A quick side project (hopefully!)
I got hold of one of both "Lord of Battles" rondels last year. For the price, I was pleasantly surprised: well put together, sturdy, historically plausible (from some distance).



Both are sturdy, perfect candidates for upgrades. It took me 2 minutes to disassemble - good surprise as nothing is glued. A few pass on the "peened" tang top and I was able to unscrew everything.

Nut and top rondel are simply screwed on. Wood grip and brackets are loose, which could not be better to tweak and play around with. So for 57$, I have a dagger kit including a nice roped wooden grip, 2 grip brackets, a very sturdy triangular blade (with a beefy threaded tang), 2 nicely shaped rondels (the discs tapper towards the edge), a steel scabbard shape I can work with. Scabbard and bayonnet style loop suspension had a one way trip to the bin. Most of the hard work is done, everything is pre-assembled and ready for tweaks...so pretty happy with a purchase I was not fully convinced about.

This will be an excuse to do an rondel scabbard, always wanted to make one of those, but I could not resist and started messing about with the discs and wooden grip. I'll make the grip profile more subtle, file work the grip brackets, peen the all thing. I've started working on the discs - black and decker power file...35 minutes so far. I'll refine with dremel and file work.

Way cool, Julien! I've been mulling over getting one of those! Now that I see it disassembled, I believe it's a must have! That thing is built like a tank! I have no doubt that you will do something over the top with it! ........McM

Oooh! Exciting project! I've wondered about those as project pieces, so this will be fun to watch.

Mine's ordered! I see some silver wire wrap on a grip and some file-worked rondels in my future. Sheath.....not too sure yet....may keep the bottom chape and build around it. Whatever I do, I'm sure yours will look a damn-sight better, Julien! Can't wait to see what you come up with! :D ..............McM

Julien,

Thanks much for the lead. Had started a rondel project several months ago and was considering butchering an old bayonet for the blade.

Regards,
Dan

Just thought about maybe doing some piercings on the spacers---Dremel work---and having colored felt or leather underneath that would show through. Probably red or green. A certain fantastic looking 'iron hat' here in the forums gave me the idea. :D Hmmm....should I ever decide to sell it, bet I know who would buy it! ;) :D ............McM