Medieval Round Knives

[MMArmoury]

Does anyone own, or have good photos, of a medieval style round knife (the ancestor of todays round knife)? I have some pictures here taken from various period artwork. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried making a replica. Would be cool for my demonstrations.

Edited September 14, 2011 by MMArmoury

[Spinner]

Does anyone own, or have good photos, of a medieval style round knife (the ancestor of todays round knife)? I have some pictures here taken from various period artwork. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried making a replica. Would be cool for my demonstrations.

Those aren't leatherworkers, they're ninja assassins in disguise!

Seriously though, that is an interesting design. I don't see why any of our resident knife makers couldn't hammer one out (pun intended). It actually looks like the guys just went down to their local armory, stole a poleaxe and cut the handle shorter.

[amuckart]

I don't, yet, but it's very high on the list of tools to get made seeing as I have medieval style awls already.

I've seen photos of a couple of reproductions but I've never handled one. I've seen photos of the one in the Museum of London too, but I'm not a fan of the shape of that one.

I only got a regular style round knife recently but other than the handle geometry and the spike, I don't see the blade geometry of the medieval ones being much different from a modern round knife. They might be a touch thicker in the spine on account of being made of wrought iron with a welded steel edge, but until I get one made I won't know how well that holds up.

Nobody's quite sure what the spike out front is for. There's a few plausible theories but as far as I know no medieval examples exist in good enough condition to know its geometry or whether it had sharp edges.

[Art]

MM,

Those styles and others are outlined in Salaman. He also provides copious references to other texts.

Dictionary of Leatherworking Tools c. 1700-1950

and the Tools of the Allied Trades by R. A. Salaman: paperback, 350+ pp. Useful information for harness and saddlemakers, shoe and boot makers, hat and glove makers, book binders and more. The most complete leather-working tool reference available.

Available at Proleptic and also Amazon which is cheaper and has Super Saver Shipping (free over $25 which this is).

Art

Does anyone own, or have good photos, of a medieval style round knife (the ancestor of todays round knife)? I have some pictures here taken from various period artwork. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried making a replica. Would be cool for my demonstrations.

[Sparks]

I've actually seen round knives on pottery and stonework from the first century...can't remember if it was AD or BC but when it's that old it doesn't matter much. Those round knives looked just like the ones we use now. I do have a leather workers knife that is different than what we are used to...see it at the following. Meanwhile, I'll look for more early images of round knives to post.

http://www.sheffieldknives.co.uk/acatalog/7-121.html

[shtoink]

Nobody's quite sure what the spike out front is for. There's a few plausible theories but as far as I know no medieval examples exist in good enough condition to know its geometry or whether it had sharp edges.

Maybe it doubled as a knife to cut and serve up your roasted meats... Slice, poke, serve.

All joking aside, it's possible that it may have been used to score the leather or even open holes in the leather a little bit. Obviously, just pure speculation.

[Sparks]

Here's a bunch of links to medeval images

http://www.larsdatter.com/shoemakers.htm

[Cyberthrasher]

I do have a leather workers knife that is different than what we are used to...see it at the following. Meanwhile, I'll look for more early images of round knives to post.

http://www.sheffield...alog/7-121.html

Not to sidetrack from the topic too much, but how do you like that knife?

[Sylvia]

That reminds me of a Medieval Pike Axe Like this.....

http://northstarzone.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/114-2092.jpg

Which begs the question, were these cobblers retired warriors that re-purposed their weapons?

[adamk]

i have one, and use it at 14th century medieval events,the "pointy bit" is used as an awl.will post a photo of it later.

[adamk]

here it is...

[immiketoo]

Adam, you have the coolest toys! Is the blade sharp?

[adamk]

thankyou.it needs a bit of a sharpen,but it works pretty well.

[immiketoo]

Welcome. How are you faring lately?

[adamk]

all is good,going to be a good year.i hope.

[amuckart]

Adam, who made that one?

Thanks.

[adamk]

i dont know who made this one.but there is someone who makes them here in uk and sells them on ebay.

[Tundra Leather]

Hello from Canada! I just noticed this on the forum, and I'd like to share a photo of two knives that I have in my collection. They were from a 14th century dig in Yugoslavia. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Sean

Tundra Leather

[Trox]

Hi all, I found a couple of knifes on French EBay who looks pretty old. They might both have new handles. The first one looks like it is from the 18 century French saddlery. The second might be a later Hungarian style of knife, or a 18 century French knife too. In the Encyclopedia of Diderot and D` Alembert, Paris c. 1760 you can see the first style of knife. It is one knife for sale on French EBay right now http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251226490712?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648 who looks like a 18. c style. Older knifes are hard to find, you might be able to find some in museums. You can see some drawings of early round knifes in the book of R. A. Salaman: Dictionary of leather-working tools, c. 1700-1950. He dates the one with a pointed (awl) end to be from AD 1400 to 1500.

[adamk]

thanks for posting those photos,really interesting shapes,would like to own an origianal blade myself.to show people at my denonstrations.

thanks again for you inputs.