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Paul Hansen
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 Posted: Sun 13 Dec, 2020 1:18 am Post subject: |
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Happy birthday Patrick!
Beautiful dagger!
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Michael P. Smith
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| Posted: Mon 14 Dec, 2020 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Really nice set you have there.
I aspire to own a Johnsson original piece someday. We'll see if that ever happens. 
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Arne G.
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| Posted: Mon 14 Dec, 2020 10:03 am Post subject: |
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| Patrick Kelly wrote: | | Arne G. wrote: | | How does the A&A version of this type of dagger compare with Peter's? |
No criticism toward A&A, but that's really like comparing a Ford F150 to a Ferrari Testarossa (or whatever analogy car guys like to use). The A&A lacks much of the subtle shaping present in Peters example. However, the A&A is a solid entry at its price point and one I'd recommend. I won't comment on the price of the PJ, except to say, if you're going to climb that high you'd better take some oxygen. The A&A offering is made to a price point in order to be a competitive product and I think it succeeds. This dagger is a one off, made by a master smith with an eye towards execution of fine detail and authenticity, without the concerns of affordability and repeatability in a production environment. They both succeed in their intent, but they're really two different things. |
I'm curious about the "subtle shaping" you mention. Could you elaborate? I'm aware of at least some of the production short cuts taken by A&A - for example, the use of a threaded nut to compress the hilt assembly which is then peened. While the purist in me snubs its nose, having reworked a couple of older A&A pieces I can certainly appreciate the ease which it brings to the assembly process!
I suspect at least part of it is having a reinforced tip - there is an example up for sale on the classifieds here for an arming sword with this feature - and I believe that is a detail often, if not invariably, missed in most reproductions today. There are a lot of small but important details such as those that go missing, since they seem to be unpublished. I'd dearly love to see Peter Johnsson or Tobias Capwell publish a book dedicated to Medieval daggers that, in addition to the hilt types and variations, goes into the subtle details of the blade form and so forth.
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Mon 14 Dec, 2020 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Arne G. wrote: |
I'm curious about the "subtle shaping" you mention. Could you elaborate? I'm aware of at least some of the production short cuts taken by A&A - for example, the use of a threaded nut to compress the hilt assembly which is then peened. While the purist in me snubs its nose, having reworked a couple of older A&A pieces I can certainly appreciate the ease which it brings to the assembly process!
I suspect at least part of it is having a reinforced tip - there is an example up for sale on the classifieds here for an arming sword with this feature - and I believe that is a detail often, if not invariably, missed in most reproductions today. There are a lot of small but important details such as those that go missing, since they seem to be unpublished. I'd dearly love to see Peter Johnsson or Tobias Capwell publish a book dedicated to Medieval daggers that, in addition to the hilt types and variations, goes into the subtle details of the blade form and so forth. |
Compare the A&A dagger here to the photos above.
The pommel on the A&A dagger is perfect circle and lacks the subtle oval shape of the Johnsson , or the original.
The guard on the A&A is far more blocky than the Johnsson and lacks the latters more elegant shaping.
The A&As fuller is a simple pencil fuller machined down the blade's center line, lacking the graceful shape and matching profile of the Johnsson.
As shown, the grip treatment on the A&A offering is far more basic and less detailed. The A&A's blade is ground from stock and the hilt components are investment cast, compared to the forged nature of the Johnsson.
None of this results in a bad product, but rather a product built to a price point, with concerns towards repeatability and production time. For the stated $350.00 I think the A&A is a nice piece.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
Last edited by Patrick Kelly on Mon 14 Dec, 2020 4:14 pm; edited 2 times in total
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Mon 14 Dec, 2020 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Paul Hansen wrote: | Happy birthday Patrick!
Beautiful dagger! |
Thank you Paul. It was a nice treat and I breathed a sigh of relief when it arrived unmolested. The Tod Dagger that was supposed to be my B-day present is sitting in purgatory at the PO's International Shipping Center in Chicago, a place commonly known as "where packages go to die". Given the facilities track record it might be here by next Christmas. .
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Mon 14 Dec, 2020 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Michael P. Smith wrote: | Really nice set you have there.
I aspire to own a Johnsson original piece someday. We'll see if that ever happens. |
It only took me twenty years to acquire these two, so patience.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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Harry Marinakis
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| Posted: Thu 17 Dec, 2020 7:37 am Post subject: |
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I down-loaded Peter's photos of the original, and I plan to make of these for myself. It's a beauty.
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Russ Ellis
Industry Professional
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| Posted: Sun 20 Dec, 2020 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations on the acquisition! There's four makers I want to acquire pieces from. Vince Evans (been very fortunate there) Peter Johhnson, Patrick Barta and Jacob Powning (foolishly let my Powning piece go years ago.) So far I'm 1 for 4 and a bit green with envy! I'm really excited for you!
TRITONWORKS Custom Scabbards
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Patrick Kelly
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| Posted: Mon 21 Dec, 2020 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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| Russ Ellis wrote: | | Congratulations on the acquisition! There's four makers I want to acquire pieces from. Vince Evans (been very fortunate there) Peter Johhnson, Patrick Barta and Jacob Powning (foolishly let my Powning piece go years ago.) So far I'm 1 for 4 and a bit green with envy! I'm really excited for you! |
Thanks Russ,
I've always had much the same list. I've owned a couple of Evan's and a Barta, wish I'd kept the Barta. I doubt I'll ever own a Powning, but I love his work. I'll have to make do with two Johnssons.
"In valor there is hope.".................. Tacitus
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This is a standard topic