Dutch Styled Trade Knife

LRB

Well-Known Member
A medium sized belt knife with an 18th c. Dutch/Flemish flavor. 5 1/2" sheepsfoot blade of 01 steel with a through tang peened over a steel butt cap. The grip is stained Boxwood, turned and chip carved. The sheath is vinegaroon stained 6/7 oz. vege-tanned leather sewn with linen thread, and cuir bouilli treated to harden it. Hope you enjoy a look.

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Very nice. The blade has the right amount of finish to it to make it period and the handle make up only adds to the effect. I am a serious history buff with a focus on knives and weaponry and love to see people's period knives.

Regards, Fred
 
Thanks Fred. It is not a perfect copy though. The handle is longer than the guilds of the period allowed, and the majority of these types had an integral bolster. My grip is 3 3/4", and the Guilds specified a length of 3 3/16" in the French pouce measurement of 1 pouce = 1 1/16" in English measurement. I just find that a tad small for todays hands.
 
Very nice, the carving adds a lot of period flavor. Boxwood is not the easiest stuff to find these days, is it the European variety?
The sheath is very appealing too, period sheath work is a subject of interest for me at the moment.
 
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No dropped curve. It is ruler straight. The bottom photo does make it look like it could have a drop. I suspect the boxwood is Turkish, but am not sure. It is a joy to work with. A wood carvers dream wood. As far as the sheath, it is part historic, part inspired, and part my method of making center seam sheaths.
 
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