Mosaic Damascus Main-Gauche Parrying Dagger with Fluted Curly Koa

Product Description for Mosaic Damascus Main-Gauche Parrying Dagger with Fluted Curly Koa

Maker: Neels van den Berg, M.S. (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 113377
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 18.50 in.
Cutting edge length: 17.70 in.
Total length: 25.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 0.96 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.26 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.11 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 27.00 oz.
Shipment weight: 70 oz.
Blade: Mosaic damascus forged from carbon steel
Bolster: Quillion guard with decorated steel basket
Handle: Stabilized presentation grade curly koa
Description: Neels van den Berg was honored to become Africa's third mastersmith in June 2022. 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 my trips to South Africa is always a treat. The twisting road to his forge 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 served as a defensive companion to the rapier throughout late-medieval and Renaissance Europe. Designed for parrying and trapping an opponent’s blade, it allowed the duelist’s dominant hand to remain free for precise thrusts and cuts. The main-gauche typically featured an extended guard and wide quillons to protect the hand and deflect attacks, sometimes incorporating a knuckle guard or flared quillon tips for catching an adversary’s weapon. Popular from the late Middle Ages into the early 17th century, it eventually declined in use as swordplay shifted toward the lighter, more formalized art of modern fencing.
The blade is hand forged from Neel's own highly complex mosaic Damascus, combining carbon steels to ensure excellent edge holding and chip resistance. The pattern immediately grabs attention and draws you in for closer examination. The 18-1/2 inch blade is carved and fileworked. Neels' mark is engraved on the right side of the blade.
The handle is presentation grade curly koa, fluted with fine silver twisted wire. Curly koa (Acacia koa) is only found on the Hawaiian Islands and is one of the most desirable exotic woods used in knifemaking due to its gorgeous curly figure and high chatoyancy. The handle meets perfectly with fluted bronze spacers and the engraved pommel. 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. Bronze crosses and brass pins decorate the basket. The pommel can be twisted, which allows the knife to be disassembled if cleaning or maintenance is needed. Take-down construction requires tighter tolerances and shows Neel's focus on the details.
Exceptional work throughout from a master of his craft.


Availability: Not currently available