can any of you suggest some good reading on Ballock daggers?
If possible nothing written 1910 and impossible to get today.
I'm going to try and make my own dagger and needs to know how the Ballock daggers developed during time.

[ 02-16-2002: Message edited by: Crossbow Mike ]

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do know where I can get it?

I agree with you on that.
From what I've read, it's shown in the Luttrell Psalter c.1340.
The Bohemian Bilderbibel from 1300-1350.
And on some early 14th C effigys.

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I've ordered it from Amazon today.

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(it is toward the bottom of the page)
and give me your impression of its historical accuracy (I'm sure that he makes good stuff, I just don't know exactly what it should look like).

Secondly, do you know any other places where I might get a good one?

Thanks!

This one is listed as being authentic. Seems to bear a resemblance to the one you are looking at.

This page shows a lot of weaponry. If you scroll a little ways (10th "line" of photos), you will come across a nice ballock dagger on the right.
http://www.geocities.com/ulfberth/Leger2a.htm

Jenn

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Nice set of photos!

Run Away, cover your eyes (screaming)....

It is more of a plug bayonette than a proper ballock dagger.

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Ya, it's not a premium dagger, but it does have some of the features of some of the more "common" daggers. Combine the upper grip from the dagger on the "Ulfbert" site Jenn posted with the small balls on the antique sword site & the tinker dagger Gordon's asking about isn't so sucky. I'd never suggest anyone ever order custom from Tinker, and some of his work does have configuration flaws, but this little knife isn't half bad. (caution: writer's bias- I carry a similarly handled Tinker Ballock Dagger, even though it's flaws are known)

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I'd like to know what their inspiration was. It could very well be an actual piece in a museum or it could be something they've just made up on the fly. Ya know, with a thinner blade, it wouldn't be half bad...

Lutel's funny that way - Some of their stuff I really like, but some of it I have to wonder what the heck they were thinking.

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As you can see, it's a PDF file so be ready for that.

What Lutel was thinking (like a number of their swords) is that they are using a common blade and simply varying the grip/hardware to make a new model. That way they cut down on inventory and make up combinations as needed. FYI: They come sharpened and with an incorrect (design) but helpful leather sheath.

I've been tempted to convert the Lutel blade by changing the handle to make it a Basilard (style) which I think the blade would be better suited for.

I had written a commentary on a number of the ballock daggers out there on the AA forum but searching for it was fruitless. Here is a quick recap of what I was looking at...

Lutel's version: It's a good knife mechanically for what it is. But it's just wrong in design, weight, blade width, etc. from a historical perspective.

Tod's Stuff: http://www.todsstuff.co.uk/html/bollocks.htm
I'd really like to get one of these to try. The picture looks really promising for one used by a common/lower class person. The shape seems right and it is undecorated. I was thinking that these might make good starter/loaner knives for new members as well as a cheap utility knife for when you don't want to trash your good one. Price is promising too. This could be a good entry knife. Anyone buy one yet?

Del Tins: These are good knives for a production knife but they are rather expensive. Del Tin offers 2 examples.
http://www.deltin.it/balldag.jpg

The first which is 5158 is similar to Jeff's and Chef's models. This is one (that Chef has educated me on) that is one for someone portraying a fancier/more prominent station such as a man-at-arms or someone with wealth. It is very well made.

The second is 2154 which is the one I ordered to replace my Lutel. It's a nice knife. Balance is well done. Blade design and shape seems correct. This is a slightly more middle class variation and more appropriate to my station (portrayal).

But they do not come cheap, they do not come full sharpened (if you order direct), and they do not come with a sheath. I ordered mine from Art Elwell (A Work of Art) in CA. He did a very nice job in making a custom heavy sheath for it and sharpening my blade. For a standard production model, I think it makes a very nice portrayal and utility knife.

Tinker: I think that's a very nice combination set Jeff. Obviously it's a custom job and for a higher station persona. I think I recall Jeff saying he cut off his big toe (figuratively speaking) in getting Tinker to finally get around to making the knife and getting it to him.

Historic Enterprises: Jeff H. made Bob a wonderful set as well as a very custom sheath for it all. As everything else he's made, I think it's an amazing piece of work but my understanding is that it was a one time thing (certainly the sheath which must have been a bear to make).

or this one

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I suspect either would work. Both have grips that are similar to historical counterparts.

This image is a snippet of the larger image I linked to in my earlier post.

As you can see, the one of the left has a wide grip and a shorter blade. The one on the right is slender and finely appointed.

I have a personal bias, I am more accustomed to the slender, more elegant blades when I think of this type of dagger. Out of the two from your post, I think the one on the bottom is a better match. The one on the top bothers me for some reason. I suspect that it might have to do with the blade shape. It reminds me more of the tip of a sword than a dagger.

For what it's worth,

Jenn

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Bertus, I like your "Pardon - under construction" image! That is definately different!

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Ta

Adhemar

quote:

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Originally posted by Ron M:
You might want to check out a Ballock Dagger offered at WWW.PRAGUE-GUIDE.COM.It looks pretty good to my untrained eye.

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Here is some nice photos to look at!
http://members.chello.se/hsummanen/moseifonstret/doc/testikeldolk.htm

I hope Henrik Summanen doesn't strangle me for showing them.
The bad thing is that I don't know who made the replica.

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Talk about your one stop shopping - reenactment weapons and an escort service.

Off topic - sorry!

Gordon