i'm posting these fotos in behalf of john robbins. by trade, chief engineer on an oilwell rig repair ship. the theme is if you're a seashell with pearls, stay away from an octopus. especially one with rubies for eyes. john did the damascus blade and blued it somehow. the sheath is 2-piece soldered silver, and then he blued it. scales of mop. the octopus and the starfish eating away at the shell were originally carved in wax, then lost wax cast by john. all in all, i think this is an amazing body of work. john is also an engraver of about 6 years experience. i dare say we have not seen the last from this gentleman !