A new direction in jewelry making from Jesse

These extraordinary pendants are made from rare richly colored pieces of fossilized walrus ivory dug up from eroding coast line by Yupik and Inupiat Eskimos from North Western Alaska.
The mottled white material at the center is called tapioca because of its appearance.

Finished: The Sgian Dubh

This masterpiece of knife making skill is finished.
It features a handle of Fossilized Walrus Ivory sourced from eroding coast line in Western Alaska, completely mineralized and distinctly colored with dark stripes. Such color in this fossilized material is very rare.
The natural shape of the fossil tusk was slightly flattened on one side, and Jesse used this to create a design that allowed the handle to fit flush with the body of the wearer. The Celtic knot work was applied to the curved side, sparing the flat side.
This Scots knife is dedicated to my wife and her family MacKay whose family roots are in the highlands.

Progress on the Sgian Dubh

Jesse has finished polishing the blade on this knife, fashioned the silver sheath and is just about to complete the carvings on the fossilized walrus ivory handle and execute engraving on the sheath.

A Stunning New Dirk from Jesse Brennan

This Dirk is styled after the early period of Scot's Dirks with a very light weight, slender and sharp blade and an ornate handle of fossilized walrus bone. The color of the Fossil Bone that Jesse chose adds to the overall beauty of the handle and gives depth and context to the skillful fluting and carved knot work.

I have taken multiple photographs of this project as it started with a hand forged blade, a trip to Mark Knapp's knife maker's supply store for the handle material and the careful carving of the handle. Jesse has fabricated every item on this knife including the leather scabbard, the silver buckle and the Celtic Rose that adorns the pommel.

This Dirk establishes Jesse once again as a skilled artist and artisan of the first rank. I am proud to be able to add this beautiful piece to my collection.

Jesse wishes to express his thanks to James D. Forman whose excellent monograph "The Scottish Dirk" contained descriptions and photographs that inspired him to make this knife.

Shape of things to come: A sgian dubh  is next on Jesse's agenda.

Here is a sneak peek at the blade - forged last night and annealed today.