My Rondel Dagger
This is the final permutation of a project that began almost two years ago, and has been worked on in fits and starts ever since. I learned a lot, making it -mostly through a Series of Unfortunate EventsTM. For instance -don't try to bring an 18" dagger-shaped piece of steel to critical temperature with nothing but a cutting torch. That happens to be why my dagger is now 15".
I'm very happy with how it turned out. I went into this project with an eye for accuracy, but I was not particularly slavish, so I wound up witha few questionable details that, were I to do it over, I'd fix. This is my way of saying that I won't at all be offended to hear your nitpicks; I'd like to learn more, too.
So, without further adieu: the pictures!
[img]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/dstchdo/Rondel_Dagger/Rondel_Dagger1.jpg[/img]
The dagger itself, sitting on a one inch cube of chalk for perspective and to give it a better angle.
View of the spine and false edge...
A close-up of the hilt...
And by now you've no doubt noticed the irregular shape of the pommel rondel... So... Voila!
[img]http://home.armourarchive.org/members/dstchdo/Rondel_Dagger/Rondel_Dagger3.jpg[/img]
THAT took forever and a day to carve out. But, if everyone can tell that it's a rose, I think it was well worth it.
and finally, sighting down the blade...
I hope you like it. Questions, comments and criticism welcome.
I strongly suspect it's mild steel. Aside from one or two frustratingly hard spots that could have come from impurities or local variances in the carbon content, it worked like mild steel.
