I have always had a strong passion for the process. This is where my creativity shines. From the first sketch over the last finishing technics to product photography and copywriting. It is all process and it is all a huge part of my life.
With this newsletter you get a look into my world of making.
With this first installment I want to introduce a new segment of my newsletter with some behind the scenes stuff. For as long as I have been making, I have had a strong passion for the process. I feel it is in the process of making, the soul of a product is created. It’s where I get to put my thoughts, blood, sweat and tears out there. I believe for every maker, while we share similarities, the process is different. What works for one will not work for the other. With this newsletter you get a look into my world of making.
Usually knife shows are my vent for exploring creative technics, new materials etc but also just to make a knife exactly like I envision it. The knife show hiatus I have been experiencing this past almost two years has left me itching to make stuff not on order. I have considered long and hard about what to do. I decided that having some kind of online show would be the immediate solution. I also knew right away that I did not want this to be a one time deal so I started thinking about a concept. Knowing myself and my busy schedule I wanted to make a setup where I hold my self up to a a goal and a deadline. A monthly "show" was what I came up with and my wife Karina coined the working title "Launch15" since we wanted to do it each month the 15th. Well if there is one thing that does not exist it is temporary solutions and working titles....We came to like the name so much that it became the official name. This would be the perfect media for me to make and sell limited editions, unique or just interesting knives and tools for immediate delivery.
Our first Launch15 show took place on Friday 15th October 2021 at 08.00pm Central Europe Time. I had made a new version of my Monte Carlo with G10 scales as a first time ever. In addition I offered some limited edition Monte Carlos, some Njord kitchen knives, limited edition ORSOs and some special Minibars and Prybar12s. I really felt like I was preparing for a show. Long days in the shop, strict deadline and a lot of anticipation! I was really curious on how this concept would be received.
As it happened I was traveling in Italy on a business trip in the days prior to the 15th and landed in Billund about half an hour before the knives and tools would go live on my site. At the baggage carrousel waiting for my suitcase my phone started going bananas with notifications from my web shop app. Sales had started and was off to a great start. Within 5 minutes 75% of the knives and tools where sold. Not long after only a few items was left in the shop and I could conclude that all the preparations and work to make this a success was fruitful. In the weekend following the 15th we worked hard to get everything packed up and ready to be picked up by Fedex Monday. We never sent that many packages in one day before. Thanks to everyone taking part in the fun and who helped making this my first online "show" a big succes.
In this writing moment I am already far in preparing for the new Launch15 and can't wait to get everything ready. Launch 15 will take place coming months on every 15th. I hope I will see you then!
Jens
I had a conversation the other day about my NEXUS dagger and where I found inspiration for this piece. Normally my way of looking at and for inspiration is very abstract in the way I rarely seek inspiration directly. I have always considered inspiration to be more a state of mind rather than something that I seek out specifically. I get inspired by being in large cities like New York or San Francisco. I find architecture and human interaction with the city they live in to be a big source of inspiration. I find inspiration in looking at other craftsmen outside of the knife world and have tons of books on everything from Japanese carpentry over contemporary jewelry making to concept arts for movies. 
Speaking of movies and big cities.… I have always been a sucker for sci-fi movies and my favorite movies has got to be the original Blade Runner movie from 1982. The whole dark and gritty atmosphere set in futuristic Los Angeles (well the original was set in November 2019! yet still...) , the buildings, the various weapons has been an almost lifelong inspiration to me. As rare as it happens the sequel - Blade Runner 2049 - was to me equally good. If you are a fan of sci-fi movies you may know of a concept artist name Syd Mead. He has been heavily involved in designing the sets and props for both Blade Runner movies as well as several other of my favorite movies in this genre: Aliens, Mission to Mars and Elysium. (I highly recommend the book The Movie Art of Syd Mead)
Long story somewhat shorter…watching Blade Runner 2049 I was so drawn into the movie universe again. I was reminded by my ongoing fascination of Deckards blaster which could fill a full blog post on its own.
When I saw a few frames worth of a folding dagger used I had to make my take on a Blade Runner worthy blade.
I wanted to make something that reflected the mixed style of interior designs, architecture and object as seen in both movies. Something that would equally well be seen as an old world weapon as well as a moden styled object. Something that will age well with a timeless feel to. Something with enough style to fit well in a Replicants or Blade Runners arsenal.
With anything inspired it needs to be able to stand alone. It was an incredible difficult project for me to make a balanced and interesting design while adding ergonomics and “useability” to the design. Adding a detail level that would be worthy of such a pice was way outside my comfort zone. As with all my knives it is the process that interests me the most. On this piece the process has been a great adventure into another world.
Though this is mainly relevant in Danish.
