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
]]>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.
If you went to one of the European shows I attended in the fall/winter 2018 you might already have met her as she has assisted me at the Paris and Milan show.
On to other news. I have a constant urge to develop new projects, to work with something new, to push myself in areas where I can improve. I believe this is very common with creative people. I tend to get bored easily and will procrastinate or get sidetracked. While it may not be the most efficient thing when I have work to do, I have found this is often where my mind will come up with new ideas, designs, ways to improve or do a job better.
With the great help from my creative team working on graphical and webdesign we have created this new website. It reflects my urge for change and looking ahead. You may notice several changes. One being discontinue models or product. You may also notice I have posted a teaser for an upcoming kitchen knife product. This is something you will learn more about in the very near future. I have already posted teaser on various social medias but the final product is yet to be seen. I can’t reveal much at the moment but I can say it is one of the most exciting projects I have worked on for a long time. Stay tuned and make sure to sign up for my newsletter to get the latest news. The newsletter is something I have been neglecting in the past but is something we will pick up and start sending out on a regular basis.
I hope you will enjoy the new website and I would love to hear your feedback.
Jens Ansø
]]>
What in particular had my interest was these small metal object hanging on the walls maybe 5” by 5” in size. Amazing small art pieces made from what appeared to be steel and gold. Each with a very distinctive surface texture and a weird golden hue . Something I never had seen before. Amazed and confused was probably the best describtion of what I was feeling. I simply could not understand what I was looking at - how it was made or with what tools. As it happened a custodian must have seen my deep interested and pointed out that the artist was present it the room and ended up talking with him about his artwork for the better part of an hour. I got somewhat viser but at the same time maybe even more confused. He explained how he was using vintage tools and machines combined with an extreme patience to create his amazing art. To this day I am still amazed and have a tremendous admiration for his work.
So what has that to do with anything you may ask. Well For one thing thing I believe the sensation sparked in me was a desire to do more. A spark that has been growing to pursue the art in what I do while not compromising my desire to make tools that can be used. A good comparison is my fascination with japanese craftsmanship. Even the most simple little objects are decorated tastefully with a high focus on detail. Something I really enjoy in both my own work and others. While I believe I will always focus on making tools I realize regardless of what I may think and desire a lot of my work ends up being admired more than they are being used. I have always been extremely thankful for being able to do what I do. It would not be possible if not for my many customers. It is because of them I get to do exactly what I want to do each and every day.
I have always found a big joy in mixing simplicity with complexity. Designing and making a piece that appears simple but contains a level of complexity not easily seen is probably something that drives me. I am finding more and more joy in in pursuing the detail of things and found that by working on pieces like the Extreme Mojo years back was one of the most satisfying projects I have ever done. Challenging myself and succeeding was extremely rewarding. Working on a concept level for weeks before even knowing if the project would succeed or not was a daunting exercise.
I realized while working on one of my most recent pieces, the NEXUS Dagger that I once again was pursuing a project where I was in doubt if it would work out or not. Working towards a deadline (The Tactical Invitational in Las Vegas) only made in even more daunting. While not as complex as the Mojo Extreme in construction it still held tons of firsts for me and because of that posed a tremendous challenge.
Having been making knives fulltime for the past 16 years I need to constantly challenge myself and I recently refund the challenge in the pieces I have been making in the past few months. The NEO´s and the NEXUS dagger has yet again sparked a newfound enthusiasm and desire to jump into the deep end. I feel I have only scratched the surface of whats to come. I have received an amazing response from new and old customers and look forward to seeing what the future will bring in this regard.
Jens Ansø
]]>