Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Historic Daggers Reply to topic
This is a standard topic Go to page 1, 2  Next 
Author Message
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Wed 18 Jul, 2007 11:27 pm    Post subject: Historic Daggers         Reply with quote

Greetings friends,

A couple of things. First, I'm looking for historical daggers of the 14th Century to purchase. They must be something that can be used and that I can be proud of. Second, a sheath or scabbard for the dagger. I notice there are many people out there that create custom scabbards for swords but the poor dagger is left out there.

How was the dagger attached to the belt in the 14th century? Question I have noticed in images that the dagger appears to be paired with the belt pouch or purse. In some instances it appears to be attached by a chain. It seems fashionable to wear a plaque belt low on the hips in the 14th century. How was the dagger and/or sword attached to this type of belt? Currently Albion is working on "The Knight" sword for me and Christian Fletcher is designing the scabbard with an integral belt. They have been great. Big Grin

I hope this finds you all well as I am in Iraq attempting to heal from a rocket attack. Not so fun let me tell ya. Sad Anyway, I thank everyone in advance. This is a great website and I enjoy reading the forums.

v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message
Justin King
Industry Professional



Location: flagstaff,arizona
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Reading list: 20 books

Posts: 551

PostPosted: Thu 19 Jul, 2007 6:56 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

A look through the reviews, collections and manufacturers index should turn up some sources for daggers and scabbards, from production and custom makers. The rest of your questions can be better answered by others here, I think.
You (and all the troops there) have my gratitude and my best wishes in recovering from your injuries, God bless.
View user's profile Send private message
Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Likes: 10 pages
Reading list: 13 books

Spotlight topics: 7
Posts: 5,981

PostPosted: Thu 19 Jul, 2007 8:12 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'll assume you're looking for a reproduction dagger rather than an original. There are lots of good choices, and I'm sure folks here will chime in with their own experiences. As for the scabbard--that would have been made in a variety of ways, from simple leather to something like a miniature sword scabbard, with wood core. I just made the latter and found it to be very easy.

Chad Arnow can tell you about daggers and suspensions of this period. In later periods you'd see everything from simple thongs tied around the mouth of the scabbard to metal fittings with rings for more elaborate suspensions.

It's hard to go wrong with Arms & Armor, by the way:

http://www.arms-n-armor.com/dagg058.html

Check out this thread on a Tod's Stuff 14th c. dagger:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=4802&highlight=


I prefer 15th and 16th c. forms, but that's just me. Happy

-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Russ Ellis
Industry Professional




Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Reading list: 42 books

Posts: 2,608

PostPosted: Thu 19 Jul, 2007 8:29 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I would second the vote for Arms and Armor and Tod's stuff, they are both excellent folks to deal with. Additionally although he is far to modest Justin King makes an OUTSTANDING (I AM going to do that review Justin) dagger as well. As for scabbards, pretty much anyone that does sword scabbards will also do dagger scabbards.
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Thu 19 Jul, 2007 8:55 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy,
Thanks for the post. Best wishes on a speedy recovery. Happy

14th century daggers have been discussed a little bit before:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9853
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=10195

There aren't a lot of reproductions out there because there aren't a ton of identified surviving daggers from that era. We know rondel daggers were in use, as were ballock daggers and baselards (baselards seem to have been pretty popular then). The first thread above shows most of the 14th century daggers I've seen in the books I've owned. Here's another dagger from a different thread:



For repros, there's A&A's rondel dagger. It's based on a late 14th century Italian painting or fresco.

Del Tin has a baselard as well.

Apart from those, much of the rest of the market tends to be later (15th century and on). Custom is an option. I went with Tod's Stuff of Oxford, England to reproduce one of the rondel daggers in the thread above.









Scabbards are another conundrum. We don't have many surviving 14th century daggers, and even fewer surviving sheaths/scabbards for them (I can't think of many/any I've seen). We can look at period art (like examples I posted in the first thread above), but effigies and brasses don't show construction and don't usually provide help with figuring out how they're suspended. They often seem magically stuck to the knights' right hips. Brasses of civilians show daggers suspended from belts via thongs.

