Hello all-Bursting with questions, this is my second post, immediately following my first post.
I am also shopping for a late 14th century dagger for a knight or man-at-arms. I am partial to both rondel and ballock forms. However, most of the daggers I find commercially available are labeled as 15th century replicas. Furthermore, though I hear a lot of vague references to good examples of art, effigy or artifacts depicting either rondels or ballocks in the 14th century, I haven't seen many directly (particularly of ballocks). The 14th ballocks I have seen seem much more short and stubby than their 15th century counterparts, which seem to be plentiful.
I am wondering if people would comment on a few of the following image links as to whether any of them would satisfy the 1360-1400 style of daggers. Here are a few:
BRACTEA is a Polish crafts shop that makes some really nice looking stuff. All their daggers are on the same page here, most 15th century. Specifically I'm looking at the light-handled ballock mid-way down (D06), and the one two below that, in the decorated black scabbard (DO8): http://www.bractea.freha.pl/knives.html
Arma Bohemia is in the Czech Republic, and makes a number of rondel-like daggers, all claimed to be 15th century.
Here's one: http://www.armabohemia.cz/imgnew/epees/poignards/dyka1_v.jpg
Here are two more, Swiss and French, 15th century: http://www.armabohemia.cz/imgnew/epees/poignards/DG15v.jpg
Here's another, from a myArmoury.com review: http://www.myarmoury.com/review_ab_rondel.html
I am also aware of offerings from Arms & Armor (they offer a very nice-looking rondel) and Del Tin (two rondels, both 15th).
I guess my basic question has to do with the evolution of form and materials for both dagger types. What distinguishes a mid-15th century from a 14th century in either the rondel or ballock?
Thank you for any help you can provide.
-Paul
Title updated per author's request. --FS
[ 04-19-2007: Message edited by: Fire Stryker ]