Chrysler Triton

This theme based Triton was commissioned by Mitchell Ellen. The basis of the theme originated as a art deco design and after a few phone calls and e-mails it was decided that we would go for the Chrysler building as a theme. This theme will serve to help the customer remember and honor his childhood and upbringing in New York City, home of the Chrysler building. The work of architect William Van Alen, the Chrysler building is unique for numerous reasons. It was the first man-made structure to stand taller than 1,000 ft and was regarded as the world’s tallest building for almost a year before the Empire state building surpassed it in 1931.  Van Alens out of the box thinking coupled with Walter Chryslers desire to represent his automobile company lead to the use of various unique architectural designs. For instance instead of the use of widely used gargoyles on the corners and terraces, the corners of the 61st floor are graced with eagles, replicas of the 1929 Chrysler hood ornaments.

After researching the Building for some time and working up numerous drawings, the final design was determined.  On the front lower half of the knife there is an engraving of the building itself. This and other portions of the knife were engraved and blasted with different grits of abrasive media to give different colors to different portions of the engraving. This required masking with an acetate (resist) and cutting away the areas to be blasted, all this was done under a stereoscope, multiple times.

The upper portion of the front represents the view and window treatment as seen from inside the building on the 69^th floor. On the back of the knife are eagles (read gargoyles) from the 61^st and 31^st floors. The lower portion of the building and the eyes of the eagles are 24k gold raised gold. The blade was custom forged by Shadow Mountain forged and is constructed of c1095 and 200 series nickel. The blade was ground, stoned, and finished to 2500 grit, and finally nitre-blued.

Mr. Elen was very pleased with the way the knife turned out, particularly since he was part of the design process. If you have an interest in a theme based knife please feel free to e-mail or give me a call. I consider it quite a pleasure to work with a collector and create a piece that is unique and to his taste.

Art Deco Triton, Chrysler Building, shadow mountain forge Damascus blade. 24kt gold domes in eyes and building. Engraving by Maker. Commissioned by Mitchell Ellen,$3300