New World Record Knife Price

A new claim can be made for the world’s most expensive knife. The Shah Jahan Dagger closed at a price of $3.375 million at auction on June 19, 2019. This dagger smashes the previous world record for a knife sold just a year before. Theodore Roosevelt’s Hunting Knife previously held the record at a price of $414,000 at an auction in 2018.

The Shah Jahan Dagger was sold at an auction by Christie’s, dubbed “Maharas & Mughal Magnificence” offering a trove of nearly 400 rare Indian artifacts and jewelry spanning over 500 years, with some items dating back to the days of the Mughal Empire. The live auction was held at the J.D. Rockefeller Center in New York, with the total number of items selling above $100 million. 

Shah Jahan Kard Dagger – Current Worlds Most Expensive Knife

It is believed that the dagger was first commissioned by Jahangir, the fourth Mughal emperor, in the early 1600s. Upon his death in 1627, the dagger was passed down to his son and eventual successor, Shah Jahan. Shah Jahan was the emperor of the Mughal empire from 1628 to 1658 and is regarded of one of the greatest leaders of his time. Under his leadership, the Mughals experienced a “Golden Age” of cultural and architectural achievements, including the building of the world-famous Taj Mahal. 

The dagger is considered a masterpiece of Mughal art. The most unique characteristic is the hilt, which displays a three-dimensional head carved from jade stone with tremendous detail. The carved head is seen as a European influence. It’s been said that this influence comes from the work of European lapidaries working at the Mughal court during this time. At the top of the blade, the dagger features scrolling designs and an inscription in nasta’liq script inlaid in gold. This is stylistically an influence from the Iranian world, which influenced a lot of art during the Mughal period. 

A kard is defined a straight and single edged blade. It is made from watered steel and is 11 5/8 inches long, in total the dagger is exactly 16 inches in length. Historians are unsure of when the knife was first commissioned and when it was fully completed. When Shah Jahan received the dagger, he may have only received the hilt from his father. Some believe that he later added the blade and a gold inscription of an umbrella and a fish on each side of the blade.

Previous World Record Knife Prices

The blade in question brought a world record price of $414,000 at auction during September 9-11, 2018. The top of the handle is carved in the shape of an eagle’s head made of solid gold, with garnets adorning the knife for the eagle’s eyes. Here’s why it was so expensive: the knife was presented to President Theodore Roosevelt in 1909. On one side handle, opposite of the eagle, is a forest scene with two men behind a tree. One man is crouching, and another is standing with a rifle in hand. Let’s explore the most expensive knives in the world.

The knife was made by J. Russell & Co. of Massachusetts and originally cost $1,250 in 1909, the equivalent of $33,266 in today’s money. The knife is made with an ornate handle of gold and platinum and features detailed artwork. The knife was presented to Roosevelt for a hunting trip by James W. Gerard and spent the majority of its life in the Roosevelt family until the auction. Etched into the left side of the knife, it reads “PRESENTED TO THEODORE ROOSEVELT BY HIS FRIEND JAMES W. GERARD. This knife is an important piece of American history and is 11.5 inches in length.

The Most Expensive Known Knives

According to Rock Island Auction Co., this is believed to be the highest price paid for an American knife at auction. What was the previous world record price? $270,000 in 2006 was the previous winner, linked to a knife that was linked to Sam Houston, an American soldier and a politician.

However, there is one knife set that greatly surpasses the price tag of Roosevelt’s famous blade: The Gem of the Orient was made by an American custom knife-maker, Buster Warenski of Kimberly, Nevada. Warenski passed away in 2005 and was one of the greatest knife makers of our time; the Gem of the Orient is adorned with over 153 emeralds totaling 10 karats and 9 diamonds that weight a total of 5 karats. An exquisite filigree sits over the jade handle, completing this masterwork of a piece. The knife set took over 10 years to complete and sold for over $2.1 million.

Build Your Dream Knife Collection with Exquisite Knives 

If you are looking to add to your knife collection but may not have $3 million to spend, Exquisite  Knives is here for you. Our owner, Dave Ellis, was California’s first ABS Mastersmith and an avid knife collector for most of his life. He has been dedicated to assisting knife collectors all over  the world for over 30 years. 

Exquisite Knives offers a wide range of high-quality knives from reputable brands, ranging in  prices of under $100 to over $20,000. An upcharge is included in the displayed prices.  

Thinking about buying? Please contact us before ordering off our site to be sure that it is still  available.