Falcata style Falcon knife...

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
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Playing with shapes these days and this one is a short falcata style blade, perahps a companion or backup knife for an ancient soldier. Falcata handles are often shaped like horse heads but as I envisioned this one, I saw more of a falcon head.. So I went with it and carried the idea into a talon like guard and into the sheath.

This one is W2 with a 13 5/8" blade and is 19" OAL. The fittings are wrought iron and copper with an aged white oak handle and hemp wrap as the falcon's collar.










 
...have I mentioned in the last thirty seconds just how effin' cool you are?

Cuz if I havent, I meant to.

:D


Awesome stuff, man. That piece just sweeps!!!
 
Mean-lookin' beauty!
 
That piece is complemented so well by the sheath, and the innovation in handle/guard design really works, IMO--attractive blade profile, also. I like the brut d' forge left on the upper blade, too, but the longitudinal "striped" look from the three roughly symmetrical areas of forged, unhardened and hardened blade is somehow distracting to me, personally. Overall, I really like the piece. :thumbup:
 
Thanks!!

I can see what you mean Will. It could easily be hand sanded though to remove that effect if one preferred. It has one of those hamons that if you want to display it you either leave like this or take it to full polish. Lots of activity.
 
Got it. :thumbup:

Also, I'm thinking that the static image you get from a photograph doesn't equate to seeing the knife in-hand, especially with all the shimmer and light play you'd get from a polished hamon.
 
dadgum you are one clever bastid!
 
Stuart,
EXTREMELY VISUALLY APPEALING !!!!
You got ALOT of NEAT THINGS GOING ON with shapes, material textures, colors, and contrasts.
The Handle Color and Grain has an authentic look.
VERY NICE BLADE.
BEAUTIFUL SHEATH !!!!
 
I know I'm not the only one who thinks, "Oh boy, a new thread by Stuart Branson!!!!!!"

And then is never disappointed upon opening the thread. :)
 
mine :)
 
SWEET!
There is lots of eye candy and wows there! A real beauty & work horse, or Falcon?

Tell me please, is the hemp wrap at the rear of the handle a traditional thing or a ring & pinky traction invention of your own?l
 
Thanks.. The hemp is my addition, something I have done on other pieces with the oak and rough steel theme. In this case though, the placement was mostly aesthetic, to convey the sense of the falcon. It is to mimic the look of the the light band that falls between the dark head of the falcon and it's body. The bump in the handle is like the wing.
peregrine-falcon1.jpg


I suppose it could add a slight measure of grip but the hook of the falcon's beak does that much better. This knife can just hang off your hand.
 
Just WOW.

Will, I fall on the other side of that preference: the three longitudinal 'stripes' completely MAKE it captivating for me.

Of course it would also look spectacular with a 'plain' blade.

Lorien takes a shot and SCORES! :D

Good thread.

Coop
 
Well it does convey the neck band of the Falcon's head well.
I am also one that love's & makes worker/using knives ether for kitchen or camp I am always looking for ways to make the handle grip experience as positive in purchase and looks as possible.

Its hard to beat the look & feel of good o'l Oak for a handle wood. :) The falcon's heads ability to encompass the Abductor digit minimi muscle of the hand/palm reminds me of the Greek Copis sword.
 
the handle is compact and proportioned perfectly for my hand, with the guard just far enough away that you wouldn't know it was there if you didn't look.

the pinky is cradled by the hook, and I'll find out this weekend whether the hook makes for a hotspot or not. Regardless, from a weapon standpoint, one's hand would have to become very weak to lose purchase on this thing.

I had intended to resell this knife at a ridiculous profit, which is really easy since Stuart charges WAY too little for his work, and then split the profit with him. But, I think I'm going to hold on to this one for awhile and do what I do. If I sell it after I get some good use out of it, I'll still make a profit, a portion of which will go back to the Bransonator.

I've been talking with Stu about his pricing for awhile now, and I think it's starting to sink in. Those of you with the good fortune to own a Branson have in your possession a solid investment. The rest of you will just have to save up a little more in order to get some Branson magic. It'll still be worth it.

Just wait til you see the next Branson piece I have to share with you. After this weekend....
 
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