Rob Toneguzzo Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Greetings Fellows of the forge, While I am waiting for the leather to get shipped to Darwin for the sheath to house my recently finished Seax I have been spending my time making wood carving chisels, gravers, punches and researching how these sheaths were constructed. Well In my research I have viewed countless Seaxes both historical and recreations and have decided that I absolutely love the Broken Back style blades especially the Long pointy ones. I also came across the Baltic style War Knives and after reading the Baltic War Knives thread in History I decided that These knives really interest me too especially their blade geometry. So in the spirit of historically inspired things that “could have been” I decided to combine the wicked blade shape of the Broken Back Long Seax with the thin stabby blade geometry and handle of the Baltic/Gotlandic War Knife. Here it is so far after a successful heat treat...now I am going to work out what handle material suits it best ( pictured with a rough fit of antler but I am undecided) I then plan to put some of my newly made tools to use on the handle fittings. The overall length including the tang is 57 cm with a blade length of 40cm The spine is 7mm thick and 2.5cm wide at the base It already has a wicked feel to it. As always any and all feedback, critique, advice suggestions etc greatly appreciated 9 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conner Michaux Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 I don’t even have to read to the post to click the follow button. All I saw was the picture, gonna be one heck of a blade! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Camper Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 I REALLY like that blade! I would keep it a little more historic with the handle if it where I, but its gonna be awesome either way! who knows, maybe it could have happened once. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 Neat idea, Rob! I like the way its turning out. Really cool blade shape. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted November 26, 2019 Share Posted November 26, 2019 The smoke thickens... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted November 26, 2019 Author Share Posted November 26, 2019 Thanks fellas and Alan, if that doesn’t create next level inspiration there is nothing that will. "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 (edited) Dude. Rather, your dudliness. I am lovin' that blade. The slightly recurved/downturn edge? Yeah, I bet that feels wicked to hold. I especially like the combination of the slight broken back and the length with the slender width. Nice combination of Baltic/AS flavor. Things that should have been (J.A. LOOSE) Smokin' man. Simply Smokin' Edited November 28, 2019 by Joshua States 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted November 28, 2019 Author Share Posted November 28, 2019 Thanks Josh...Shine on you crazy diamond! I did some shenanigans with some of the materials I have at hand ( horn, bronze and copper) and feel it is coming together though nothing is set in stone. Still got to make copper spacers to fit between things and I will reassess how it looks This is my least favourite bit but once done I can get on to some carving. oh. When I’m done I think I will kill that pumpkin. 2 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Middleton Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 That this is going to be sweet Rob! Are you going to put a thin bronze spacer in the center between the two pieces of horn too? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua States Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 37 minutes ago, Alex Middleton said: That this is going to be sweet Rob! +1 on that. +1 on the pumpkin idea as well! 1 “So I'm lightin' out for the territory, ahead of the scared and the weak and the mean spirited, because Aunt Sally is fixin’ to adopt me and civilize me, and I can't stand it. I've been there before.” The only bad experience is the one from which you learn nothing. Josh http://www.dosgatosdesignsllc.com/#! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJMFMqnbLYqv965xd64vYg J.States Bladesmith | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dos.gatos.71 https://www.etsy.com/shop/JStatesBladesmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Brewer Posted November 28, 2019 Share Posted November 28, 2019 That is one sweet blade profile and the handle is gonna be icing on the cake !!!!!!!!!! The punkin better git its affairs in order.......... 1 If ya can't be good don't git caught !! People who say stuff can't be done need to git the hell outta the way of people who do stuff !!! Show me a man who is called an expert by his peers And I will show you a good man to listen to ...... Show me a man who calls himself an expert and I will show you an egotistical asshole...............!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted November 28, 2019 Author Share Posted November 28, 2019 7 hours ago, Alex Middleton said: That this is going to be sweet Rob! Are you going to put a thin bronze spacer in the center between the two pieces of horn too? Hi Alex, yes I will put a spacer but am still deciding on what but I think it will be Bronze too. Josh and Clifford..yes..That pumpkins got it coming! 