The present masterpieces offered by the "Praktica" workshop follow the best traditions of the famous art of the Zlatoust gunsmiths and steel engraving craftsmen.

This unique kind of dekorative-applied art appeared as an art of cold arms ornamentation in the early 19th century, when an arms plant was opened in Zlatoust city (now part of Cheliabinsky region, Russia). Recognized German specialists from Zolingen and Gilingentahl, including the famous master - blade decorator Wilhelm Schaff together with his sons, were invited to work at the plant. That was Schaff who decorated the first Zlatoust blades. Later on russian Zlatoust craftmen adopted his methods and mastered Schaff's techniques of metal ornamentation as well as perfected them, creating complex compositions and multi-figure battle scenes.

The use in the blade production of P.P. Anosov's famous "bulat" and Obukhov steel along with its high artistic ornamentation brought fame to the Zlatoust embellished arms not only in Russia but far beyond country borders. It is proved all the time during numerous national and foreign industrial exhibitions permanently displaying these articles to receive high praise of all the collectors and visitors. The very best Zlatoust specimens are kept in the State Hermitage, Armoury of Moscow Kremlin, State History Museum, Central Navy Museum, Artillery Museum.

The "Praktica" workshop specializes in the production of unique cold arms and household articles ornamented in the traditions of Zlatoust steel engraving, effected by the well-known modern artists-engravers and craftsmen. All articles are made to order, and RusGlobus remains the only non-russian organization which constantly holds for sale a certain collection of the already produced masterpieces. Today among clients are listed the biggest museums of Russia, government agencies, the Navy, the Russian Army, russian and foreign corporations and banks, collectors (in Russia and abroad).

The technology of the cold arms applied in this workshop includes the use of the famous Zlatoust high-quality steels characterized by superior hardness and firmness, and Damascus steel produced in their own smithery. The manufacturing elements of the cold arms contain inaddition to steel and also brass, bronze, mammoth bone, valuable kinds of woods, leather, stones. Traditional treatment techniques (such as etching, nickel-plating, silvering, gilding, bluing, engraving, carving) are used in the finishing and embellishing of arms and household articles.

Ornamented cold arms are the basic product of this Zlatoust artistic workshop, but whole range of articles also includes various writing sets, paper knives, dishes, trays, mugs, vases, wine and hunter's sets, canes, binoculars, etc.
All articles are unique being produced exclusively hand-made. However, at the special request of a client any catalogue specimen can be reproduced in one or more copies. When handling orders specialists are taking into account the customer's requirements as to nomenclature, design, ornamentation and final price.

Ornamentation can be effected in a variety of styles - Russian, West European, Arab and others, as well as landscapes, hunting or battle scenes, portraits, symbols (monograms, personal signs, coat-of-arms), etc. could be introduced. Embellished blades may be hand-made from high-quality instrumental steels with a protective coating, non-ferrous or Damascus steels. Sheaths are of first-class leather, wood, metal or combined. Specific design draft of the future product is agreed upon with every customer.

Each article bears the trade-mark of the workshop, the author's name, place and date of production and is supplied with a certificate bearing information of the author, time of manufacture, materials used, kinds of decoration and a short description of the article. All items are delivered in wooden or leather-bound magnificent boxes.

To export the "Praktica" products from Russia one have to obtain special set of documentation confirming their status of "arts and crafts' articles". It is handled by "Praktica" when you place your order in the EW boutique.

Particularly interesting is the fact that this workshop has a full industrial cycle organized in its 4 floor biulding on the total territory of more than 2.000 m2. The highly qualified professionals ensure that their products are always duely appraised in 15 foreign countries as well as in all previous USSR republics.

All painters involved (the most recognized are Guennadiy Bersenev, Yuriy Riabkov and Oleg Averkin) are members of the Painters Union of Russia.

Devoted "Praktica" clients usually order the articles to be produced by a certain master and do their best to acquire for their collections at least one masterpiece of each master.