Albaniana bronze handled knife

[dave74]

Oh, I really like these smaller knives with complex shapes. But then I do have a good deal of practice making them and have a closely guarded secret methode to craft these ......

I use two different size wooden mallets I made from walnut, reinforced with rawhide strips.

I like hints,Robert,my brain needs the excercise!
Off topic but,started another xiphos,may have a method of doing *spurs* on Greek swords to share that will work well for your shop set up,I'll send an email,if only I could forge and,take pictures/video at the same time

[Robert]

That wasn't a hint, you dolt :-)! That was the closely guarded secret ....

Using a wooden mallet keeps the blade's back and edge from being marred when you forge in the curves. A wooden, half round "anvil" (spilt hardwood log) can also be used but with 800 degree iron, produces some interesting effects. So I only use that for big things like a falx.

PS could use some more votes on the bladeshapes, please ....

[Flavivs Aetivs]

The cat's out of the bag! With this knowledge I can now create a knife-production pyramid scheme! illy:

I think the universal consensus so far is "A". I look forward to the finished product Robert, what era does this Knife date to?

Also is the Albaniana fortress in the Historical Albania (modern Russia/Azerbaijan)?

[dave74]

Agreed "A" is a winner!

[caiusbeerquitius]

This would be the correct blade form, archaeologically:
http://www.hr-replikate.de/katalog/bilder/nr0307.jpg

[Flavivs Aetivs]

Why is that?

[Robert]

It's first century and the Albaniana fortress is in the Netherlands.

Like I said, B is a very likely candidate for bronze handled knives, although the one shown is of a different handle type. So Christian could be correct in his assumption. But on this handle, it just doesn't really look the part, for some estetic reason ...