[Josh MacNeil]

Hi all. A while back I made myself a knife for my 14th Century kit. The knife itself was completed months ago, but until now it hasn't had a decent scabbard to call home. So I figured now would be a good time to share. I want to give a special thanks to Tod of Tod's Stuff, who was kind enough to give me some helpful pointers while I was working on this, and whose own work served as an inspiration.

Now then, the knife. I based it on various specimens from Knives and Scabbards, mostly 14th Century pieces. The blade is an old Atlanta Cutlery bare blade I had lying around that I picked up years ago and never did anything with. After staring at it for an hour or so, I decided to rework it. After some aggressive (and slow) shaping with a file, I was able to re-profile into it's current shape. The handle is an old deer bone (which I oddly found in my basement; don't ask me how it got there ) which I then simply cut in half and attached to the tang using wooden shims and JB weld. And yes, I did clean the bone, thoroughly, with a peroxide soak and some gentle scrubbing with a toothbrush. So the "dirty" appearance is just staining.

The scabbard is made of two layers of 6 oz. veg tanned cowhide, and is also based on those from Knives and Scabbards. Hand cut, stitched, and decorated. I'm leaving the leather undyed, though I may hit it with some mink oil or neatsfoot oil to protect the leather.

I'm really happy with the way the whole project turned out. I hope you all enjoy it. Thanks for looking! Cheers.

- JM

[Josh MacNeil]

A few more shots.

[James Cunniffe]

Great job Josh very nice work .

[Jeremy V. Krause]

Great knife Josh!

I like it! I think what I like most is that it doesn't have that "rough n' ready" look that some home projects have. Putting something like that together really takes committment, and you can show it off to folks saying "I made this".

I'm just not crafty so I love to see others put together historically respectable pieces.

I see there is some "fuzziness" to the leather at the top of the throat. other forumites may be able to let you know how to remove that and seal it somewhat. You burn it in some way or other.

[Sean Flynt]

I just learned some critically important lessons from your photos, Josh. Many thanks!

[Nathan Robinson]

[Jeremy V. Krause]

[Josh MacNeil]

[Leo Todeschini]

Well Josh, I think you have done a great job.

When I think back to the first knives I was making with really nasty wooden scabbards and blades from converted Sabatier cooking knives and some frankly bizarre leatherwork I would say this a great first attempt. (none of you will ever get to see my first bollock dagger!)

The stiching is neat, the scabbard will be durable, it is nicely decorated in a manner similar to those in Knives and Scabbards and the use of the bone is great.

If I have one comment it is that I am not familiar with any knives that have left the knuckle on the end of the bone haft and a more plausible finish would be to cut the end off and fill with a bone or wooden plug and do a bit of file work on the bone. That said I like the look of the finished piece. Blade shape is very nicely proportioned by the way. IOn no way is this a criticism, merely my opinion and if looking at this stuff has taught me anything it is that just when you think something wasn't done, up it pops.

Regards

Tod

[Josh MacNeil]

Jeremey - I may burning the edges, I may not. I'd want to practice a on some scrap before I attacked the scabbard itself.

Tod - Yeah I see what you're saying about the handle, and I agree with you. I've never seen it done on any artifacts either, so it was more of an artistic choice with some plausible justification. I had originally intended on going the route you had mentioned by using the other half of the bone that's on there. Unfortunately, the other piece split lengthwise and probably wouldn't have been salvageable. When I was left with the current half, I decided I liked the unusual, primal look that the knuckle end gave off, so I just mounted it that way. I figure it's at least plausible, albeit uncommon. I think it lets you appreciate the natural organic beauty of the bone. It works well with the medieval outlaw woodsman persona I've put together too; something a hardened man of the wilds would appreciate.

I thank you all very much for the kinds words. Coming from an industry pro like Tod it is especially encouraging. Thanks again everyone!!! Cheers!

- JM

[Al Muckart]

That's a very nice piece of work, you've captured the aesthetic extremely well. Far better than I did the first time I made one!

Some technical hints to help make version 2 even better:

I've found slightly thinner leather gives a more refined shape. 4oz is good. It will also form well enough to avoid the 'ear' at the tip if you want to, which I've found almost unavoidable with 6oz.

You avoid an area of weakness if you make the inner layer with the seam to the front of the scabbard so the seams are opposite each other in the finished piece rather than both at the back. I think this is how the originals are made too.

If you use a stitch that comes out the edge of the leather rather than going right through grain-flesh, you can get the edges to butt right up to each other smoothly. It takes practice, and a small, sharp awl. On several examples I've seen documented the inner layer is whip-stitched in that fashion so the seam is smooth but the outer seam is stitched through an upturned lip which is trimmed and burnished down rather than being a butted seam. It's easier to explain with pictures:
http://wherearetheelves.net/knife-sheath/

Keep doing what you're doing

[Sean Flynt]

[Josh MacNeil]