A finished relic can look inevitable, as if its final silhouette had always been waiting inside the wood. The actual process is slower and more deliberate. Every stage removes material, but it also clarifies an idea: where the object should carry weight, where light should break across a plane, and where the hand should feel a transition.
1. Reading the block
The process begins with a single piece of African Blackwood. Before any outline is established, the block is studied for grain direction, density, color, and natural markings. These details help determine how the form can be positioned and which parts of the material should remain most visible.
Selection is not a search for uniformity. A quiet line in the grain or a shift in tone can become part of the finished identity. The goal is to find a block whose character can support the intended silhouette.
2. Establishing the silhouette
The first shaping stage defines proportion. Length, balance, point, and grip are considered together so the object reads as one continuous form. The silhouette may reference a historical blade geometry or an imagined relic, but it is resolved as a sculptural display object rather than a functional tool.
At this stage the form remains broad. Enough material is retained to allow later decisions, while the major direction of the piece becomes visible.
3. Shaping the planes by hand
Once the silhouette is established, the major planes are developed by hand. A small change in angle can alter the entire character of the object. One surface may absorb light while the next catches a narrow highlight. The relationship between those surfaces creates depth without decoration.
The grip is shaped as part of the same visual language. It must feel intentional in the hand and remain connected to the geometry of the full piece. Transitions are refined gradually so no single area appears added after the fact.
4. Refining the surface
Progressive sanding removes tool marks and clarifies every transition. This stage cannot be rushed. As the surface becomes finer, irregularities that were invisible earlier begin to appear. Edges are adjusted, planes are checked again, and the balance of the whole object is reconsidered from multiple angles.
The purpose is not to make the wood look artificial. It is to let the natural depth of African Blackwood emerge while preserving the precision of the form.
5. Applying the natural finish
A natural wax finish protects the completed surface and deepens the visual character of the wood. There is no opaque paint to hide the grain and no heavy coating intended to separate the hand from the material. The finish remains quiet so the wood and the shape stay central.
6. Final inspection
The final relic is inspected in changing light and from every side. Lines are checked for continuity, the surface is examined, and the object is handled as it will be handled by its future owner. Only when the form feels resolved does the process end.
Each completed DEEPSIGN relic is made for collection and display. Its value lies in the patience of the process, the individuality of the material, and the presence of an object shaped by hand.
Read The Story of African Blackwood, learn more about the atelier, or view The Archive.