We are excited to announce Artisan Cutlery’s newest collaboration project with our brand-new designer, Dustin Rhodes.
About Designer: Dusty
“Hi, I’m Dusty! Although I’ve always been intrigued by knives since childhood, I only began collecting knives in 2016. Immediately, creativity struck and doodles began. Over the next decade, doodles turned into sketches and into balsa wood models. I eventually taught myself 3D CAD programs and decided to try to make my designs reality. Thanks to Artisan Cutlery, that dream is now real.”
Talk to Dusty
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Why Icon is a duck? 🤔
- I enjoy animals a lot and ducks are some of my favorites. I specifically picked my favorite bird because the feather duster would continue the feathery trend and it had to have a duster or something of that nature because my name is Dusty. It’s not the most serious of meanings but I think it best represents me as a designer.
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Why this prototype?🤔
- This was the first design that I had poured every last drop of my passion for functional aesthetics as well as all I had learned from every design before that wasn't up to par.
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Where did the inspiration come from🫣
- I initial inspiration that was used as more of a foundation was the curves of a design by Salvatore Puddu. The Maserin Starlight is the easiest example of this blade to find. What then shaped the design was the idea that every curve should serve a purpose. The blade became this highly functional drop point. If that's too much to say then it was the dream wizards that inspired me in my sleep✨
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What would I like to say to customers who support the pocket knife.🙏
- Obviously, thank you and I hope they enjoy it. Put it to work.
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What do you think is the most distinctive feature?🤔
- For me it's opening the knife and how each method works so well. Getting that right was the most difficult part of designing it. I think if you ask any owner of the knife they'd have many different answers like the ergonomics or the blade/handle ratio or even the internal milling. Those were trivial in designing in comparison to placing the thumb studs or deciding the final shape and length of the flipper.
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What coincidences lead me to the EDC community?🤓
- My brother-in-law was growing a collection when I met him and his EDC item were obviously in a league above the folding sharpened scrap metal in my pocket back then. I was so interested in better pocket knives that I dove in. Less than a year later I had my own collection and was already sketching my earliest designs.
Welcome to Dusty's Wizard World! 🧙
A Masterful Blend of Elegance and Functionality
The Wizard, a creation by Artisan Cutlery, presents itself as an elegantly simple tool at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, this knife showcases an incredible attention to detail that truly sets it apart.
The blasted titanium scales are gently contoured on the edges and skeletonized internally to remove excess weight, while a pair of inlays sit flush with the scales, creating a nearly seamless texture that gives the overall design an elegant appearance and perfect balance.
Complementing the stunning aesthetics is a thin, reversible pocket clip that allows for discreet and comfortable carry just about anywhere. The textured floating backspacer adds a final touch of class to this bewitching design.
But the Wizard is not just about looks; the magic is in the ratios. Despite its total handle length of just over 4 inches, the Wizard deploys a surprisingly robust 3.5-inch clip-point blade. Thanks to Rhodes' exceptional design and internal geometry, the Wizard maintains its gentlemanly appearance when closed, but when deployed, this knife becomes a full-sized cutting tool that can handle far more than just small EDC tasks.
The Wizard offers three satisfying methods of deployment: classic large thumbstuds for easy left or right-handed opening, a gently curved front-flipper for a slightly more stylish opening method, and a smooth button lock that serves as both a deployment method and a locking mechanism, ensuring a solid lockup and easy unlocking.
To top it off, this enchanting piece runs on super-smooth ceramic bearings for nearly frictionless opening and closing of the knife. The Wizard comes together as the perfect conflux of elegance and functionality, thanks to Rhodes' exceptional design language and the machining skills of the team at Artisan Cutlery.
This exceptional project is truly a testament to the brand's commitment to delivering exceptional products that blend form and function
Four Schools
“We are offering the Wizard in four configurations, each showcasing exceptional materials and craftsmanship. Each version offers something a little different, and we are excited to provide a truly premium everyday carry experience at every level."