French Knight Parrying Dagger

Product Description for French Knight Parrying Dagger

Maker: Rucus Coetzee (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 106897
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 15.80 in.
Cutting edge length: 10.80 in.
Total length: 21.00 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.18 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.38 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.21 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.12 in.
Item weight: 29.80 oz.
Shipment weight: 34.8 oz.
Blade: Hand forged, antiqued 5160 carbon steel with a dagger grind
Bolster: Wrought iron quillion with forged copper clamshell guard
Handle: Twisted copper and iron wire
Sheath: Hand tooled leather belt sheath
Description: Rucus Coetzee began making knives in 2010 when he started working at Heavin Forge under ABS Mastersmiths Kevin Harvey and Heather Harvey. He began forging blades immediately and joined the Knifemakers' Guild of Southern African in September of 2011 (making him -- at the age of 20 -- the youngest member -- an honor previously held by Kevin Harvey). In 2013, he started his own workshop and began creating many different styles of knives and blades from hunting knives to kitchen knives, though Rucus' interest in bladesmithing comes from his love for history and historical weapons. He spends a lot of time researching these weapons, then creates one of his own. They are never 100% copies of originals. Instead, he tries to introduce his own style into the historically inspired piece.
This Parrying Dagger shows Rucus' skills at their best. During the 16th and 17th centuries, European fencing reached the height of popularity. Fencing schools opened up throughout Europe that began training how to fence with two edged weapons instead of a sword and shield. This would not have been possible without the development of the left-handed dagger which played an active role in both offence and defense. The large clamshell at the hilt of the dagger was used to protect the hand and knuckles when parrying an incoming attack.
The blade is hand forged 5160 carbon steel. It is meticulously symmetrically ground and antiqued. Daggers are one of the hardest blades to grind because it becomes extremely obvious if the blade is not ground perfectly.
The wire wrapped handle combines twisted copper and iron wires. The quillion is hand forged antique wrought iron. The guard shows the tremendous damascene pattern inherent to wrought iron. Coetzee's mark is set into a copper plate on the side of the guard. The front face is bronze. A forged copper clamshell deflects attacks. The pommel combines faceted bronze with a forged copper spacer.
The knife is accompanied by a hand tooled leather belt sheath.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: Not currently available