Cable Damascus Dagger by Joe Zemitis (1997)

Cable Damascus Dagger by Joe Zemitis (1997)

This striking Australian handmade dagger exemplifies the artistry and technical mastery of noted knife-maker Joe Zemitis, crafted in 1997. It showcases Zemitis’s skill in working with Cable Damascus steel and his attention to fine materials and traditional form.

Description

The dagger features a hand-forged Cable Damascus Dagger, measuring 170mm in length. This unique steel—created by forging twisted high-carbon cable under intense heat and pressure—produces an intricate, organic grain pattern distinctive to Damascus craftsmanship. The blade demonstrates excellent structure and balance, highlighting both durability and visual beauty.

The handle is fashioned from genuine sperm whale tooth, measuring 120mm, and sourced from the Cheynes Beach Whaling Station in Albany, Western Australia, prior to 1978. This ensures the material’s legality and provenance under modern conservation standards. The creamy hue and natural texture of the whale tooth complement the rich patterning of the Damascus blade, creating a harmonious blend of natural and forged materials.

Note: The sperm whale tooth handle exhibits some natural cracking, consistent with age and organic material. The piece is priced accordingly.

Materials

• Blade: Hand-forged Cable Damascus Dagger steel

• Handle: Sperm whale tooth (pre-1978, sourced from Cheynes Beach Whaling Station, Albany, WA)

Dimensions

• Blade Length: 170 mm

• Handle Length: 120 mm

• Overall Length: 440 mm

Provenance

Crafted by Joe Zemitis, an accomplished Australian bladesmith known for his traditional forging techniques and distinctive use of Damascus steel, this dagger is an excellent example of late-20th-century Australian knife-making craftsmanship. Its combination of heritage materials and hand-forged artistry gives it both aesthetic appeal and collectible significance.

Summary

The Cable Damascus Dagger by Joe Zemitis (1997) is a fine representation of Australian handmade blade artistry. With its patterned Cable Damascus blade and authentic sperm whale tooth handle, it captures the enduring connection between craftsmanship, material heritage, and artistic expression—a true collector’s piece blending tradition, skill, and provenance.