What is special about my work?
At STUDIO PEDINI, I create
unique works by using a technique I have developed to permanently etch virtually any
design on glass and ceramic.
With glass and ceramic as my
canvas, you will find on this site a
variety of items that reflect this process for intricate
adornment of objects of permanence, style and beauty. They each make a wonderful
gift, memorial or award.
What is special about the technique?
Unlike all current glass etching processes which leave
a vague, frosted appearance which is hard to see, my technique results in a design that is
extremely visible and can capture minute details. The etching can be hand colored with special enamels, coated with real 22k gold, or left in it's natural state and then glass
coated at high temperature, sealing the surface forever.
How long will the etching last?
A very long time - probably many hundreds of
years. Such a beautiful object is unlikely to ever be discarded, so it and the message it carries will be around for a very long time.
As a time capsule to carry a message into the future, this method is virtually
unrivalled.
On items like brooches or the handles of my knives,
the etching process deeply penetrates the glass and the
design is sealed with a layer of Pyrex, making the hardened glass strong, highly scratch resistant and impervious to fading .
Plaques use a somewhat different technique which does not require heating the
glass, but can achieve much the same permanence.
About My Knives...
What is Damascus steel?
Damascus steel is historically a hot-
forged steel used in Middle Eastern sword-making
from about
1100 AD. Damascus blades are of legendary sharpness and
strength.
"Damascus" refers to metal with a visible grain pattern
and modern Damascus is a lamination of folded steels selected for it's cosmetic
qualities. Grinding,
polishing and acid etching are used to expose the design. 125 or more steel
layers intermingle in unique patterns formed when carbon trace elements form
visible swirls in the steel mix. Intricate and striking, Damascus is most valued
when free of flaws and imperfections.
My blades come from some of the
best, most experienced blade makers and only the highest quality steel is used.
Each blade is meticulously inspected and assessed before I will consider using
it in a knife.
How else could I have a knife personalized like
this?
It is typically extremely difficult (and expensive) to commission a
custom knife with a personalized design of this intricacy and detail.
There are a few fine knife makers who can
provide Ivory or Bone handles which are scrimshawed with a design
(basically this consists of scratching fine lines in the material with a
sharpened steel point). These organic
materials are now finding disfavour in many circles and could move or crack with temperature or humidity variations.
The designs on these materials cannot be permanently colored and are
not wear or 'time' resistant. Wood has been used to make knife handles for
thousands of years but it does not lend itself well to carrying a design, certainly
nothing greatly detailed.
My etched glass scales
support fine details and even photo-like images which have the potential of
remaining readable for many generations.
