I finally finished my first Bauernwehr project! I used inexpensive but reasonably good quality Atlanta Cutlery blades, with some modifications and re-profiling, as discussed here: http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?p=332735#332735 (Companion for main and Small Hunter for by-knife).
All metal fittings for knives and scabbard are fabricated from 1018 mild steel.
Scabbard has poplar wood core, thick leather sheath for by-knife, covered with some thin stretchy leather I had left over from another project.
Suspension is facilitated by a riser close to the throat, allowing for hanging to the belt with any kind of leather thong (which I did) or cord, etc. I got this idea from a thread here a couple weeks ago (it was about Rondel suspension I think).
Baurnwehr blade is a bit over 10 1/2" long, 1 3/8" at the widest point, 3/16" thick at the base with surprisingly nicely done distal taper. I got it to 600 grit satin finish and almost razor sharp. Should slice like crazy with this shape, chop as well as could be expected of a blade this length, and stab too if required (not against armor of course).
Handle 5" long, with both bolsters and nagel decorated with some file work (nagel also has 3 decorative holes with 3/16" brass tubing inserted). Walnut scales finished with tung oil, held on with epoxy and 3 brass pins: 1/8 pin, 3/16" tube, 1/4" tube (I think increasing pin diameters look nice with widening handle). Feels comfortable and very secure in "hammer" grip, and surprisingly even better in "saber" grip.
By-knife blade is pretty substantial at 1/8" thick, 4 1/2 " long. 7/8" at the widest point.
Handle relatively small (just over 3 1/2" long) but pretty comfortable. Also it is possible to choke up on it for better control by placing index finger over bolsters at the base of the blade. Due to the unusual grind shape on this blade, the first 3/4" is completely not sharpened but the rest is very sharp, especially the "belly" part. Finished to 600 grit satin finish, like the main blade.
Bolsters have simple file work decoration, partially matching Bauernwehr's.
Scales are made from some leftover "walnut burl" I had. They are not stained, application of tung oil just turned them very dark brown, as opposed to the much lighter color of the new plain walnut scales I bought for the Bauernwehr... Pinned with brass 1/8" pin and 3/16" tube.
I put up better quality pictures in an album here: https://public.fotki.com/aindman/bauernwehr-with-atl/
Attaching small versions of some the pictures in hopes that they will show up in the post without requiring downloads.
Let me know what you think. Would love some discussion and suggestions for future Bauernwehr projects!











