[Fabrice Cognot]

A thin-handled, crude Baselard :



I say 'crude' because there are quite visible file marks here and there on the blade and handle, but the blade finish is usual quality (ie hand-finished, stone-sharpened/sanded, etc, etc) ; in fact, this baselard looks a lot like what you would have bought from the lower average cutler, which is weird for me as I generally try to do high-end stuff. But I decided to work on this one using the most basic tools available. The blade itself has been given a 'rough' patina - it's not as shiny or finely satin-finished as some of my other productions.
It has been ispired obviously by this model from he RA:
http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/gallery2/main.p...emId=13173
http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/gallery2/main.p...emId=13056
The H-shaped handle has been drawn from the original stock (6*60 mm 1075 steel bar). It's quite thin, almost the same thickness as the handle of an eating knife. This is not unknown however, thouhg it places this one at the thinner end of the spectrum. But with a thick glove on, it's quite OK.

The blade itself belies the apparent frailty of the handle . My left middle finger can attest it does cut. POB is at about 2" before the lower bar, which gives it lot of presence. Brass tubular 2 mm dia. rivets, oak scales.

Oh, and full quench, tempered to purple.

The scabbard is of sub-par quailty leather (gives it its rough appearance), naturally coloured, hand-stitched, with mild steel hand-made fittings.

Dimensions : OAL 428*90mm, blade is 310*38*4.5mm

Not for sale, but bartered for a nice Tulwar which makes me really happy



A Bowie knife :



Same steel as above (forged from a 6*45 mm 1075 steel bar), clay-quenched (the activity looks better IRL), tempered to blue.

Made according to the directions given by the most honourable James Marwood : point in line with the handle, 10" long blade, false edge about half the length of the blade, but not sharp for all its length and many other things ; I hope he will find it pleasing.


Boxwood handle, mild steel fittings (with a brass thingie for the rivet). PoB is about 1 cm before the Spanish notch. Haven't weighed it yet.

OAL 365*66 mm, blade is 248*36.6*5.6 mm. False edge is sharp on 2" down from the point.
And man this knife is sharp. It scares me.

Scabbard is as above. Not too happy with it, next will be better. Problems came from the steel sheet I used, which shown roller marks after final polishing. Better materials next time.

On its way to its owner.




A Big kitchen knife :

Made for a sardinian friend, inspired by traditional folding kives of smaller dimensions of his native island :



1075, HT same as the Marwie knife above, 375 mm for a 244mm blade (and 6 mm thick), Elm burl, midl steel, and mosaic pins.

[Derek Wassom]

That Bowie is sweeeeet! Feels great in the hand, too.

[Danny Grigg]

Fabrice can you post the pics of the Baselard again, they are no longer visible.

Thanks

Danny

[Fabrice Cognot]

My ISP suddenly decided I couldn't link to these from somewhere else. I'll try to get that fixed ASAP. Sorry for the annoyance.

[Mark T]

Hi Fabrice,

Sorry for the threadromancy - just wondering if you are able to re-post the pics, especially of the Bowie ...

[Fabrice Cognot]

Sure !

I can't edit the original post, but here are some of the pics :

Bowie :


Basilard :


Kitchen knife:

[Mark T]

Fantastic work - thanks for posting these, Fabrice!

[Philip Melhop]

Wow, that Bowie is very nice
Phil

[Constantin von Bernuth]

I love the slimness of the baselard handle. Very stylish!