass.
If you would like to see more of my fused glass work, please refer to my website Elegant Fused Glass by Karen. If you get a chance, check out all my site and my Elegant Fused Glass by Karen YouTube. If you would like to stay abreast of what I’m up-to and learn a little more about jewelry, check out our newsletter. It is published the last day of each month.
Keeping my kilns warm,
Karen
