Hanford Miller ~ Viking Dagger

HTMD

HTMD

Joined
Feb 15, 2002
Messages
1,705
Had a chance to photograph this beautiful Viking dagger recently. OAL 18 1/2", Blade is
12 3/8", 5160 steel. Fittings are nickel silver.

I didn't have it long enough to shoot more angles on it, which is too bad because all the curves in the handle are ellipses. That may not seem like such a big deal but I haven't seen it that often and the overall effect is quite nice. The pommel is of the classic "lobated Viking" style which dates back to the first half of the 12th century. Another nice detail: the spiral grain pattern in the handle runs opposite the grooves in the (double) guard.

Hanford Miller is an ABS mastersmith and retired board member. He does commissioned pieces for loyal patrons who never seem to get enough of his work - so he's not that well known. I've never seen any of his knives on the secondary market. He and Bill Moran were close friends for many years. Very nice guy and quite a character too.

Quiz! What kind of wood did he use in the handle?

orig.jpg
 
Oak it is, but in this case it's quarter sawn curly white oak. It's beautiful stuff, and probably available in those times.
 
Thanks - glad you like it. The background is a length of pseudo-suede from a fabric shop. Using Photoshop I blurred the texture of the fabric in a way that preserves the blade's cast shadows and some of the subtle variations in tone throughout.
 
Got an urge to change things around a little bit... (click to enlarge)
 
Buddy, I emailed a picture of this knife to my buddy. It turns out that this is his knife. He is just waiting for the sheath. Hanford Miller does a great job. Jim treacy
 
Jim - Small world! Yeah, Hanford left a voice mail message for me saying the gentleman for whom he'd made the Viking Dagger called and said, "Hey, why is my dagger for sale on eBay?" I was alarmed by the message and searched eBay thinking someone had ripped a picture from this thread and was scamming with it on eBay. Oddly, I found one of Hanford's knives from way back listed for auction, not a dagger though, and I was confused for a minute. Then I saw your post indicating a friend had some of Hanford's knives and that you were going to let him know about my post and picture. At that point I figured out what was going on. Pretty funny!

Your friend is getting a great piece of work. I've seen fancier with more exotic materials etc. but Hanford's Viking Dagger has got soul and I found myself wishing it was mine! The scabbard should be very nice as well - rich red leather-wrapped wood with a silver throat (and tip too, I think though I can't remember for sure).

If you like Hanford's work (your friend might like this as well) and you haven't seen the Cinquedea he recently completed, go here: http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40171&highlight=Cinquedea I admire Hanford for having the guts to tackle something so daunting.
 
Beautiful dagger Buddy. I recognized the wood right off. Suprised I don't see it more on custom knives.

Roger
 
Buddy, Great pictures of the Hanford Cinquedea on that link. 'll send them to my friend also, but I know that he's not getting that blade. Jim Treacy
 
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