Main-Gauche Parrying Dagger with Fluted Circassian Walnut

Product Description for Main-Gauche Parrying Dagger with Fluted Circassian Walnut

Maker: Neels van den Berg, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 105687
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 18.00 in.
Cutting edge length: 15.50 in.
Total length: 23.20 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.90 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.19 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 22.80 oz.
Blade: Hand forged mosaic damascus, incorporating 1084, 15N20, 70Ni8, 5160 and 80CrV2 carbon steel
Bolster: Forged EN9 carbon steel quillion guard and pierced mild steel basket
Handle: Fluted presentation grade Circassian Walnut
Description: Neels van den Berg was honored to become Africa's third mastersmith in June 2022. This exceptional Maine Gauche was created just before his mastersmith test. Neels is a powerhouse and creates some of the most dramatic forged knives coming out of South Africa. Visiting Neels van den Berg's workshop on a recent trip to South Africa was a real treat. His forge is pretty much in the middle of nowhere -- or at least if you kept driving down the road, that is clearly where it would end. The twisting road travels through veldt populated by zebra and other wild animals. Neels is well known for his war hammers, spike hawks, and highly refined art knives.
The main-gauche was used mainly to assist in parrying incoming thrusts, while the dominant hand wielded a rapier or similar longer weapon intended for one-handed use. The parrying dagger was in great use from the European late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, but fell out of favor as sword fighting evolved into the modern sport of fencing.
The blade is hand forged from Neel's own highly complex mosaic damascus. Neels incorporated 1084, 1520, 5160, 70Ni8, and 80CrV2 carbon steel into the complex pattern. The pattern immediately grabs attention and draws you in for closer examination. The 18 inch blade is carved and fileworked. Neels' maker mark is engraved on the right side of the blade.
The handle is Circassian walnut (Juglans regia). Circassian walnut is one of the most beautiful walnut woods and is closely related to classic Turkish walnut, though it is harvested at higher altitudes across the Caucasus mountains. The higher altitude and cold winters result in a denser, higher contrast wood. The dramatic wood was meticulously hand fluted (8 flutes) and set with fine silver twisted wire. The handle meets perfectly with the fluted bronze spacers and pommel.
The quillion guard is hand forged EN9 carbon steel with brass finials. The forged basket is mild steel that has been carved and pierced with decoration. This painstaking process is extremely time consuming and must be done to perfection to not show obvious flaws. Bronze crosses, brass pins and fine silver inlay decorate the basket. This is among Neels' masterworks to date!
Exceptional work throughout!


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