Another DIY Rondel Dagger -- myArmoury.com

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 11:17 am Post subject: Another DIY Rondel Dagger

This piece is intended to represent a common German soldier's rondel dagger (Scheibendolch) of ca. 1510. Two examples depicted by Albrecht Dürer in woodcuts dated 1510 served as inspiration (see images below). Mine combines elements of both, but is in some ways speculative because the illustrations don't show details of the orignals' blades. They appear to be relatively broad and of flattened diamond section, though.

Components for my project included an 8" Arkansas Toothpick blade from Atlanta Cutlery (approx. $12), two large washers from Lowes, poplar for the grip, chamois for the grip cover (no cord underwrap-I've found that a temporary cord overwrap during drying gives the neatest effect), and a modified wing nut for the pommel nut. That's it. Less than $20 in parts.

I assembled the piece with JB Weld, slipped on the modified wingnut and cold-peened the tang before the JB Weld set. Of course, it was much more work than that–carving, filing, wrapping, polishing, sanding, etc.

I'm not thrilled with my freehand shaping of the grip (a concave cylindrical taper is much more challenging than a straight taper unless you have a lathe, and I don't have one). The textured grip wrap is speculative and probably not correct, but I think it looks nice and improves the feel of the weapon (the horizontal lines on the grip in the first of the illustrations below don't suggest a wrap. Rather, I think they're just engraving lines to indicate the shape of the object). I switched lower rondels at the last minute and did a sloppy job of filing the replacement, so it doesn't quite sit flush with the blade as planned. The edges of the peen split slightly (another lesson learned), but I'm not unhappy with the result. This is supposed to be a common soldier's weapon, after all. The finished piece feels very comfortable, tight and strong, and the proportions seem about right, judging from the Dürer woodcuts. It looks kind of pitiful compared to Risto's recent creation, but I'm still learning.

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Hey Sean... sounds great but is there a picture here somewhere that I'm not seeing?

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 11:30 am Post subject:

Sorry about that, Russ! You caught me just as I was tweaking the photos. They should all show now. I thought about you while making this piece because I was also thinking about whether or not to make a sheath as well. Might still do it.

Kirk Lee Spencer · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:17 pm Post subject:

very nice work Sean!

I really like the overall design... It really flows together.

ks

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

John Cooksey · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:30 pm Post subject:

Sweet!!!

That is very, very cool.
And, IMO, very much "in the spirit" of making do with whatcha got.

Glen A Cleeton · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:31 pm Post subject:

Looks great. A simple workaround for small lathe work could have been a carraige bolt and nut. Long enough that the threads can chuck in a drill. Small stuff can be done, paper in one hand, drill in the other but you can clamp the drill down.

With enough shop space, a small spring pole lathe could be slapped together pretty quickly.

Cheers

GC

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:46 pm Post subject:

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:47 pm Post subject:

Wolfgang Armbruster · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 12:58 pm Post subject:

This one looks great, the blade seems be quite thick and durable.

The woodcuts are amazing as well. Do you know where I can get the full versions? Happy

The upper one appears to be by Dürer. And I thought I know all his works Wink

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 1:32 pm Post subject:

Both of these illustrations are by Dürer and can be found in The Complete Woodcuts of Albrecht Dürer, which is only about $13 USD. Wolfgang can get in Germany by following this link: http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486210...63-1431741
Americans should get it through the myArmoury site by clicking here: http://www.myArmoury.com/books/item.php?ASIN=0486210979.

I have found this book to be a goldmine of visual information about German arms and armour of the late 15th/early 16th century. The artist was very familiar with the martial arts, so I have extra confidence in the accuracy of his depictions. The reproductions in this Dover Book are bright, crisp and copyright-free! I darkened the samples here to highlight the dagger.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Very nice job, Sean! The hilt work looks very nice. The blade looks a little "fat" compared to most rondel daggers I've seen, but I also understand that you're working with what's available. Have you seen any examples of originals with less acute tips such as with the Atlanta cutlery blade?

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject:

Joe Fults · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 2:27 pm Post subject:

Very well done for a McGiver job. :-)

Wonder what it would be like with thicker washers...assuming some could be found.

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 2:38 pm Post subject:

Sean Flynt · Posted: Thu 01 Dec, 2005 5:47 pm Post subject:

These photos show the piece at various stages of completion. Note the size and length of the tang. Very generous and solid and of a piece with the blade.

Russ Ellis · Industry Professional

Greg Griggs · Posted: Fri 02 Dec, 2005 9:02 am Post subject:

Nice job Sean. Like the way you used simple items to make such a neat piece. FYI - they make what is called a "machine" washer that is readily available which is double the thickness of a normal washer, and are still inexpensive.

Bill Grandy · myArmoury Team

Wow, Sean, your pictures make it look so simple! I'm almost tempted to give this a try myself!

Sean Flynt · Posted: Fri 02 Dec, 2005 10:12 am Post subject: