A unique fusion of forged steel and whakairo
A.J. Prime creates one-of-a-kind works of art through the unique union of whakairo and blacksmithing - an approach that has become a hallmark of his practice.
His creations honour traditional practices while forging a contemporary path of their own and are individually hand-crafted from beginning to end.
“He has a real eye for detail. The work that he does is exceptional”
— Pena Makoare
Hei tiki are a type of pendant worn around the neck. Historical examples that have been handed down through generations carry the accumulated mana of those they represent, those that have worn them and events they have attended. This is what makes those examples special.
My hei tiki are empty vessels and carry no restrictions.
As the recipient you may choose to imbue them with your mana and that of your whānau. Or simply wear them as a beautiful accessory. Kei a koutou te tikanga.
This hei tiki is carved from stabilised tōtara burl wood.
Details:
Stabilised tōtara burl wood, Shell eyes, 8-strand braid.
Size: 92mm x 45mm
Weight: 36g
Cord length: 570mm total length
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Blade size: 210x52mm
Overall length: 370m
Blade steel: 52100 carbon steel clad in vintage wrought iron
Handle material: Stabilised tawa (NZ native timber)
This type of knife is a gyuto, a popular Japanese-styled all-round chef knife designed to compete with the more typical French and German chef knives. This blade is a work horse and is intended for slicing and dicing vegetables as well as portioning proteins.
The blade is 52100 carbon steel clad in wrought iron salvaged from vintage gate strap hinges, likely to be over 100-years old. The blade retains the forged finish on the flats of the blade, as a reminder of it’s hand-forged creation.
The handle is stabilised tawa with heirloom fitment between the steel and wood.
Nihoroa translates to long tooth and is the name for this type of blade.
Pūkoro is a Māori term for a sheath or scabbard.
A nihoroa is a hypothetical historical piece designed to serve as an alternative to the patu, wahaika or pātuki in conjunction with a long-reach weapon like a taiaha or pouwhenua.
This set, along with all of my toi Māori pieces, has been crafted to be fully functional, but it is intended as an art piece for display.
Blade: 80CrV2 modern high-carbon steel with an antiqued finish.
Kakau and pūkoro: Tōtara with cow bone. Forged steel belt loop lashed with brown waxed thread. Haehae pākati whakarei with mātenga at each end.
Matching stand in tōtara with steel uprights.
Blade length: 240mm
O/A length: 420mm
A.J. Prime - Artist & Artisan
AJ is an artist and established artisan knifemaker based in Cable Bay, Northland. A self-taught knifemaker of over 10-years, AJ is well known for his one-of-a-kind hand-crafted knives.
Since 2022 AJ has been blending whakairo (customary Māori carving) with his tool-making skillsets to produce beautiful and unique tools and weapons.
A long-term goal for AJ is to establish whakapapa (genealogy) for iron and bring it fully into te ao Māori; and to then harvest iron from the whenua to make unique taonga Māori.
AJ is also currently studying a bachelor’s degree in Māori art, to further develop his art practice.