Aiden CC Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 (edited) When I saw this, some of the "magical" knives I thought of were the butcher knives used by Pedro and Pablo Vicario to murder Santiago Nasar in Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The whole story has imagery to make it seem surreal, and the knives show up as an important symbol throughout, almost personified such as "Al final, hicieron cantar los cuchillos en la piedra, y Pablo puso el suyo junto a la lámpara para que destellara el acero" where they sing on a grindstone and sparkle in the light of a lamp. And another interesting instance where Hortensia Baute sees them to be dripping blood before the murder has even been committed; «Pensé que ya lo habían matado -me dijo-, porque vi los cuchillos con la luz del poste y me pareció que iban chorreando sangre.» The knives seem to also be incredibly (almost comically) large. There are two sets (the first two get taken away when they tell someone they intend to murder Nasar), they first described as "los dos cuchillos mejores: uno de descuartizar, de diez pulgadas de largo por dos y media de ancho, y otro de limpiar, de siete pulgadas de largo por una y media de ancho." (using Spanish quotes since that's what I'm searching for google image results for inspiration) A massive 10"x 2.5" knife for quartering/breaking down and a more modest 7"x1.5" cleaning/trimming knife. These are described as their best knives. The second set is described in, "Uno era de descuartizar, con una hoja oxidada y dura de doce pulgadas de largo por tres de ancho, que había sido fabricado por Pedro Vicario con el metal de una segueta, en una época en que no venían cuchillos alemanes por causa de la guerra." An enormous, rusty, 12"x3" quartering knife made from the metal a "segueta." This is part of why I wanted to use the Spanish, because in English, this means "fretsaw" which would be way to small (think coping saw blade).It's a long shot, but if anyone knows if there is an older translation of this word that might make more sense, I would be interested in knowing. It might just be the author making a joke too, or adding to the fantastical/exaggerated nature of the novel. This knife is said to have been made by Pedro because they couldn't get German knives due to WWII. "El otro era más corto, pero ancho y curvo. El juez instructor lo dibujó en el sumario, tal vez porque no lo pudo describir, y se arriesgó apenas a indicar que parecía un alfanje en miniatura." I actually have a knife like this one, an old butchers scimitar from my grandmother, which I might use as inspiration. Both knives were "rudimentarios y muy usados" (rudimentary and well used). Would one or two (could be fun to make a set) of these knives work for this KITH? The spirit of the theme seems to be mostly mythology/fantasy, so I definitely understand if this is a bit too much of a stretch, but I would love to hear people's thoughts about it. Also, as a side note, will the deadline be some time in June like it usually is? Aiden CC Edited January 7, 2018 by Aiden CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jake cleland Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 I have no horse in this race but I like the idea. Also, pretty sure 'segueta' just means saw, with modifiers implied by context. Jake Cleland - Skye Knives www.knifemaker.co.uk "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 1 hour ago, jake cleland said: I have no horse in this race but I like the idea. Also, pretty sure 'segueta' just means saw, with modifiers implied by context. That makes sense. The English translator used “marquetry saw” which is where I first looked at the original (mostly out of curiosity, though it might be fun to find an old saw blade) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 Sounds magical enough to me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Alberson Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 I think that there is always magic in legends. The knives are described much larger than usual, which makes me think of games like Dark Souls and cartoons where the weapons are sometimes bigger than the characters in order to add emphasis. It also adds a magical element to it where the pro/antagonist wields a large blade as if it was made from aluminum. "Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man" -The Dude, Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rougemont_forge/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Bourlotos Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 This is a common thing in fantasy and mythology - a artifact infused with the act it was used for, or the spirit of the person who used it. In D&D there is often myths about the unadorned blade of a humble paladin being able to cleave through stone and armor alike. Sort of like the Holy Grail - an a potent and obviously magical artifact that is nothing more than a wooden chalice in appearance. I think with the right subtle embellishment, this could totally work. I am going with an almost gaudy appearance because it works for the weapon of a god. The weapons of men though; imbued through honor or desecration, who can say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles dP Posted January 9, 2018 Share Posted January 9, 2018 9 hours ago, Dan Bourlotos said: This is a common thing in fantasy and mythology - a artifact infused with the act it was used for, or the