Hunting Dagger -- myArmoury.com

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sun 17 May, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject: Hunting Dagger

I just finished this piece last night. It's a birthday present for a very good friend of mine.

It's based on a 'generic' 16thC hunting dagger, but this style of knife continued to be carried centuries later by sailors etc.

The pommel and guard are brass. I carved the shell/guard from 3mm sheet and turned the handle and (screw) pommel. The blade is 10.5" long carbon steel that I did not make myself, but I had to re-profile and sharpen it.

It's turned out to be remarkably well balanced and lively, so I think I will make another for my own collection (this one is going to a good home where it will be cherished).

D. Austin · Industry Professional

That's really nice work Julien.

It's quite an under represented type of weapon in the reproduction field. The blade suits the fittings perfectly. If you do make another, please share it also.

Darren.

Ross McCarthy · Posted: Mon 18 May, 2009 12:44 am Post subject:

That's very nice Julian - can you let us know how you finished the blade - looks nice and clean .....
You've prompted me to post some of my work with daggers which I must do soon !

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Mon 18 May, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys.

Ross - I profiled the blade (carefully!) using a belt sander, then went through the grades of sandpaper polishing it, ending up with a satin finish at around 400 grit. I don't like shiny, highly polished blades as I think they look 'unauthentic' (and besides, they never stay shiny without lots of work!).

It's not a perfect polish, but I think that also adds to its 'authentic' look.

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Mon 25 Apr, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject:

Rather than start a new thread, I thought I would add to this old one of mine with a similar piece: I spent the long Easter weekend making up another dirk/dagger incorporating elements from pieces I have made in the past that really appealed - the spiral carved grip, the carved shell guard, lots of shiny brass!

The blade on this is a heavily modified parrying dagger blade, 13.5" long, the original blade was not made by me! The brassware/woodwork is entirely my own work. It's a large piece (19.5" overall) but still very elegant and in proportion.

I made this one for myself, and it turned out to be a challenging and worthwhile project. Hope it inspires you all.

Julian

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Mon 02 May, 2011 3:44 am Post subject:

Another long holiday weekend (thanks Will & Kate!) and time to finish off another hunting dirk/dagger. This time, instead of spirals and lobes, I have gone for a more angular (Germanic?) feel. Again, blade is a modified parrying dagger blade by others, everything else is my own work. Everything on this dagger is octagonal (ie. has 8 facets) from the grip to the guard to the ferrule etc. etc.

Time to move on to something different - I've made a start on another bollock dagger (I gave my last 2 away). I'll post pics when it's done (eventually!).

Thanks for looking,

Julian

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Mon 02 May, 2011 3:46 am Post subject:

And here's a side-by-side shot of the two daggers:

Christopher Treichel · Posted: Mon 02 May, 2011 10:32 am Post subject:

Looks very nice... I was just in the Smithsonian Museum of the Native American and they had something just like it in the European Edged weapons case.

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sat 07 May, 2011 8:19 am Post subject:

Before the heavens opened up and soaked everything (including my Dremel - boo hoo!), I had the chance this morning to complete yet another dagger.

This time, I wanted something workmanlike - an everyday huntin' & killin' dagger, if you like - so instead of the fancy brassware, there is a simple cross (less finely cast than the others) without a shell/side guard and a simple brass pommel knob and ferrule. The blade is from the same place as the others, and is again 13.5" long, but this time it's got a satin finish, and has a few slight dings in it. The grip is a piece of antique walnut, and has a waisted (18thC?) profile that is simple yet very elegant (at least, I think so!). A word of advice from my bandaged thumb - don't sharpen the blade until after you mount it to the hilt!!

Hope it inspires you all to similar efforts. Next weekend, I must get on with these bollock daggers (once my thumb is back in action!).

Julian

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sat 07 May, 2011 8:50 am Post subject:

And for those of you out there who are unsure how to use such daggers, here's a little illustration showing the proper way to bring down a stag when in full view of the Queen (Elizabeth 1 in this case), taken from Blackmore's "Hunting Weapons" in turn taken from the memorial brass of John Selwyn, Walton-on-Thames.

Please do not try this at home, folks!

Thomas R. · Posted: Sun 08 May, 2011 1:46 pm Post subject:

Wow. Really very pretty pieces! I like them.

And the picture is hilarious... But what bothers me... How did he came on to the stags back in he first place? Did they really do this back then?

Best regards,
Thomas

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sun 08 May, 2011 2:08 pm Post subject:

Thomas,

Thanks,

Apparently, John Selwyn (d.1587) was a Keeper at Oatlands Park, who leaped from his horse at full gallop onto the back of a stag, then brought it down at the feet of the Queen!

Not something I'd ever like to try myself, but I bet it got her (Elizabeth I) attention and probably made him the talk of the court for a while.

Julian

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Sun 28 Aug, 2011 12:27 am Post subject:

Another addition to my dagger collection (just finished polishing this up this morning). I wanted to make something that had a more 'maritime' feel to it.

The blade is the same 13.5" one as in the above daggers (I need to get some more of these as I don't have many left). The grip is a piece of old oak. All the brassware I made myself from sheet/bar/rod etc.

It's another simple, functional design that looks really elegant and practical (for a dagger!), but in order to give it that 'sea dog' look, I added a compass rose/north star feature pinned to the pommel cap, which finishes the design off nicely.

Julian

Julian Reynolds · Posted: Tue 13 Sep, 2011 12:43 pm Post subject:

And here's another one I just finished this evening. It has the same type of 13.5" blade as the others, and all the brasswork was done from bar and sheet stock. This time, however, I made the grip from a lovely piece of laburnum wood.

Again, I hope it inspires you all to try some ideas out yourselves. I know I have hugely enjoyed wasting my weekends making these (dodging the rainstorms and gales of a British Summer!) - I am left with a collection that is truly unique, truly an expression of my personal tastes, and truly meets my high (self) critical expectations!

Julian