[Leo Todeschini]

Hi All,

On my workshop wall are pictures of things I have made, things that inspire and things that one day I will make and amongst these is a rondel I love.

The original is I think in the Army Museum in Paris but not entirely sure and I only have a side view of it. I eventually got around to making a piece heavily based on it and here it is.

The form of it if overll pretty similar, except that I believe the original top rondel is octagonal and I also of course could not see what if anything is going on on the top face. Because of this I used a design off a bollock dagger cap as the basis for the top of this rondel.

I did all of the mastering work and knife and scabbard making and Michael Anderson sculpted the Madonna and child.

The wood is box and the fittings are bronze.

I hope you like it

Tod

[Jean Thibodeau]

Impressive work: I really like the cream coloured wood contrasting with the bronze fittings.

Lovely file work and detailing of the bronze fittings and the scabbard + chape really harmonize with the whole rondel.

The low relief sculpture on the top rondel is really well drawn and executed and looks very period in style.

The blade looks to me to be and almost square/diamond section and very robust.


The top rondel in the pic of the original I could make a few guessed about it's shape:

A) Octagonal as you suggest.
B) Octagonal but with rounded corners.
C) Octagonal but also alternating subtlety concave on the sides and rounded at the corners, but very softly.
D) Round or octagonal originally but worn or slightly deformed, but hard to know for sure because of the angle of the rondel in the pic.

Leo, maybe you can add a few statistics about the blade and rondel dimensions, weight and handling ?

These very conical handles are usually meant to be used only with the ice pic grip and are comfortable with this grip, but not very functional with a forward grip.

[Tristán Zukowski]

Amazing work, as always. I always love seeing pictures of your creations!

[Aaron Hoard]

Saw this earlier on your FB page - truly, amazing work.

[J. Hargis]

Tod:

As the owner of five of your pieces, I can only wonder how your output seems to go unabated. One work after the other that just knock me out cold. Incredible skill, artistry, and work ethic. There are only a few like you. Thanks.

Jon

[Tyler Keich]

Not my period of interest, but I have to say, this is amazingly beautiful. Your work is always fantastic, but this is a truly great piece. Keep up the good work!

[Justin King]

Fantastic work, Todd. You captured the proportions of the original very nicely, and the details look just right. I have had the same problem with not being able to find a photo of the pommel top, a pity since it offers such a rich surface for decoration. I like the way you chose to solve that on this piece.


Is there a date or time period associated with the original, or any other provenance that you are aware of? I have seen pieces of similar design associated with the Landsknechts, but I wonder if the association is occasionally made in error, some styles at least must have been in more general use.

[Leo Todeschini]

Thanks guys, I really appredciate it.

Thanks Jon - 5 pieces really?

Justin King wrote

[Joe Fults]

That is just excellent.

Over the top in a very nice way!

[J. Hargis]

[Carsten Oksen]

Hello Tod.

I actually have a picture of the top of that very dagger, so if you have not already found it, here it is.