David Oscarson Ellis Island Translucent Sapphire Blue Hard Enamel Folding Knife

Inspired by the eponymous collection of Limited Edition writing instruments, the Ellis Island Folding Knife stands as a tribute to the millions of immigrants who came to the United States seeking freedom and opportunity and who together built a great nation “out of many, one”.

Flags from countries with the greatest numbers of immigrants from 1892 to 1954 are displayed in high and low relief guilloché engraving and finished in translucent and opaque hot enamels. The monochromatic American flag stands in high relief above Lady Liberty, and engraved underneath are the famous words penned by Emma Lazarus:  "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The Ellis Island Folding Knife continues in the spirit of artistic mastery and the tradition of Old World craftsmanship by combining the centuries-old technique of Guilloché with the art and expertise of Hard Enamel. 

Hand-crafted in solid Sterling Silver, the scales of the knife are engraved, or diamond-cut in high and low relief using a centuries-old technique known as Guilloché. 

Using a mortar and pestle, a composition of glass, water and metal oxides is ground for hours by hand.  When settled, the water is removed, leaving the fine paste that is the basis for Hard (Hot) Enamel.  A quill is then used to apply each coat of the mixture to the surface of the metal, ensuring that the entire guilloché area is completely covered.  The components are then fired in a furnace at temperatures exceeding 1,000° F, fusing the enamel to the metal and forming a layer of glass.

After cooling, the pieces are manually ground with a diamond file, restoring their proper shape and surface.  This tedious process is repeated at length until the level of enamel reaches the depth required to cover the peaks and fill the valleys of each intricate guilloché pattern.  When the final stages of firing are completed, the scales are polished and buffed, revealing the velvet finish of translucent hard enamel.

Production of translucent hard enamel demands the highest levels of patience, experience and skill.  A five-year apprenticeship is required to ensure that the highest levels of quality will be met in each individual Collection piece.  

The Blade on the Ellis Island Folding Knife is forged using Swedish Stainless (Damasteel DS93X) Damascus and a diamond is set in each side of the silver thumb stud.

The Ellis Island Folding Knife will be produced in the following color variations, each limited to 62 pieces:

Translucent Ruby Red Hard Enamel
Translucent White Hard Enamel
Translucent Sapphire Blue Hard Enamel