So, thongs/cords can work. I believe some period art makes it look like the dagger and scabbard are thrust through the belt. Late in the 14th century (and more in the 15th), hooks are used for swords to hang them from hip belts; perhaps they were used for daggers too? The somewhat standard blocky belt loop we see sometimes (see below) doesn't seem to appear much in period art.



As far as scabbard construction, a wood core should be okay as would all leather. That's conjecture, as we don't really have enough surviving examples to judge off of, but those were the standards in the 15th century. I doubt the 14th was totally different.

Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Thu 19 Jul, 2007 10:56 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

My thanks to all for your responses and assistance. Also, I appreciate the good wishes for my recovery. Who would have thought that walking to the gym would be hazardous to your health. Laughing Out Loud

I think I'm going to purchase a Rondel Dagger Kit from Tod's Stuff. That would be a lot of fun to work on. I'm not sure if it's something I can work on here in Iraq or not. On the other hand, I'm not sure if he can ship to Iraq either. I did see the Rondel Dagger on A & A's website. I like it very much as Tod's Stuff has some very nice ones as well. Now I have to decide. I guess attaching the dagger via a thong would seem to be the appropriate and easiest way for me. Any other thoughts and ideas are welcome.

v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message
Sean Flynt




Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Joined: 21 Aug 2003
Likes: 10 pages
Reading list: 13 books

Spotlight topics: 7
Posts: 5,981

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 7:18 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
My thanks to all for your responses and assistance. Also, I appreciate the good wishes for my recovery. Who would have thought that walking to the gym would be hazardous to your health. Laughing Out Loud

I think I'm going to purchase a Rondel Dagger Kit from Tod's Stuff. That would be a lot of fun to work on. I'm not sure if it's something I can work on here in Iraq or not. On the other hand, I'm not sure if he can ship to Iraq either. I did see the Rondel Dagger on A & A's website. I like it very much as Tod's Stuff has some very nice ones as well. Now I have to decide. I guess attaching the dagger via a thong would seem to be the appropriate and easiest way for me. Any other thoughts and ideas are welcome.


Good choice! It's always good to see folks take a "hands-on" approach to their collections. Shipping from UK might be more difficult than shipping from US, though. I assume the USPS routinely ships through mil channels. Royal Post might have more difficulty getting packages into that system. You could always have the piece shipped to a friend in the US, then forwarded to you from there.

As for construction in Iraq. It should be pretty straightforward. I assume the tang isn't threaded, so the main concern would be finding a vise and ball peen hammer to peen the tang. You're probably in better shape than most folks as far as that's concerned. Are there any vehicle repair units/machine shops in your vicinity? Wink Those guys will have everything you need and more.

-Sean

Author of the Little Hammer novel

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Hammer-Sean-Flynt/dp/B08XN7HZ82/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=little+hammer+book&qid=1627482034&sr=8-1
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Likes: 50 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Spotlight topics: 5
Posts: 8,310

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:03 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
My thanks to all for your responses and assistance. Also, I appreciate the good wishes for my recovery. Who would have thought that walking to the gym would be hazardous to your health. Laughing Out Loud

I think I'm going to purchase a Rondel Dagger Kit from Tod's Stuff. That would be a lot of fun to work on. I'm not sure if it's something I can work on here in Iraq or not. On the other hand, I'm not sure if he can ship to Iraq either. I did see the Rondel Dagger on A & A's website. I like it very much as Tod's Stuff has some very nice ones as well. Now I have to decide. I guess attaching the dagger via a thong would seem to be the appropriate and easiest way for me. Any other thoughts and ideas are welcome.


Just adding my best wishes that you have a quick and full recovery.

