My Latest - Viking Style Dagger - Almost Done

Thanks guys for all the help and honest opinions. I think I am going to go with the second grip style. It feels nicer in the hand and looks better IMHO. I will dress it up with some ferrules once I figure out which ones I want to make. I am going to try something new (well to me anyway) keeping with the Celtic knida theme. Hopefully it will work out.

Thanks again guys, and I will post more when done. Hopefully soon.
 
Man, I love that blade. And the size- It's so nice to see a real big knife. I must admit when I saw the title to this thread, I figured it would have an 8" blade or something, as so many people seem to consider that "big".

If there is anything I would have personally done differently, I would have also made the guard thinner. It appears quite massive against that slender blade and little pommel. Also, (unless you made it hollow) I see no reason to add extra ounces of steel in front of the hand, without getting extra performance in return.
 
Now you need a clear plastic sheath so you can carry it and people can see the blade !!
 
elvenbladesmith07 said:
were u going for historical acuracy? cause if u wer i think u should take a few history classes;) looks great tho!:)
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I don't intend to be a jerk, but if you're going to criticize someone you might at least be courteous enough to use complete words and check your spelling. You might even consider capitalizing where it's appropriate.
 
Great looking dagger but I do think the gaurd is to thick and I like the first handle better. I love that steel :)

Don Hanson lll
 
elvenbladesmith07 - No, not going for a historical accuracy. I just wanted to do Migration Era "styled" pattern in the blade.

anvilring - I don't know about a scabbard. My wood and leather working abilities are pretty sketchy at best, so I don't know if I could pull that off.

I am not going to hard assemble this knife for a while. I need to set her aside once I get the second handle done. It needs to go back on the shelf and set until I forget what it looks like and then I will go back and figure out what to do about the gaurd, handle, pommell, etc. As for now, I am getting tired of looking at it. :D

Thanks again for all you help.
 
Sean, that blade is awesome! I like the first handle better and I'm afraid I'm in the camp that thinks the guard is too thick. I'll go a bit further and say it's a bit too wide as well compared to the width/size of the pommel. Excellent work as usual! And you are right, sometimes it is best to put projects aside and come back to them with a fresh outlook.
 
ddavelarsen said:
I don't intend to be a jerk, but if you're going to criticize someone you might at least be courteous enough to use complete words and check your spelling. You might even consider capitalizing where it's appropriate.
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hey chill out a bit :D i didnt mean to criticize him, i was just asking a question. oh, and the whole reason i type bad is because of the amount of instant messaging i do. i hate weblish, but i cant beat, it so i used it. :D
 
elvenbladesmith07 said:
hey chill out a bit :D i didnt mean to criticize him, i was just asking a question. oh, and the whole reason i type bad is because of the amount of instant messaging i do. i hate weblish, but i cant beat, it so i used it. :D
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Little Dude, you should come back when you grow up. :mad:
 
Sean,

This is a beautiful blade. As others have mentioned, I do find the guard a bit on the thick side. I think a handle in the shape and style of the original, but thicker overall, would help to visually balance that guard while keeping the overall geometric look of the piece.

Real nice work.

Elf, you comment about "taking a few history classes" was pure sarcasm and contributed nothing to the discussion.

Roger
 
elvenbladesmith07 said:
hey chill out a bit :D i didnt mean to criticize him, i was just asking a question. oh, and the whole reason i type bad is because of the amount of instant messaging i do. i hate weblish, but i cant beat, it so i used it. :D
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Sorry dude, I overreacted. I thought about deleting the post but that seemed chicken somehow; I should have just appended to it. I'm too old fashioned to adapt quickly to "weblish" but I'll give it a shot. :o
 
ddavelarsen said:
Sorry dude, I overreacted. I thought about deleting the post but that seemed chicken somehow; I should have just appended to it. I'm too old fashioned to adapt quickly to "weblish" but I'll give it a shot. :o
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Dave I do not think you overreacted. I think elvenbladesmith07 the 15 year old kid should be more tactful in the manner in which he address a response on this forum. :grumpy:
 
indian george said:
Dave I do not think you overreacted. I think elvenbladesmith07 the 15 year old kid should be more tactful in the manner in which he address a response on this forum. :grumpy:
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Thanks for the vote of confidence IG. My grandmother tried to teach me that if I don't have something positive to say to not say anything. Ususally when I get my ire up I just keep my big fat mouth shut. I was embarrassed for letting my humanity slip through... :D But I do think everyone here deserves to be treated with respect. And so does the language! Using decent grammar and actual sentences isn't that hard.
 
Your damascus is very impressive. Your pattern control is great. I really like the thicker guard; it showcases the pattern well and it gives the sword a Viking feel. Very impressive...did I say that ;)?

Matt
 
Just an FYI - I am working on a completely new gaurd, grip, and pommel. It is thinner and more "historical" and basically made from some "scrap" I had laying around the shop. I have a really nice scrap pile since I save just about every last little tid-bit and cut offs that I produce.

I have actually made my own ferrule material and I have to say it was pretty neat forging material down to 0.030 with the power hammer. I am still working/deciding on one of the materials, and once that is done hopefully it should come together quickly, but we all know how that goes.

Thanks again for all the comments, even to the young guy, elvenbladesmith07, he should like this hilt better. :D My historical interest would not have been peaked if it was not for his comment. Granted I am not trying to make an acurrate period piece, but I am definitely going to be pulling from the "historical style."

Also, I took no personal offense to his question whether it was malicious or not. But I do have to admit that I could do without the "weblish." :rolleyes:

It should be pretty cool if I can pull it off even though I will not be using the correct hilt materials, but the proportions should be there and once complete, I can do a side by side comparison.

Thanks again everybody for your feedback on this project.
 
What did I do Indian George? Is there something wrong with being a young smith? At least im not some young, punk, kid that could care less about an, all but, lost art. I am and want to be a more serious smith. Its not a weekend hobby for me, its a life style. I dont ever wanna see the day i have to get a job flipping burgers, and turning my smithing into a hobby.
What does age have to do with anything? I care more about keeping history alive than most people, and i can make pretty damn servicable knives, so why cant i be a young and good smith?
I know im probably overreacting, but what you said hurt.
 
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