This spectacular dagger was fabricated and embellished by Gary R. Blanchard. Blanchard started in the knife making business as a scrimshander in the 1977 and by the early 1980s was engraving knives in his own unique style and handcrafting his own knives. Today, Blanchard continues to design and fabricate custom knives. This Blanchard dagger features a 7 3/4 inch blade with an extended oval ricasso. The ricasso features a relief oak leaf and acorn engraving with elk scenes on both sides. One side of the ricasso has a fancy banner marked "G.R. BLANCHARD / MAKER-ENG. / BURNEY CALIF. / 19 89" above the bull elk scene and the banner "NORTH AMERICAN ELK-WAPITI" under the scene. The other side of the ricasso features the oak leaf motif and four elk in a woodland scene. The turned down guard is artfully shaped with an oak leaf design. The pommel is a cluster of oak leaves and acorns. Note that the master engraver gold plated the engraving that is on a black antiqued background. The dagger is fitted with a grooved stag handle. OAL: 12 1/2".