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Fabrice Cognot
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Location: Dijon
Joined: 29 Sep 2004

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PostPosted: Tue 01 Mar, 2011 5:50 pm    Post subject: Basilard...for a change....         Reply with quote

As this thing is about to leave me for realms far too much to the West of here, I present you a big, fat basilard with a lot of presence.






The entire H-shaped hilt has been hand-forged and shows (well, under the scales, that is) a profile very similar to what's visible on period examples (browse this site's galleries for a quick check) with a deep groove in the grip resulting from the hand-forging, and a flattened ring forming the upper bar - but that was also the point. The 'quillons' also were drawn from the same stock of 1075 40x6 mm bar. As you can see, the grip thickens towards the top, as observed again on several examples.

The blade shows (fainlty) a differential temper, the thicker areas near the spine remaining unhardened. The fullers were first hand-forged in, then ground to shape.


Scales are elm wood from my father-in-law's very own garden, with brass tubular pins.


The scabbard is vegetable-tanned leather, naturaly dyed with vinegar and iron oxydes ; the fittings are mild steel.



Though basilards of this era tend to have a more triangular blade, 'fat' examples such as this one are also known, and the customer wanted something to match his remarkable physical presence. Oh, and until recently my thumb was here to prove it does cut too - I was simply hand polishing the blade when I noticed this red, liquid thing on my right hand. Healing proved far more painful than the faint brush I barely felt....



Dimensions :

Length : 403 mm
Width : 71 mm
Blade : 281 x39,8 mm ; 5 mm thick.
Max tang thickness: 8 mm



Making this beast of a basilard (for such an early type, I mean) helped me to answer several questions and test a few theories I had about the processes involved.


The only bad thing......is that I now want to make more of these !

PhD in medieval archeology.
HEMAC member
De Taille et d'Estoc director
Maker of high quality historical-inspired pieces.
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Peter Johnsson
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Location: Storvreta, Sweden
Joined: 27 Aug 2003
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PostPosted: Tue 01 Mar, 2011 11:43 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Well that one came out really nicely!
Good work Fab :-)

(nice to see you have time for this kind of work in between your writing: satisfying, I´m sure ;-)
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Andrew McKinnon




Location: Sydney
Joined: 08 Feb 2007

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PostPosted: Wed 02 Mar, 2011 1:03 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

What a lovely piece! Nicely Done.
Andrew McKinnon
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Fabrice Cognot
Industry Professional



Location: Dijon
Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Posts: 354

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PostPosted: Wed 02 Mar, 2011 3:02 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Peter Johnsson wrote:
Well that one came out really nicely!
Good work Fab :-)

(nice to see you have time for this kind of work in between your writing: satisfying, I´m sure ;-)



Frustrating, you mean ! Took me well over a year to finish - but you know the feeling.....

See you soon I hope & thanks for the kind words Happy

PhD in medieval archeology.
HEMAC member
De Taille et d'Estoc director
Maker of high quality historical-inspired pieces.
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Philip Melhop




Location: Wokingham, Berkshire, UK
Joined: 24 May 2008

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PostPosted: Wed 02 Mar, 2011 3:52 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Blimey that is a good looking dagger Eek! Eek! Big Grin Big Grin Big Grin
Phil
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Danny Grigg




PostPosted: Fri 04 Mar, 2011 1:44 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Fabrice

Great looking Baselard. Is it based on a surviving example at all?
If so have you got any pics or information on the original?

What's the weight by the way?

Thanks

Danny
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Fabrice Cognot
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Location: Dijon
Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Posts: 354

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PostPosted: Mon 07 Mar, 2011 5:55 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Hi Danny


It's not a slavish copy of an original, if that's what you're asking. But its dimensions and features (and details and, well, flaws) are closely inspired by several examples that I should be able to list if I could manage some time for that (which is hard for me at the moment).

I haven't weighted it, but I suppose it's in the 300 grams range (with the scabbard).


And thanks Happy

PhD in medieval archeology.
HEMAC member
De Taille et d'Estoc director
Maker of high quality historical-inspired pieces.
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website


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