[Harry Marinakis]

Does anyone know whether or not there is any evidence for mosaic wood knife handles during the medieval period?

By mosaic, I mean checkerboard-like patterns of light and dark wood squares glued together, then shaped to a handle.

Thanks.

[Mark Moore]

I've never , personally, seen or heard of one. Not to say there were none, though. Sounds to me like the design would be kinda flimsy. One good drop on a hard floor and it might go to pieces. I'll bet you might have given Leo T. an idea, though. Betcha it would be purty! ........McM

[Jeffrey Faulk]

As far as I know, what you describe is a very modern technique that originated with lathe turners. Turning a glued-up piece of wood is old hat to them, but it only started being used in an artistic fashion fairly recently with the advent of modern glues that could take the stress of lathe turning combined with woods of differing strengths. This would not have been a medieval technique at all.

Now, one possibility is *inlay*-- that is, a wood stock being inlaid with other woods or materials such as bone or metal. This is certainly possible, especially for prestige items, but I would not expect to see it in an utilitarian or fighting item.

[Mart Shearer]

Parquetry is more a 17th and 18th century practice, isn't it?

[Harry Marinakis]

Thanks all

I saw this knife elsewhere, and although it is not "period" I thought a similar handle would look good on a ballock dagger.

[Mark Moore]

Wow....that is bangin' cool! And yes, a ballock was the first thing that popped into my mind!.........McM