1 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted November 29, 2019 Share Posted November 29, 2019 3 hours ago, Rob Toneguzzo said: yes I will put a spacer but am still deciding on what Some silver would look really nice as a spacer too! Looking really good man. Cant wait to see it finished. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted November 30, 2019 Author Share Posted November 30, 2019 (edited) I decided on a bronze spacer in the middle too and I thought I would sandwich the bronze pieces with thin copper spaces and have the bronze slightly countersunk and perhaps some kind of carving/engraving on the bronze as well as the horn. Here is a rough fit up. Still got 4 more spacers to make and the end cap. Edited November 30, 2019 by Rob Toneguzzo 3 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted December 5, 2019 Author Share Posted December 5, 2019 (edited) Handle glued up. Now just need to pien the tang and then work out the carving/engraving. This is an interesting build as just about everything I initially pictured in my head has slightly changed. Feels like this blade is telling me what it wants to be. i ended up giving the rear of the handle a bit more swell as it feels so much better and secure. With the handle on it has a nasty feel and with the thick spine it will be a fantastic stabber but I also get the feeling it will slice just as good. Edited December 5, 2019 by Rob Toneguzzo 2 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Abbott Posted December 5, 2019 Share Posted December 5, 2019 That horn handle is awesome. Love the copper and brass as well... and the blade. That's some fine work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 Well I decided on a raven theme for this knife. I can imagine this type of knife could have been used as an instrument of death. Possibly owned by an archer to finish off not only wounded game but also those left dying on the field after an epic battle. I thought that ravens were very fitting and also fitted in with the dark horn handle. I found the horn a nightmare to try to carve as it was kind of stringy and wanted to tear in strips if that makes sense. I ended up using both the dremel and some chisels and gouge I made to cut the outline of the ravens. I also sometimes struggle with the concept of more is less and decided not to overdo things on the bronze rings and opted for simple grooves. On the pommel I decided on a bow and arrow and my initials in runes which I used my home made graver to do. I find it is better for fine work than a dremel and now prefer it though I need much more practice. once I had cut in the ravens I found that while visible I wanted them to stand out more so I rubbed some acrylic paint in the grooves and then sanded it back and then coated it all with 4 coats of Tru Oil. My leather has arrived so I will be working on the sheath for this and my Seax next. Finished pics to follow. 5 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) Finished pics. Oh...and sorry, my wife beat me to that pumpkin. Edited December 10, 2019 by Rob Toneguzzo 4 "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeb Camper Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Wow! Seriously cool Rob! Looks like a beast! Got any specs? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Well done, Rob! The raven theme is very fitting. And yes, horn, especially water buffalo horn for some reason, is a pain to carve. Sharp tools are the key. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Weller Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 That turned out sweet! Nice job, I think I understand your pain with the carving as I assume this is very similar to antler engraving... No easy way to get it done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Brewer Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Good on ya Rob !! Love it !!.................................. 1 If ya can't be good don't git caught !! People who say stuff can't be done need to git the hell outta the way of people who do stuff !!! Show me a man who is called an expert by his peers And I will show you a good man to listen to ...... Show me a man who calls himself an expert and I will show you an egotistical asshole...............!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Wilcox Posted December 10, 2019 Share Posted December 10, 2019 Whether or not you intended it, you could say that the ravens are Huginn and Muninn, Odins ravens, who fly across the realms to bring knowledge back to the one eyed god. Gives the blade a cool mythos vibe . Awesome work man! It turned out really well. As always, your carving and engraving skills really add another level to your blades! Cant wait to see the sheath! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Toneguzzo Posted December 10, 2019 Author Share Posted December 10, 2019 Thanks guys appreciate your comments. Zeb the specs - OAL 55cm. Blade 40 cm length 2.5 cm wide at the base. 6mm thick at the base and 7mm thick at the break. pob - 4cm from guard. "Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes" - Tom HALL - Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Lester Posted December 11, 2019 Share Posted December 11, 2019 That's way cool! The ravens really set things off. Doug 1 HELP...I'm a twenty year old trapped in the body of an old man!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts