How to Make a Medieval Knife
Small-bladed medieval knives became common during the 16th and 17th centuries as the "common man" learned how to do battle. The shift was based on the military using more firearms and pike formations while in war. Individual combat was not used to a great extent in battle and the European style of swordplay became part of the sparring process taught to civilians in a training environment. Daggers or swords were not often owned by the general population prior to this time period.
Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- Paper
- Flat file
- Rotary tool
- Abrasive rotary tool cut-off wheels
- Brass rod
- Brass plate
- Wood
- Scrap hardwood
- Electric hot plate
- Pot holders
- Tongs
- Small bench vise
- Rasp
- Sandpaper
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Spray-on glue
- Sharpening stone
Instructions
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Making the Blade
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1
Trace around the outside of the file on a piece of paper. Set aside.
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2
Place the file on an electric hot plate and turn the control to high. Anneal (or heat) the file for 30 minutes until the entire file has changed to a gray color. Flip the file periodically to get uniform heat distribution. Shut off the electric hot plate and let the file cool to room temperature. Do not remove the file from the electric not plate.
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3
Draw the shape of the blade on the piece of paper containing the outline of the file. Cut out the shape of the blade. Spray the spray-on adhesive to the cooled file and the back of the blade template. Glue the template to the file.
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4
Cut the blade shape from the file using a rotary tool, such as a Dremel, and abrasive cut-off wheels. Use a flat file and angle the edges of the blade along with filing off the cross-hatch pattern from the annealed file. Work slowly and precisely on the angles to help with sharpening.
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5
Drill two holes just larger than the brass rod 2 inches apart in the middle of the back end of the blade to attach the handle.
Handle and Assembling
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6
Cut two pieces of 1/4-inch hardwood to the desired handle shape and length making sure it is wider than the blade.
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7
Clamp the handle together. Drill two holes just smaller than the brass rod 2 inches apart on the handle.
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8
Place the knife blade between the two handles. Line up the holes. Place either a brass rod or brass sheeting (cut to the required width) in the opening between the handles. Bend the brass so it forms to the shape of the handle. Insert a brass rod through each hole and cut off the end so it is flush to the handle.
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9
Sand the edges of the handle to the desired shape. Carve in desired motifs. Stain and seal the handle. Let dry.
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10
Sharpen the blade of the medieval knife using a sharpening stone.
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1
Tips & Warnings
An alternative to placing brass around the edge of the handle opening is to remove the area on the inside of the handle where the blade will sit.
Bone can be used for the handle by drilling into the end of the bone with a drill to form a slot. Use fiberglass resin to secure the blade into the handle.
A handle does not have to be added to a medieval blade. The end of the file can be left the normal thickness and not filed down on the edges to form a blade.
An electric stove will work for the annealing process if an electric hot plate is not available.
Do not touch the file with bare hands while it is being heated on the electric hot plate.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit knife and sheath image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