You might also have a look at this rondel that is at a good price and the vendor has a very good reputation:

Link to rondel: http://www.kultofathena.com/product~item~4019...Dagger.htm
Home page of the site: http://www.kultofathena.com/

Ryan Whittlinger is the owner and you can e-mail him if you have any questions about the any of his products and special shipping issues: He is a very cool guy and also a member here.

Oh, Chad had this rondel a while back and it seemed well made.

Here is a link to a TOPIC showing some pics of it and discussing it:
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ght=rondel

Hope this helps. Laughing Out Loud You could still get the home project one but this one is nice and not expensive. I'm tempted myself to add it to my next order at KoA.

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!


Last edited by Jean Thibodeau on Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:10 am; edited 1 time in total
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:08 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Jean,
That MRL rondel dagger is 15th century or later. While it's impossible to be certain what it's based off of, a very similar-looking surviving example I found is dated after 1400, making it not 14th century, which is what Troy was looking for.

It's not a bad piece, but I think it's later than Troy wants.

Happy

Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jean Thibodeau




Location: Montreal,Quebec,Canada
Joined: 15 Mar 2004
Likes: 50 pages
Reading list: 1 book

Spotlight topics: 5
Posts: 8,310

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:14 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Chad Arnow wrote:
Jean,
That MRL rondel dagger is 15th century or later. While it's impossible to be certain what it's based off of, a very similar-looking surviving example I found is dated after 1400, making it not 14th century, which is what Troy was looking for.

It's not a bad piece, but I think it's later than Troy wants.

Happy


Oh, I forgot about the time period Troy was looking for and the period of this rondel. Blush Laughing Out Loud
I'm still very tempted myself to get it soon and maybe the swiss balesard ?

The link to KoA might still be useful for Troy in the future I hope.

You can easily give up your freedom. You have to fight hard to get it back!
View user's profile Send private message
David McElrea




Location: Canada
Joined: 26 Nov 2003

Spotlight topics: 1
Posts: 438

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 1:39 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

In re: Tod's Stuff, take a look at his gallery!

http://www.todsstuff.co.uk/galpics/index.php

Now that is impressive. I wish I had seen more of his work while I still lived in the UK.
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 1:45 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Tod does nice work, is a nice guy, and delivers pretty quickly. The rondel dagger (above) I just got from him took twice as long as he quoted, but delivery was still around 6 months after order.
Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:02 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I'm a bit confused. I realize that the rondel has been used in the 15th century as well. So, how do I tell the difference? The MRL rondel that Jean displayed was very nice but what makes it 15th century? By the way, thanks Jean for the links even though the dagger was 15th century. Big Grin

On another note. Plaque belts. Do or do not? They appear to be fashionable for the mid 14th century. Are these period examples in everyone's opinion?

http://www.anshelmarms.com/plaquebelt.html[url]

http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?Page...D=116[url]

Again thank you all. I love this site.

v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message
Russ Ellis
Industry Professional




Joined: 20 Aug 2003
Reading list: 42 books

Posts: 2,608

PostPosted: Fri 20 Jul, 2007 8:47 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
I'm a bit confused. I realize that the rondel has been used in the 15th century as well. So, how do I tell the difference? The MRL rondel that Jean displayed was very nice but what makes it 15th century? By the way, thanks Jean for the links even though the dagger was 15th century. Big Grin

On another note. Plaque belts. Do or do not? They appear to be fashionable for the mid 14th century. Are these period examples in everyone's opinion?

http://www.anshelmarms.com/plaquebelt.html[url]

http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?Page...D=116[url]

Again thank you all. I love this site.


As with most things the characteristics if not the general form of the rondel daggers "evolved" over time. You can find a nice article that sums up some of the characteristics that Alexi wrote (where has he gotten off to anyway?) here:

http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_spot_rondel.html

TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Sat 21 Jul, 2007 4:15 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
I'm a bit confused. I realize that the rondel has been used in the 15th century as well. So, how do I tell the difference? The MRL rondel that Jean displayed was very nice but what makes it 15th century? By the way, thanks Jean for the links even though the dagger was 15th century. Big Grin


What makes it 15th century? For starters, that's what the museum calls one very similar dagger. Happy They say "after 1400." Other similar all-metal daggers date even later, often into the 16th century.

