Noblie Custom Knives

Work in progress: relief engraving on a titanium folding knife by Noblie Custom Knives.

The theme is Baron Samedi and Maman Brigitte — translated into metal through portraits, roses, skull details, and deep background texture. At this stage, the main volumes are being shaped before the final fine cuts, contrast, and finishing work.

Titanium is never a simple surface for this kind of engraving, especially with faces and floral details in such a narrow space. But that is also what makes the process interesting.

More progress photos coming soon.

Hand-engraving progress shots — titanium knife handle.

Sharing a few real “in-between” stages from the bench: layout, cutting the relief, building the depth, then cleaning the transitions and adding background texture so the portrait reads from different angles. Titanium is a tough material to work, especially when you want smooth shading instead of just bold lines — it’s all tiny depth changes and lots of control.

Work from Noblie Custom Knives.
Which stage do you like most: the clean cut lines, the first shadows, or the finished relief?

Hi there!
The first scale for a Noblie Custom Knives folder is done. Hand engraving with gold and copper inlays. To prevent the copper from darkening or oxidizing, I apply a coat of Renaissance wax. It keeps the piece looking great and oxidation-free for many years.