Fabrice Cognot knives and daggers

[Fab]

I don't want to bring any ill fortune on me, but three of the items mentioned above (A Bowie, a Basilard and a Stilettu) will be finished, including scabbard(s) by the end of the month.

They could have been finished earlier, had not the Austrian Curse struck again and nailed me to bed when I was at my parent's this last weekend.

[Fab]

Some recently finished stuff. More will follow, but the camera went out of batteries. Tomorrow maybe.


All these things I somehow started in June/July 2007. Took me some time, but here they are, finally :



A simple folder :


The blade is from the same batch as the group of friction folders/full metal folder from a few pages ago. 1075 steel, diff quench - this time not etched much ; the faitn line is visible on the lower right part of the pic above. I couldn't catch it well with the lighting conditons here, it's more visible - though quite subtle - in real life.
Handle is stabilized elm (all the woods I use are 'stabilized' - the word sounds cool and technical, but it basically generally means the wood has been dipped in linseed oil....). Brass thingies, etc etc like the others.
Overall dimensions : 1007/175 mm (fodled/unfolded), blade thickness 2.5 mm, handle13 mm thick.


A thin-handled, crude baselard :



I say 'crude' because there are quite visible file marks here and there on the blade and handle, but the blade finish is usual quality (ie hand-finished, stone-sharpened/sanded, etc, etc) ; in fact, this baselard looks a lot like what you would have bought from the lower average cutler, which is weird for me as I generally try to do high-end stuff. But I decided to work on this one using the most basic tools available. The blade itself has been given a 'rough' patina - it's not as shiny or finely satin-finished as some of my other productions.
It has been ispired obviously by this model from he RA:
http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=13173
http://www.fioredeiliberi.org/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=13056
The H-shaped handle has been drawn from the original stock (6*60 mm 1075 steel bar). It's quite thin, almost the same thickness as the handle of an eating knife. This is not unknown however, thouhg it places this one at the thinner end of the spectrum. But with a thick glove on, it's quite OK.

The blade itself belies the apparent frailty of the handle . I haven't given it the final sharpenings, yet my left middle finger can attest it does cut. POB is at about 2" before the lower bar, which gives it lot of presence. Brass tubular 2 mm dia. rivets, oak scales.

Oh, and full quench, tempered to purple.

The scabbard is of sub-par quailty leather (gives it its rough appearance), naturally coloured, hand-stitched, with mild steel hand-made fittings.

Dimensions : OAL 428*90mm, blade is 310*38*4.5mm


A Marwie knife (sort of Marwood-designed Bowie knife) :


Same steel as above (forged from a 6*45 mm 1075 steel bar), clay-quenched (the activity looks better IRL), tempered to blue.

Made according to the directions given by the most honourable James Marwood : point in line with the handle, 10" long blade, false edge about half the length of the blade, but not sharp for all its length and many other things ; I hope he will find it pleasing.


Boxwood handle, mild steel fittings (with a brass thingie for the rivet). PoB is about 1 cm before the Spanish notch. Haven't weighed it yet.

OAL 365*66 mm, blade is 248*36.6*5.6 mm. False edge is sharp on 2" down from the point.
And man this knife is sharp. It scares me.

Scabbard is as above. Not too happy with it, next will be better. Problems came from the steel sheet I used, which shown roller marks after final polishing. Better materials next time.



And like I said : more to come. Tomorrow maybe.

[bigdummy]

How much for the Holbein dagger? I love it.

[Fab]

How much for the Holbein dagger? I love it.

[BD mode]"Holbein dagger" rather designates the later-type baselards of the second half of the XVIth century, with crescent-shaped guard and pommel and more important highly decorated scabbard, often depicting scenes designed by Hans Holbein such as the dance of Death.[/BD mode]

Dunno yet mate Glad you like it though. It was made for someone on this forum, but I'm not sure he'll like it.

[Monster Zero]

That's a Nice Bowie...

Say did Oz ever send over the Rondel he had been working on for me?

[Fab]

That's a Nice Bowie...

Say did Oz ever send over the Rondel he had been working on for me?

