Info Favorites Register Log in
myArmoury.com Discussion Forums

Forum index Memberlist Usergroups Spotlight Topics Search
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Alternatives to boxwood for ballock dagger hilts Reply to topic
This is a standard topic  
Author Message
Al Muckart




Location: NZ
Joined: 27 Dec 2005

Posts: 309

PostPosted: Thu 19 Oct, 2006 6:14 pm    Post subject: Alternatives to boxwood for ballock dagger hilts         Reply with quote

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.

--
Al.
http://wherearetheelves.net
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Tim Harris
Industry Professional



Location: Melbourne, Australia
Joined: 06 Sep 2006

Posts: 168

PostPosted: Thu 19 Oct, 2006 9:45 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

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
View user's profile Send private message
Justin King
Industry Professional



Location: flagstaff,arizona
Joined: 12 Apr 2004
Reading list: 20 books

Posts: 551

PostPosted: Fri 20 Oct, 2006 4:18 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Damson, pear and maple have been mentioned to me as woods that were commonly used for medieval dagger handles.
View user's profile Send private message
Alex B.





Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Reading list: 2 books

Posts: 20

PostPosted: Mon 23 Oct, 2006 9:43 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

A&A makes their ballock hilts from maple.
View user's profile Send private message
Kevin Toomey





Joined: 28 Oct 2004

Posts: 24

PostPosted: Thu 26 Oct, 2006 9:53 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

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.
View user's profile Send private message


Display posts from previous:   
Forum Index > Historical Arms Talk > Alternatives to boxwood for ballock dagger hilts
Page 1 of 1 Reply to topic
All times are GMT - 8 Hours

View previous topic :: View next topic
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum






All contents © Copyright 2003-2024 myArmoury.com — All rights reserved
Discussion forums powered by phpBB © The phpBB Group
Switch to the Basic Low-bandwidth Version of the forum