Ketuo Knife - Painted Skin (Limited Edition)

The Ketuo Painted Skin - Mirror of the Heart is a limited-edition art knife inspired by the classic Chinese tale Painted Skin. The design explores the contrast between appearance and reality, using the two sides of the handle to tell a continuous story of temptation, deception, obsession, and awakening. ONLY 1 IN STOCK!

The handle artwork is created using the traditional Tiejianjin, or Iron Cut Gold, metal-inlay technique, a form of craftsmanship with a history dating back approximately 2,700 years. Rather than applying an image to the titanium surface, each scene is individually engraved and sculpted into the handle before gold, silver, and copper are carefully inlaid into the artwork.

The darkened titanium provides the foundation for the composition, while silver defines the figures and gold highlights the supernatural elements. Copper adds warmth and contrast throughout the scenes. The combination of hand engraving and precious-metal inlay creates a permanent work of art integrated directly into the titanium handle. 

The two sides of the handle present opposing scenes from the Painted Skin story. One side depicts the female demon and the beautiful human skin that conceals her true nature. The imagery represents deception and the danger of judging solely by outward appearance.

The reverse depicts a man and woman caught between obsession and delusion, with a golden-faced demon emerging from the flames above them. Thorn-like lines surround the figures, reinforcing the tension between desire and reason. As the knife moves between its open and closed positions, the two scenes shift through light and shadow, creating a visual narrative that changes with the movement of the knife.

The blade is crafted from Thomas breathing-pattern Damascus steel, with flowing layers that create an organic pattern across the blade. The Damascus pattern complements the movement and symbolism of the handle artwork, adding another handcrafted element to the design.

With its hand-engraved titanium handle, traditional precious-metal inlay, Damascus blade, and narrative artwork, the Painted Skin - Mirror of the Heart combines traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern folding-knife construction. It is designed as both a functional folding knife and a collectible piece of metalwork that reveals more detail with every viewing.