ABU DHABI // For Mohammed Al Amiri there are few things more impressive than a pocket knife made of a hand-forged Damascus blade in a titanium frame with a handle carved out of a 10,000-year-old woolly mammoth’s tusk, decorated with gold and diamonds.
There is plenty of bling on the blade, but as Mr Al Amiri is quick to demonstrate, his high-end, custom-made William Henry knife is just as fit for a camper as it is for a king.
“It’s a tool,” Mr Al Amiri said. “It’s a piece of art and functionality.”
The Dh50,000 custom knife was on display at the Tamreen Sports booth on the final day of the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex).
Mr Al Amiri said wealthy Emirati consumers are increasingly attracted to the American knives’ utility and beautiful craftsmanship.
“William Henry knives take almost eight months to make from start to completion, with 800 steps and 30 artisans to work on one piece,” he said. “Some of the pieces of the blades are hand forged in the United States and shipped all the way to Japan for a samurai sword maker to grind and sharpen. It’s really something that’s highly appreciated.”
Dave Boeckel, chief executive of William Henry Studio, said: “In the knife world, we are known for making the finest pocket knife. You can compare us to the Patek Philippe in watches, Rolls Royce in cars.”
Ali Saeed and Abdulrahman Murshidi travelled from the Northern Emirates to the exhibition for the first time and, in part, admire the flashy weaponry on display.
“It’s too much good, nice,” Mr Saeed said of the exhibition.
rpennington@thenational.ae
