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 The DEBONNAIRE is one of my all time favorite Damascus works. The patterns of the blade are extraordinary, and inspired me to make a knife that has a strong refined grace to it. It's to be owned by someone very special, with strong character and enormous class. Let's face it. If you've ever seen a picture of me, I am NOT what one would call graceful, refined, or even classy! But I must admit, in all us "shlubs" there's a "Debonnaire" soigné (as my beautiful, sexy angel of a High School French teacher, Miss Hill, used to say) dying to get out. In fact, Miss Hill has a lot to do with this and a few other of my knives, since I spent way too much time in her class fantasizing about sweeping her off her feet and running off to Paris, or at least to Cupid's Hot Dog stand in Van Nuys.
She used to dress as if coming down one of those double staircases, and smelled like she'd slept in a vat of Wedding flowers. God, it was almost too much, even thinking of it now gets me going!
Thing is, she had all these pictures of the mascot from the "New Yorker" magazine all over the room, what with his perfect clothes, and eloquent attitude of total confidence. I realized this was what she was looking for (after all she was "Miss" Hill which meant I had a chance!) I tried my best, at home in the mirror to try and get that "uppity" look to impress her, but failed miserable! Therefore, when I worked this Damascus steel and saw how it came out, I realized I had the makings of the true "Debonnaire"! I couldn't be him, but I sure could create him out of special steel, wood and ancient tusk! Notice the lines, especially in the trailing point and the broadened hilt with the "Olympian Arch" underthumb (the first time I've done that), and you'll see why this is a knife to show and show off! Especially to the "Miss Hill" in your life or dreams! This is a knife that's going to be very hard to part with!"
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