spirit of the person who used it. In D&D there is often myths about the unadorned blade of a humble paladin being able to cleave through stone and armor alike. Sort of like the Holy Grail - an a potent and obviously magical artifact that is nothing more than a wooden chalice in appearance. I think with the right subtle embellishment, this could totally work. I am going with an almost gaudy appearance because it works for the weapon of a god. The weapons of men though; imbued through honor or desecration, who can say? A bit like Captain Carrot’s Sword. "The way we win matters" (Ender Wiggins) Orson Scott Card Nos qui libertate donati nescimus quid constat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 Glad people seem to like the idea! I might look around for an old saw/tool I don’t feel bad about cutting up and making into a massive knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
owen bush Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 no idea about Kith or that kind of thing....But I just bought a bunch of Gabriel Garcia Marquez to read.... forging soul in to steel owenbush.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 28 minutes ago, owen bush said: no idea about Kith or that kind of thing....But I just bought a bunch of Gabriel Garcia Marquez to read.... I’ve been meaning to read more of his work. I read Chronicle for school and while I was in Ecuador, someone I met had a collection of his short stories (in Spanish) and I read a few. Definitely vocabulary builders... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 10, 2018 Author Share Posted January 10, 2018 I went to a flea market and got a few things: The saw and mics were $7 each (the mics are 0-1”, 0.001 resolution and work well). Saw blade is 0.042” so I’ll probably have to make some Damascus, though I would love to leave the original finish. Will probably use handle and fasteners to make the Knife handle. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 15 hours ago, Aiden CC said: Saw blade is 0.042” so I’ll probably have to make some Damascus, though I would love to leave the original finish. A mystical fillet knife? 1 -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Silas Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 2 hours ago, Brian Dougherty said: A mystical fillet knife? For that one fish that's always getting away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 3 hours ago, Brian Dougherty said: A mystical fillet knife? That’s not a bad idea, I had thought of doing that, though maybe not for the KITH. I found a treat especial which should work nicely for the blade, and another saw to get fittings from. There still may be some saw-maskus in my future as well, we’ll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Dougherty Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Aiden CC said: There still may be some saw-maskus in my future as well, we’ll see. LOL, how about some saw-mai -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Had some time sitting in an airport, so I drew these in illustrator (it was my first time actually drawing with it, I was tempted to just CAD them, but figured I should try this) This knife is massive! it looks sort of normal, but keep in mind the blade is 12" long, and 3" wide. It makes the 5/16" cutler rivets look small I figured this shape of handle could look good with a big blade like this. Finally, a blade with a bit more "active" of a tip (if that's even possible with a massive knife like this). Curious to see what you all think about these designs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Ok, just one more, this time with a bit of a drop point: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 I like the drop point the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Maybe with the handle of the first one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 The curve at the back of the handle could help with chopping tasks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Jeremy Blohm said: The curve at the back of the handle could help with chopping tasks. Yeah, a little crow's beak can be nice so it doesn't slide out of your hand. I also like the drop point the best. Ideally I'll get home in a couple of hours draw this out on actual paper/the concrete floor, and get forging. Drop point, wide handle, crow's beak, and big saw handle pins Edited January 12, 2018 by Aiden CC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 15 minutes ago, Aiden CC said: Drop point, wide handle, crow's beak, and big saw handle pins I like it!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aiden CC Posted January 13, 2018 Author Share Posted January 13, 2018 Here’s my special treat. It’s an old hay knife I bought by the side of the road and “adjusted” to fit in my suitcase. 12” blade for scale. Normalized and quenched. It hardens! Sparks look good too, also, got the grain pretty nice. Prepped for forging out tomorrow with reference drawing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Blohm Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 This is going to be enormous!!! I can't wait to see this come together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Camper Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Saw the first pic with the old knife and was like "Dayum he's quick!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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