A Custom Maker Question

[Skofnung]

Here’s a question for you fellas that know the ins and outs of the custom cutlery world.

If you wanted a big dagger made to (or around) the following specifications, who would you have make it?

15” overall length

10” long 3” wide at base Carbon steel spearpoint blade, flat ground and differentially tempered – a visible temper line would be a plus, but not necessary.

4” slightly curved steel quillon and flat based steel pommel

Handle material natural colored canvas micarta

What I am looking for is a strong, no frills cut and thrust dagger that is an improvement on the Cold Steel Tai Pan design. I don’t care for much ostentation, but I would like the lines to be pleasing to the eye.

So what say you?

 

[hso]

What blade steel?

What guard material?

Any butt cap?

Sheath?

How soon? or How long you willing to wait?

 

[Valkman]

How long you willing to wait?

That's the big one - once you find the perfect maker you find he has a 3 year backlog! Or more.

Me, I'd get on a knife site like bladeforums or usualsuspect.net and look around for who makes similar and talk to them.

 

[hso]

A visable temper line on a dagger means an oil quench and that means forging. That drives the price up. If you want a no frills cut and thrust you'll have difficulty getting that. If you don't care if you see the temper line you can get a dagger with a soft core and hard edge based on a torch anneal of the spine.

 

[coelacanth]

sounds like a baby cinquedea. . . . .

have you seen a design you like or is this just something floating around in your imagination? hso is on target with his description of a custom piece like you describe. If you have not seen Jim Hrisoulas' work it is worth taking a look at. Salamander Armory is his baby @ www.atar.com/old/ . He might be willing to take on the job.

 

[Skofnung]

I'm still in the planning stages here, both in terms of design and money.

A little background to clarify: I’ve been doing FMA for awhile, and I’ve found that my “style” incorporates more thrusting than most of my sparring partners. Thus, I started looking for daggers that could both cut and thrust well.

The only production knife that I’ve seen so far that looks like it fits the bill is the Tai Pan, and I still have a few quibbles with the design. Here are my proposed changes:

Were one to widen the blade, one could get a more acute grind that would cut better.

Were one to give the guard a slight curve, it would fit the (my) hand better.

Were one to add a flat pommel (I’m thinking one like the Air Force Survival Knife) with a squared lower edge, it could be used as a punyo for locking, passing, smashing, ect…

I guess what I’m looking for is a pocket Gladius that fits my “FMA by way of Rome” style.

 

[JTW Jr.]

check out Mike Irie he makes some nice push daggers.