Phurba: Damasteel, Kamagong, Custom Bronze — Balete Blades

PHURBA: Damasteel, Custom Bronze, Kamagong
SOLD | USD 8,000.00

Blade: Damasteel
Handle: Custom Bronze, Kamagong
Display Stand: Kamagong

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During a visit to Bhutan last year, I had the chance to witness a Tshechu, a traditional mask dance. Among the performers and costumes, one detail left a lasting impression on me: a ritual dagger called the Phurba. Used in the dance to symbolically seal away evil, the Phurba was driven into a black box, its tri-edged blade and sculpture carved into the hilt creating a powerful visual and spiritual gesture.

So when a client asked if I could create a Phurba, I was more than excited to take on the challenge. Traditionally cast in a single piece of bronze or brass, the Phurba features three edges transitioning into three faces of Mahakala, a protective deity with a fierce expression and a crown of skulls. The faces are unified by a shared earrings, symbolizing their oneness. Below that, the Knot of Eternity and sculpted elephants reinforce Buddhist motifs of rebirth, balance, and sacred strength.

Instead of casting, I forged the blade from Damasteel round stock that proved difficult to shape. Forging three clean edges from the round material required building custom dies and working within strict temperature ranges to avoid failure. The result was a crisp, tri-edged blade with a Damascus pattern that echoed the spiritual complexity of the piece.

For the sculpted elements, I worked in wax and had them cast in a custom bronze alloy containing copper, zinc, tin, germanium, and gallium. This combination produced a patina that shifts from deep purple to green as it ages, giving the piece a presence that evolves over time. I reinterpreted some traditional elements, such as extending the elephant figures to form a cross guard, adding both a visual break and functional hand protection.

The cap of the piece features layered mandalas that align into a single radial form from the top view, while the handle is made from polished Kamagong, a dense native ebony that brings warmth and weight to the grip. I also sculpted a radial stand that allows the Phurba to be displayed upright, honoring its heritage as both a tool and a sacred sculpture.

This project was one of the most rewarding I’ve ever worked on. It pushed every part of the process—forging, sculpture, metallurgy—while grounding each decision in meaning and symbolism. I hope to take on more like this soon!

*This piece was handcrafted for a private collection.