In 1966, a twenty-something named Buster Warenski decided that he’d like to make his own knife. Forty years later, he is considered one of the greatest knife makers of the last century. At the age of thirty, he became one of the handful of knife makers to join the Knifemakers Guild. He ended up serving two terms as the guild’s president.
His Legacy Series of four 18k gold knives includes the most expensive modern knife in the world—Gem of the Orient. Designed for a Japanese customer, the knife’s jade and gold filigree handle is encrusted with 153 emeralds (10 carats) and nine diamonds (5 carats). In all, the knife was made with 28 ounces of gold. Supposedly, it took Warenski 10 years to make.
The world’s most expensive modern knife was originally sold for $1.2 million. The buyer, in turn, put Gem of the Orient up for sale for $2.1 million.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
To be realistic (and I say this as a knife collector), one cannot really call this a knife, as a knife is a tool used for one purpose or another, while this is more of a gem/ornament, used only for bragging rights. Until the owner’s wife decides to put it to practical use…
That is a dagger only for the fact that it is a double edge if it was a knife (1) it would be single edged and (2) for the fact its a dagger it can do more then a knife cuz it can stab,slice,and pierce, whereas a knife can only stab and slice so yea not really something I'd keep not my form of Dagger anyways
Buster Warenski made some wonderful pieces. I have some of the knives he made, and they all feature wonderful craftsmanship..coupled with engravings by Julie Warenski.
As a knife collector also, I personally agree with 'Byron'. Whether it's a gem-incrusted ornament or not, it's a short, bladed tool. It is a knife even if it's worth millions and will probably never cut anything.