Landsknecht style dagger-practice photos

J

Justin King

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Nov 8, 2009
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Based on single photo of an original circa 1510-1520 (property of the Metropolitan Museum of Art), with a little detailing of my own. It still needs a couple of finishing touches and the final mount-up, but I need to work on my photography skills so...my photos are improving, the detail shots show a lot of what needs touching up, as well as every little piece of lint that was availible to stand in for the photo shoot:o
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Specs:
16-5/8" overall, 11-3/4" blade
Blade is Aldo's 1084, .240" thick at the ricasso
Guard and pommel are fabricated by hand 1018 mild steel
Gaboon ebony grip with 3 sterling silver ferrules
Poplar core scabbard with vinegaroon-dyed 2-3 oz. leather outer and mild steel fittings
Pommel is partially hollow for balance, COG is 1/4" forward of guard, weight is 13.7 oz.
A photo of the original can be seen on page 4 of this article- http://www.metmuseum.org/pubs/journals/1/pdf/1512722.pdf.bannered.pdf -

Comments are welcome!
 
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Thank you, gentlemen! This is another one of those pieces that tested all of my skills, and occasionally that last nerve as well...it would have been done sooner if I hadn't screwed up the grip the first 3 times. The 4th one was actually shaped to fit the ferrules, instead of the other way around. Here's some more detail pics-



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That's awesome, it looks like it could be in a museum. can you tell me the purpose of that fancy guard or is it just decorative?
Red
 
Dago Red said:
That's awesome, it looks like it could be in a museum. can you tell me the purpose of that fancy guard or is it just decorative?
Red
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! The appendage on the guard is presumably to protect the knuckles when the dagger is used to parry another weapon. The article I linked at the bottom of my original post gives some context and shows some other examples of daggers with such appendages.
 
Saying "nice work Justin!" doesn't quite cut it. But seriously, nice work Justin.

I like studying historical weapons and have worked with Todd Gdula on a couple designs - it's always fun and there is something awe-inspiring about wielding a fully functional replica of a 600 year old weapon.

So what are you planning to do with it now?
 
Thanks! Nothing gets me obsessing like an historical design, I am drawn to try to understand the creative processes and influences that drove historical makers, back when edged weapons were still hugely relevant to the outcome of most armed engagements. The combination of artistry and deadly intent that is evident in many surviving examples gives them an eerie, ethereal quality that haunts my imagination.

I haven't decided what I'm doing with this one, frankly I'm not ready to see it go yet:).

CapitalizedLiving said:
Saying "nice work Justin!" doesn't quite cut it. But seriously, nice work Justin.

I like studying historical weapons and have worked with Todd Gdula on a couple designs - it's always fun and there is something awe-inspiring about wielding a fully functional replica of a 600 year old weapon.

So what are you planning to do with it now?
Click to expand...
 
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