Troy G L Williams wrote:

On another note. Plaque belts. Do or do not? They appear to be fashionable for the mid 14th century. Are these period examples in everyone's opinion?

http://www.anshelmarms.com/plaquebelt.html[url]

http://www.revivalclothing.com/index.asp?Page...D=116[url]

Again thank you all. I love this site.


Plaque hip belts were common in the late 14th century and into the beginning of the 15th. Not all were entirely metal. Some were leather with metal plaques. Not every hip belt was also the sword belt. Sometimes separate belts were worn.

One of the threads I linked to above shows a number of effigies with a variety of belt styles.

Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Sun 22 Jul, 2007 7:15 pm    Post subject: Plaque Belts         Reply with quote

The rondel dagger seems to be the way I'm going to go. I didn't see the effigy thread, Chad. Did I miss it? Worried Does anybody know of others that create some nice plaque belts?

Thank you all.

v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Sun 22 Jul, 2007 7:35 pm    Post subject: Re: Plaque Belts         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
The rondel dagger seems to be the way I'm going to go. I didn't see the effigy thread, Chad. Did I miss it? Worried Does anybody know of others that create some nice plaque belts?

Thank you all.


It's this thread that I linked above: http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9853

It has a half-dozen pictures of effigies/brasses.

Here are a bunch of effigies and brasses from the 14th century. It's a great site: http://www.themcs.org/armour/14th%20century%20armour.htm

See these threads for more belt/suspension info:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=1384
http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=9686

Here are some nice belts: http://www.quietpress.com/hip_belts.html

Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 4:30 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I forgot all about Raymond's Quiet Press Ltd. I even have them book marked and I ordered some buckles and tips for a viking belt I put together. I do like his work. I want to ensure that I exhaust all searches before I go with a certain plaque belt. I don't want to purchase something then see another one down the road that I like better. Then my girl friend would really kill me. The effigies are a big help when it comes to research. I worry sometimes that the artist may embelish on designs and so forth. Are there other examples from period art? Maybe something that is resting in a museum somewhere?
v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message
Chad Arnow
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

PostPosted: Mon 23 Jul, 2007 8:32 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Troy G L Williams wrote:
I forgot all about Raymond's Quiet Press Ltd. I even have them book marked and I ordered some buckles and tips for a viking belt I put together. I do like his work. I want to ensure that I exhaust all searches before I go with a certain plaque belt. I don't want to purchase something then see another one down the road that I like better. Then my girl friend would really kill me. The effigies are a big help when it comes to research. I worry sometimes that the artist may embelish on designs and so forth. Are there other examples from period art? Maybe something that is resting in a museum somewhere?


There are plenty of examples from period art. As for as embellishing on designs, that's always a possibility though a lot of archeology confirms what we see in art in so many cases (though not all).

For period art, our Feature articles show examples of period art, and a number of our articles touch on that era.

A period image of Edward III:



Battle scene:



Edward III and the Black Prince:



There are probably more that those, too. A google image search might help, too. Happy hunting!

Happy

ChadA

http://chadarnow.com/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Troy G L Williams




Location: Moody, Texas
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
Likes: 3 pages
Reading list: 3 books

Posts: 79

PostPosted: Tue 24 Jul, 2007 9:01 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

I notice that Prince Edward's plaque belt has square plaques on the last image Chad posted. This is not the same as the belt that Raymond's Quiet Press lists here http://www.quietpress.com/hip_belts.html[url] HB-6 The Black Princes' Hipbelt. Does anyone know of, or have an image of Prince Edward wearing such a belt? It is a wonderful belt to be certain.[/url]
v/r,
Troy Williams

"It’s merely a flesh wound." -Monty Python and the Holy Grail
View user's profile Send private message


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Historic Daggers
Page 1 of 2 Reply to topic
Go to page 1, 2  Next All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum