A Rugger


A type of “peasant’s weapon” (Bauernwehr) popular in the Swiss mountains and Southern Germany- but not only - in the XIVth to XVIth centuries (mostly), this type being late XVth century.

The blade is High Carbon Steel, which was given a differential heat-treat (clay quench, in fact) to echo the original construction : a hard cutting edge and a softer back, although I chose not to make it visible - but with time, a slight patina might appear that would indeed show the hardened and unhardened zones in the blade (and really keen eyes can actually see this on the blade ais it is now). The scale tang tapers towards its end.

Handle scales are Dogwood wood, the tubular rivets are made of hand-rolled Mild Steel sheet, as shown - they need to be slightly smaller in diameter than the tang and scale holes, so that their ends could be expanded to secure the scales in place. The bolsters, end cap and Nagel are mild steel, hand-filed.

It is pending a scabbard

It is 391 mm long, with a 263 mm blade (7 mm thick at its base).

Cheers

Fab

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One of my favorite knife forms. A very handsome piece. Looks like it would have a very comforting heft in the hand.

Hopefully you'll show us the completed scabbard too? Thanks for sharing this Fabrice.

-Eric