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Author
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Topic: Extant flesh hooks?
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Woodcrafter
Member
Member # 197
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posted 06-01-2005 04:38 PM
    
I read up on these in _The Medieval Household_ and _Les Objectrs de la vie domestique_ by Berger-Levrault ISBN 2-7013-0218-8, then forged a couple using 3/8 inch mild iron. Then I went back and re-read
the sources. There is a trick to making it look just like the originals. I lucked out on the first one I made. Then did what one would normally expect to do to make one and it turned out poorly. You can see the failed one in the pic below. Another failing is that there is a difference between 14th and 15thc flesh hooks. I have only found socketed and spiked flesh hooks for the 14thc. In fact most kitchen items seem to be socketed, possibly because the cost of iron. However in the 15thc, there are now
examples of flesh hooks with full length iron handles. It would be nice if
someone finds a pic of a 14thc flesh hook with a full iron handle.To get the correct look to the hooks. Hot cut in from the front end, dividing the metal in two, for a sufficient length that you will have the first hook as long as the others, and with sufficient spacing to look good. Then hot cut in from 'nearer' the handle (along the bottom), towards the front end till the hook is sufficient length. This cut is much shorter. Heat and bend all hooks down, ensuring the spacing is close to the same for all hooks. Yes they will be different lengths, so heat and cut them to the same length and curl up the hooks. They need not be beat to round point, just thinned to rectangular points will work fine. The forge blackening will prevent rust and allow for soap and water washing. For 14thc fashion, heat and flatten the socket (handle) end and curl it around. It can also be beat to a point and inserted into a handle much like a whittle knife.  [ 06-01-2005: Message edited by: Woodcrafter ] -------------------- Woodcrafter
14th c. Woodworking
Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged
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) in museum collections anywhere? I have several image references but am looking for a physical artifact.
