B12 Cyber Skull

At William Henry, we are known for pushing boundaries by combining exquisite handcraft with precision machine work. This melding of form and function has been a hallmark of our brand since the beginning.

Our latest foray into a new embellishment technique lives up to that standard. This technique combines the organic attributes of hand engraving with the painstakingly detailed programming of high-tech laser engraving. The mastermind behind this hybridized process is engraving artist Tom Sterling who has been experimenting with this for several years, and recently brought it to us for consideration.

Knowing Tom, the detail of his thought process, and the quality of his craft, we were immediately intrigued. After viewing the first sample, we happily signed onto this project with him. Being both a hand engraver and high-tech tool enthusiast, Tom understands precisely how to employ the strengths of each process. This deep knowledge of both techniques allows him to conduct them both in concert in a way that few other artists, if any, can accomplish.

There are a total of 8 engraving levels in this finished product, (5 macro and 3 micro) as well as a full week worth of laser programming. Laser does a lot of heavy lifting as well as some of the ultra-fine geometric background patterns. If done by hand, this fine detail work would be very time consuming for the background alone and would have a completely different look and feel. The laser brilliantly makes short work of it. The final layers of hand engraving bring those fine organic touches only achieved by human hand.

The 'Cyber Skull' also features 10,000 year-old woolly mammoth tusk, and hand-forged 'Hornets Nest' damascus blade by Mike Norris. The thumbstud and lock button are set with spinel gemstones.