[Al Muckart]

Hi all,

I have a ballock dagger in progress - the blade is being built by a bladesmith friend of mine and I'm going to do the hilt.

I'm having a hard time finding a source of boxwood on this side of the world, so I'm wondering what alternative woods were used for hilts.

I've seen people use oak in reproductions but it strikes me as too prone to splitting.

Thanks.

[Tim Harris]

Al,

I've had good results with holly. It is regarded as a noxious plant in the hills on the edge of Melbourne, where it took hold when people were keen on "Old World" gardens.
It's a dense white wood (traditionally used for white chess pieces), and you should be able to find some in NZ.

Cheers

Tim Harris

[Justin King]

Damson, pear and maple have been mentioned to me as woods that were commonly used for medieval dagger handles.

[Alex B.]

A&A makes their ballock hilts from maple.

[Kevin Toomey]

maybe one of these places can help.
http://www.righteouswoods.net/boxwood_european_pics.html
http://www.forloversofwood.com/templates/temp...&i=mus

Maybe, I say because it doesn't seem to be too easy to find, and it cost like it's rare. I would talk to landscaper's to see if any old gardens are being remodeled as a long shot.

maybe canarywood, it's fairly dense and fine, and yellow. Search for "silverberry" on ebay there is a guy with some japanese boxwood for hammer handles. maybe he can get a custom size.