I told him not to as I din't know if I'd have time. But he can have it brought to Dijon anyway and I'll see what I can do.

Not e that it's just because I'd be happy to help, and not to steal Oz's thunder or whatever.

[J Marwood]

Oh wow! That bowie looks awesome Fab. Drop me a mail and we can discuss payment/shipping etc!

[Monster Zero]

That's a Nice Bowie...

Say did Oz ever send over the Rondel he had been working on for me?

I told him not to as I din't know if I'd have time. But he can have it brought to Dijon anyway and I'll see what I can do.

Not e that it's just because I'd be happy to help, and not to steal Oz's thunder or whatever.

No problem man, was just wondering.

[bigdummy]

How much for the Holbein dagger? I love it.

[BD mode]"Holbein dagger" rather designates the later-type baselards of the second half of the XVIth century, with crescent-shaped guard and pommel and more important highly decorated scabbard, often depicting scenes designed by Hans Holbein such as the dance of Death.[/BD mode]

Dunno yet mate Glad you like it though. It was made for someone on this forum, but I'm not sure he'll like it.

A) Sorry to be so crass / dense (as usual) I didn't realize you were just sharing your creations with us visually. I liked the delicacy and slightly shabby nature of that piece, it excited my avarice which is not common, take it as a compliment.

B) My bad! I thought it was the other way around for some reason I thought of "baselards" generically as being of the rounded ends of the type the nazis copied, and the strait type grip like your piece associated with holbein for some reason, though as you say in many of his drawings you see the other, so I stand corrected.

Bought a book of holbein prints online once, was excited by the good deal, then disappointed that they were all reproduced 2" square....

BD

[Fab]

A) Sorry to be so crass / dense (as usual) I didn't realize you were just sharing your creations with us visually. I liked the delicacy and slightly shabby nature of that piece, it excited my avarice which is not common, take it as a compliment.

B) My bad! I thought it was the other way around for some reason I thought of "baselards" generically as being of the rounded ends of the type the nazis copied, and the strait type grip like your piece associated with holbein for some reason, though as you say in many of his drawings you see the other, so I stand corrected.

Bought a book of holbein prints online once, was excited by the good deal, then disappointed that they were all reproduced 2" square....

BD

No wories mate

A) I did.

[admin]

The baselard looks like an original, why would I NOT like it?
How many tulwars do I owe you?
There is a hell of a lot of work in these knives - I don't know if people who don't make things themselves really appreciate how much!

[John]

That Bowie is gorgeous. Don't sell it to Marwood, sell it to me...

[Jose SP]

Is that "rough baselard" for sale?'
I love it

[Fab]

The baselard looks like an original, why would I NOT like it?
How many tulwars do I owe you?
There is a hell of a lot of work in these knives - I don't know if people who don't make things themselves really appreciate how much!

Wohoh somehow I skipped that one. Yes, yes, there's a lot of work, certainly because I'm not that good and it takes me twice the time and amount of work it would take a gifted craftsman.
Though all modesty aside, it is a lot of work and time and thinking. All my historical pieces are thoroughly researched before and during work (and I can't say I'm too badly placed in that regard) ; the others (the folders, mainly) either stem from the inspiration of the moment, hammer in hand, or are somehow pre-planned (geenrally under guidance from the intended owner), but all need a bit of thinking and designing and not just craftsmanship. Or so I think.



So. I'm trying now to get things done and get rid of the work on my backlog, things I stared a while ago, so that I can move on to other pojects (that include taking commissions again).

Therefore I hereby present you :

A Stilettu.
Mediterranean-ish knife, inspired by a design popular in Corsica in the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries, made there by foreign maker's (especially one Mr Romieu, from Langres (North of Dijon), who moved to the Mediterranean island in the first half of the century - but don't go telling that to your average Corsican terrorist ), based on Genovese dirks quite liked in the mediteranean area at the time

Made for thrusting mainly. Obviously.

Main differences with original desings is that I couldn't forge the bolsters from the bar stock, as I was working from 4*45 section 1075. So the guard/bolster here is an added piece made of mild steel - but it makes the construction all the sturdier.

The dimensions of the knife follow (more or less) the Golden Ratio, something it's future owner might be sensitive to.

Full tang construction, diff quench - you can see the temper line bottom left on the pic. Hand finished, stone-sharpened.
Stillwellian Ebony, European Cornel and Neighbour's Garden Cherry Tree. Plus mild steel and brass (in a nice, 7-petals flowery design not too visible on the pic), as always. Scabbard as above.

OAL 275 mm, blade 161*4.5 mm.



Next : another gift for a friend. The backlog will be finished with a Swordmage's Refurbished Vampire Slayer Sword. Later this spring I hope.



PS : Matt : Who needs a Tulwar here ?

[Fab]

Is that "rough baselard" for sale?'
I love it

Thanks Jose.

I made it for Matt Easton, but in case he doesn't want it...or needs money...see directly with him


Now, to spot the flaws (not visible on the pic) : gaps between the scales and tang, unevenness in the fuller (on some historical models it would go onto the tang, on others stop at the lower guard - and that's what I tried to do here), a few marks on the blade, file marks all around the tang/cross. In short : just like an original

[Frede Jensen]

Fab next you should build a Thundedome and arrange fights over your knives. You could sell tickets and everything, that ought to finance your research indefinately!

Beautiful work.

- F -

[Patrick Williams]

A Stilettu.
Mediterranean-ish knife, inspired by a design popular in Corsica in the XVIIIth and XIXth centuries, made there by foreign maker's (especially one Mr Romieu, from Langres (North of Dijon), who moved to the Mediterranean island in the first half of the century - but don't go telling that to your average Corsican terrorist ), based on Genovese dirks quite liked in the mediteranean area at the time

Made for thrusting mainly. Obviously.

Main differences with original desings is that I couldn't forge the bolsters from the bar stock, as I was working from 4*45 section 1075. So the guard/bolster here is an added piece made of mild steel - but it makes the construction all the sturdier.

The dimensions of the knife follow (more or less) the Golden Ratio, something it's future owner might be sensitive to.

Full tang construction, diff quench - you can see the temper line bottom left on the pic. Hand finished, stone-sharpened.
Stillwellian Ebony, European Cornel and Neighbour's Garden Cherry Tree. Plus mild steel and brass (in a nice, 7-petals flowery design not too visible on the pic), as always. Scabbard as above.

OAL 275 mm, blade 161*4.5 mm.

Magnificent!

[Patrick Williams]

More on this beautiful stylettu:

Yes, indeed, this design is a Corsican adaptation of a primarily Italian knife and is known in Corsica as the stylettu Genois, or Genovese pig-sticker! . By the end of the XVIX century, these knives were in the hands of almost all Corsicans and spanned the gamut from humble working knives to delicate pieces of jewelry. The humble working knives were the primary tool of many (if not most/all) of the Corsicans as well as the primary weapon with which to carry out the Corsican Vendetta. The upper classes in Corsica had lovely pieces of stylettu shaped jewelry (if you will). Brave inscriptions on the blades and handles made of multiple types of bone, shell and exotic wood. It's hard to find them now, as they have been illegal in Corsica for a very long time (now, the Corsican Vendetta is a folder, not a dagger ... much smaller, but still deadly).

In asking Fab to create this blade, the rule was: while it should be beautiful (and this one certainly is!) it must primarily be a tool. Function and form are both very important to me, but function is always first! So, I asked that he create a beautiful stylettu that one would not be averse to using; that was lovely enough to be "jewelry" but not so lovely or delicate that I would be averse to actually using it as a tool. Form (in my opinion) must always follow function. This piece is extremely beautiful, and once I get it in hand, we'll see if I have the heart to actually use it!

[Patrick Williams]

Oh, yes: Fab, the inclusion of the Golden Ratio in the design has certainly NOT escaped me. Thank you.

[Paul B]

I recommend Fab waits 6 months to post it to Patrick. Perhaps putting pictures of it up once every week or so.
Turnabout being fair play after all