Knife Award 2026 - Khukri with a Twist
Khukri - Dragonfly Knife
This year's entry, which has been awarded "Knife Solingen 2026" by the jury and the knife museum, gives a modern twist to the traditional khukri with a certain "je ne sais quoi".
Usually one carries a khukri with one or to smaller companion knives for more delicate work. In my interpretation of it I created an artistic and modern Khukri where the companion utility knife is stored securely within the handle.
The rear section of the handle frame can be released using a titanium spring, allowing the companion blade to be removed. The companion blade is guided by a leather insert on the underside of the blade and by a guide on the blade spine. This back guide, two points that rest on the curve of the blade, and a leather-covered foam pad ensure the knife is held securely, without leeway, and in the correct position.
The handle frame is moved into its final position by sliding it over a trapezoidal guide and is securely locked in place by the titanium spring engaging twice.
The knife can be used with or without the side knife.
Additionally, the frame protects the exquisitely designed companion knife, which is meant to symbolize a dragonfly. The gold inlay on the back forms the body, while the silver handle inlays represent the wings.
The large working blade with its rustic etched surface shows what the knife is made for, while simultaneously protecting the deliberately delicate and elegantly designed dragonfly knife within the handle frame.
Khukri
Total length: 430 mm
Blade length: 285 mm
Blade steel: 1.2510 (non-stainless / multi-etched)
Handle frame: 800 silver
Handle end: 800 silver with Shibuishi inlay (25% silver / 75% copper) and set opal
The blade of the khukri was forged from 1.2510 carbon tool steel and etched and ground numerous times to create the rustic surface.
The blade and the lower part of the frame were crafted from a single piece and form the knife’s sturdy base. The top and front sections of the handle frame are permanently riveted to the blade. The rear section of the handle frame can be attached and removed.
Finally, a custom-alloyed piece made of Shibuishi (25% silver / 75% copper) was fitted and textured. An opal in a cabochon cut is then held in place by a bezel setting.
Dragonfly knife
Total length: 230 mm
Blade length: 110 mm
Blade steel: RWL 34
Side handle inlays: 925 silver with cold enamel
Top handle inlay: 18-karat yellow gold
Diamonds 0.43 ct.
Ruby D 3.5 mm (0.2 ct)
Tourmaline 6.9 x 5.7 x 4.3 mm (1.0 ct)
Garnet 7.3 x 4.6 mm (1.7 ct)
Sapphire 6.5x5x4.1 (1.0 ct)
Sapphire D 3.5mm (0.2ct)
The dragonfly knife, held securely in the handle, is made of RWL 34 and features a fully integral construction. The blade is satin-finished, and the handle frame is highly polished.
Four silver wings, previously 3D-modeled and cast in silver, are fitted into the sides of the handle frame. To ensure transparency, an acrylic spacer is fitted between each inlay—hand-ground and polished. The handle was then decorated with cold enamel in a color gradient ranging from yellow to red.
A symbolic dragonfly body made of 18-karat yellow gold was fitted to the spine of the blade and set by hand with diamonds, garnet, tourmaline, sapphire, and ruby.
The pavé surface, set with diamonds and hand-engraved under a microscope, is a technique I learned in Antwerp from the world-renowned gem setter Alexander Sidorov and have applied here.
To ensure the ornate knife stays securely in place, the inner surface of the kukri blade and the inner edge have been lined with leather. Additionally, a Micarta ring was attached to the inside during assembly to prevent damage to gemstones or scratches on the knife.
All edges have been deburred, finely ground, and polished in both the open and closed positions to ensure safe disassembly and reassembly. This creates slight shadow gaps, which were intentionally added to avoid sharp edges on the inside and outside.
