Hi,

A new creation. Decided to try one for myself !
There is more pictures and comments here...

antoinemarcal.wordpress.com

Thank you!

---

 Attachment: 77.43 KB

That is a nice looking dagger, Antoine. I like the grip, which seems to have a slightly concave profile. What led you to choose the red copper button at the peen? The color offers a nice, bright contrast from the rest of the piece, but I'm not sure whether I like it or not.

As i explained on my site, this dagger is a prototype, so I tried a few techniques I never used before or that I've learned recently.
The coloring copper is one of them, given to me by a fellow blacksmith. The contrast is not as bold in real life, the picture enhanced it I find. It seem possible to control somewhat the shade of red obtained, a darker one would probably be best. More experiment on the way!!
It might lack a bit of uniformity...
I like the handle shape also, it leads the hand nicely on the guard, very comfortable...

Antoine M.

Very nice but your link in your post to your web site doesn't seem to work and I think it's just because it's missing the WWW
in the front of it ?

So here is the link to your site for others benefit: http://antoinemarcal.wordpress.com/

Note to others this one is for sale and it a prototype and the price is very tempting. ;) :cool: ( $140 U.S. )

If my toy budget wasn't way over spent at the moment I would be very tempted ! :lol:

Very nice work and I do have your site " bookmarked " for future reference.

ANTOINE:
Oh, since is the Maker's Forum you might be able to have a " button " at the bottom of each of your posts to connect with your web site. ( Ask Nathan about it if it's not something you can add yourself. )

This is like the buttons at the bottom of each message that says " PROFILE ", " SEND E-MAIL ", " SEND PM ",
one that says " VISIT WEB "

Thank's for the correction Jean, I'll add a link in my signature...

Antoine M.

Traditionnaly, you can color metals either with chemicals or heat.
On copper with chemicals(patinas), black to brown / reddish browns and some greens. You actually accelerate the aging process in a control way. Patinating ia an art in itself, I met people in art foundry working only in developping patinas on sculptures, the colors they can acheive combining different chemicals is truly incredible.
This one was done with a fair amount of heat, an orange heat, and quenching it in water...It seems to hold up quite good as I textured the button after coloring it, we'll se over time how it behaves.

Antoine M.

I can't find a price listed for it.

Does that mean it is sold now?

Antoine,

I've PMed you regarding this blade, as I can't find the contact info for you on the site.

Keith

I really like the look of this dagger. Something about the proportions and the lines makes it more appealing to me than many rondels I have seen.

Thank's everyone!

The dagger is sold, pending payment.

Thank's Allen, the thing about the lines on this dagger is that the back of the blade tapers right from the guard down to the point. The edge though, is almost straight fo one third of the blade. IT creates a nice "mouvement", a bit like a very narrow seax...I guess I can't completely rid myself of my love of seax!!

I modifed my site, adding a contact page. Thank's for pointing that problem out.

By the way, I'm working on design for a baselard, I have a couple of questions, I'll post them in the historical arms talk.

Thank's again for the feedbacks!

Antoine Marçal

Antoine;

Keep posting what you are working on because as your work gets better known it should help feeding the family and many potential clients mean that you can spend more of your time concentrating on the work than worrying about finding new clients.

Like all self-employed people building up a clientele is essential but not always where you want ( enjoy ) to put in the most time.

I look forward to seeing more of your work. :D :cool: