The Armour Archive

This is part of my proposed project of recreating an outfit worn by a figure in an illumination from the 1315 Manessa Codex.For this segment, I want to address the dagger (seen on the right hip of the figure with the blue gown).


As discussed in a previous thread the dagger shown in the illumination seems to be a sort of Baselard. I already have several suitable blades so all it will take is to make a wooden hilt. The illumination might be suggesting a gilded hilt? It's hard to say, but for my purposes I will interpret it as a light colored wood.

So, which light-colored European based wood would be best for this purpose (or what choices might I have)?

Is curly maple a possibility (I know where to buy a chunk)?

Thanks,
Tim

Tim,

Honestly I would stay away from curly maple. None of the pieces I have viewed in museums in Europe have curly maple. I would personally go for a piece of cherry, European walnut, or plain maple.......... might consider apple, or pear they are nice also.

Tim,

The illo shows a hilt which seems to be some sort of hybrid between a baselard and a ballock/kidney dagger, probably whittle tang construction, and color is the exact same as boxwood. Boxwood is known as a very common wood for European knife and dagger hilts, so you'd probably be very safe in trying it. It's quite hard, but because of its hardness grinds and files easily. Difficult to knife carve but it holds detail well. Most hardwood suppliers should carry it, usually sold by the pound in short log form, about 3" in diameter. Finish with steel wool or fine sandpaper and oil it until it can't take any more oil. Boiled linseed works great.

JH

Cool info. Thanks!

It looks much like a fishtail pommel, like those found on bastardswords, although I'm not sure they were that early...

Obviously, it was conceived of for daggers at that date.