Award Wining Steve Hoel Knife Engraved by Barry Lee Hands
InformationCustom dagger signed on the blade "Steve Hoel Pine Arz." and engraved by Barry Lee Hands. Barry Lee Hands logo is engraved appearing like a pair of up facing hands at the base on one side of the blade. The knife has black lip pearl scales which are deeply engraved and gold inlaid in Barry's famous leaf pattern. The bolsters are also engraved and gold inlaid in the same pattern. the top edge and butt of the case has black and white engraved leaves as does the blade. This knife won the 2024 "FIREARMS ENGRAVERS GUILD OF AMERICA BEST ENGRAVED KNIFE AWARD". Steve Hoel and Barry Lee Hans have joined forces to create several masterpiece level knives. (KN0056)
Condition: Excellent
About the Maker: Steve Hoel made his first fixed blade knife in 1953. In 1974 Steve Hoel ventured to California, where he spent three days in the shop of Bob Loveless and Steve R. Johnson, when they were partners. This was his first real exposure to high quality handmade knives, an experience that gave him a big boost. He also developed a big interest in pocket knives at that time. Shortly thereafter he made his first inter-frame and multi-blade folders. In 1978, he joined the Knifemakers Guild, and one year later he retired and began making knives full time. Steve was one of the first to design his knife shapes for engraving. He worked closely with master engravers including Lynton MacKenzie and Steve Lindsay to develop the engraveable art knife design.
About the Engraver: The beginning of his journey was an apprenticeship as a western bright cut engraver at Gist Engravers in California. While in the employ of Gary Gist, Barry learned the skills required to master the hand-pushed engraving tool under the tutelage of Ethan Jacczak. He then spent some time working and teaching at Silver State Silver in Sparks, Nevada, and it was during that time that Barry's work was displayed in the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. By 1987, Barry accepted a position in Montana where he worked with and learned from Colt factory engravers Steve Huff and Colt Master Engraver Dan Goodwin. In 1991, Barry formed his own firm, Barry Lee Hands Engraving, and began work as a freelance gun and knife engraver. Barry became a vendor to the Winchester and Colt Custom shops, and C Sharps Arms Co., represented GRS/GLENDO at trade shows, and instructed engraving students at GRS and Ithaca Gun Company. Barry continues to offer instruction and private lessons may be arranged (please see the 'Contact' page). Barry received Master Engraver status from the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) in 1996.
Barry has displayed for many years at FEGA’s Gun Engravers Show where he has earned numerous honors for his work. In the years since, Barry has engraved for a veritable Who’s Who of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild including Jerry Fisher, Gary Goudy, Lee Helgelund, and Steve Heilmann. In the early 2000’s, Barry began a close friendship with renowned engraver Steve Lindsay who mentored Barry on the art of knife engraving. Along with Steve Houl Barry Lee Hands has engraved several of the finest custom knives with many of the great knife makers including
Ron Lake and Steve Johnson.
Dimensions: Length Open 7 1/8, Blade 3 1/8, Case 4, Inches
And the description:
“An Artist’s Palette”
The Steve Hoel Five Color Coke Bottle
Engraved by
Barry Lee Hands
The first collaboration by Steve and Barry since AKI 2009
This stunning vintage medium coke bottle features five color virgin gold inlays on the 416 stainless frame in 24k yellow, antique 23k yellow, 14k pastel green, 18k green and 22k rose gold, executed with fully sculpted raised relief on a sculpted scroll 416 stainless background.
Steve Hoel Custom Knife
Pine, AZ
Blade Length: 3 1/8 inches Overall Length: 7 1/8 inches
Closed Length: 4 inches Sheath/Case: Zipper Pouch
Blade Steel: ATS-34
Bolster/Guard: 416 Stainless Steel
Handle Material: Exhibition Grade Mother of Pearl
Comments: This one of a kind masterpiece is a definitive example of the Art knife by inter-frame master Steve Hoel and Master Gun Engraver Barry Lee Hands. This classic Steve Hoel Small Coke Bottle displays lavish ornamentation including generous amounts of 24K and 22K yellow, 22K pink, 12K pastel green and 18K green gold leaves and stems, set on a background that has been detailed with carved and sculpted leaves on the 416 stainless inter-frame.
The design continues onto the pearl in 24k gold with Barry's original "Gilded Pearl" technique with eighteen gold inlaid leaves, luxuriously and densely applied on the exhibition grade mother of pearl.
All the elements are surrounded by raised 24k gold borders.
To top it all off, the blade, of ATS-34, features the most rare and unusual of Barry’s original techniques-which he calls “Burnished Blade” executed with tumbling leaves and graceful, flowing stems. This stunning hand applied decoration of the blade, a technique invented by Barry, is practiced by no other engraver we know of.
As with all of Steve Hoel’s masterpieces the fit and finish is flawless and the knife opens and closes with astonishing smoothness.
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The generous 24k flush line and sculpted leaf borders provide the perfect frame for this interplay of multicolor gold and stainless which surround the Exhibition Grade Australian Silverlip Pearl inlay, which is itself inlaid with Barry’s original “Gilded Pearl” technique featuring nine 24k gold leaves with stems on each side.
The leading edge of the front bolsters are inlaid with 24k gold and set with a brilliant cut diamond.
The Boot blade, of ATS 34, is decorated with Barry’s unique “Burnished Blade” technique, and the spine is decorated with “Burnished Pastel” technique in green, red and yellow gold.
The only knife extant with these three original techniques featured together.
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