Ketuo Knife - Painted Skin( Limited Edition)

KETUO Painted Skin — Mirror of the Heart

Beneath beauty may hide deception. Beneath desire may wait destruction.

Inspired by the timeless Chinese tale of Painted Skin, this limited-edition art knife explores the boundary between appearance and truth, desire and reason, humanity and the demons within.

The two sides of the handle form a single visual narrative. One reveals the seductive illusion of the painted skin; the other exposes the struggle between obsession, temptation, and awakening. As the knife opens and closes, the opposing scenes move between light and shadow like a mirror—reflecting not only the demons of the story, but also the hidden desires of the human heart.

Traditional Tiejianjin Precious-Metal Inlay

The titanium alloy handle is decorated using the traditional Tiejianjin, or Iron Cut Gold, metal-inlay technique—a form of craftsmanship with a heritage dating back approximately 2,700 years.

Each scene is first sculpted and engraved by hand into the titanium surface. Gold, silver, and copper are then individually inlaid into the carved design, creating a layered composition of cold metal and warm precious-metal accents.

The darkened titanium forms the background of the artwork, while silver defines the figures and gold draws attention to the supernatural elements. Copper adds warmth, depth, and visual contrast. Every line and texture is created through painstaking hand engraving and inlay work, requiring hundreds of hours of craftsmanship.

The result is not an image printed onto the handle, but a permanent metal artwork built directly into its surface—a traditional painting rendered in titanium and precious metals.

Front Side — The Painted Skin’s Dream

The front side portrays the female demon and the illusion she has created.

Her fingers curve like hooks, while traces of her monstrous face emerge from the shadows. Before her lies a beautiful human skin, vivid and lifelike—a seductive disguise concealing the horror beneath.

This scene represents the danger of judging only by outward appearances. The painted skin becomes a symbol of desire, deception, and false beauty, recalling the traditional warning:

It is easy to paint a tiger’s skin, but difficult to paint its bones; easy to know a person’s face, but impossible to know the heart.

The demon is frightening, but the deeper danger lies in the greed and obsession that allow the illusion to take hold.

Reverse Side — The Duality of Obsession and Delusion

The reverse side depicts a man and woman facing one another.

The scholar appears exhausted yet unable to free himself from his obsession. The woman’s image stands between compassion and monstrosity, reflecting the uncertain boundary between innocence and deception. Above them, a golden-faced demon emerges from the flames, symbolizing the moment when a hidden desire becomes an uncontrollable nightmare.

The man represents obsession, while the woman represents delusion. Together, they embody the eternal struggle between desire and reason. Thorn-like lines surround the figures, suggesting that surrender is easy, while awakening is painfully difficult.

When the folding knife moves between its open and closed positions, the artwork on both sides shifts through light and shadow like a demon-revealing mirror. It reminds the holder that defeating an external enemy is not enough—the most difficult battle is often against the demon within.

Thomas Breathing-Pattern Damascus Blade

The blade is crafted from Thomas breathing-pattern Damascus steel.

Flowing layers move across the blade like a living current, creating a pattern that appears to breathe as the viewing angle and lighting change. Its organic movement complements the knife’s central theme: beneath every visible surface lies another layer waiting to be revealed.

Paired with the precious-metal-inlaid titanium handle, the Damascus blade completes the knife’s union of advanced bladesmithing, traditional Chinese metalwork, and narrative art.

A Blade That Reflects the Heart

Painted Skin — Mirror of the Heart is more than a functional folding knife. It is a meditation on appearance, desire, consequence, and self-awareness.

The gold and silver figures recall the spirit of traditional Chinese woodblock illustration, transformed into what can be described as a painting upon metal. Every engraved line carries part of the story; every contrast between darkness and precious metal reflects the conflict between temptation and restraint.

Presented to a trusted friend, it conveys the meaning of seeing through illusion and speaking with honesty. Kept as a personal collectible, it becomes a reminder to guard one’s heart, recognize temptation, and seek the truth beneath appearances.

In the opening and closing of the blade, one may see the demon, the world, and ultimately oneself.

Specifications

• Locking Mechanism: Liner lock

• Handle Material: Titanium alloy with gold, silver, and copper inlays

• Craftsmanship: Traditional Tiejianjin precious-metal inlay and hand engraving

• Blade Material: Thomas breathing-pattern Damascus steel

• Overall Length: 177 mm / 6.97 in

• Blade Length: 76 mm / 2.99 in

• Blade Width: 30 mm / 1.18 in

• Blade Thickness: 4 mm / 0.16 in

• Handle Length: 103 mm / 4.06 in

• Handle Thickness: 15 mm / 0.59 in

• Weight: 138 g / 4.87 oz

• Blade Hardness: HRC 59+