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Topic: Pen knife?

Strongbow
Member
Member # 461

posted 05-14-2003 10:29 PM

Anyone know of anyone who produces period pen knives? I found a guy in the UK, but the price is a bit steep, even without shipping.

Strongbow

Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

K Grayson
Member
Member # 284

posted 05-15-2003 01:42 AM

http://www.talerwin.com/
Alex from Talerwin Forge does a viking age folding knife for AU$50 (~ US$33)
http://www.manningimperial.com/
Craig from Manning Imperial does a similar folding knife for AU$90 (~ US$60)

Both are very good artisans, and I'm sure would do whatever period and styles you want.

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Kelt.

Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged

Wolf
Member
Member # 375

posted 05-15-2003 08:43 AM

i couldnt get Talerwin to respond to my emails. asked about his ballock dagger. best of luck

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Chuck Russell

Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

Callum Forbes
Member
Member # 230

posted 05-15-2003 06:03 PM

I couldn't get Talerwin to respond to an e-mail either, re. ballock kife as well. And that was several weeks ago.

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URL=http://www.jousting.co.nz

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Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

gleat
New Member
Member # 367

posted 05-15-2003 09:47 PM

I just spoke to ALex (Talerwin) on the phone and told him what people here have said. He was very sorry about not replying to people, but he was flooded with emails over the last 2 months, some people knowing what they want and others wanting him to do all the research for them. With luck things should pick up with his contactablity side.

I think half the problem is just ALex is a nice guy and has trouble saying no ..or asking for more details. The other half is his web site has worked too well too soon and he is getting more orders than he can handle. When his new workshop is fully up and running that should not be a problem

Registered: Oct 2002 | IP: Logged

Callum Forbes
Member
Member # 230

posted 05-15-2003 10:14 PM

I've just had a reply from him saying contact him again in July due to his workload.

From what of the armour I've seen him make for Rod and Justin its well worth the wait.

Craig Sitch (Manning Imperial) is also an excellent artisan although his waiting list is usually 6 months.

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kanzlr
Member
Member # 633

posted 07-20-2004 11:18 AM

tod does make penknifes:
http://www.todsstuff.co.uk/Mainpage.htm

Registered: Jul 2004 | IP: Logged

Woodcrafter
Member
Member # 197

posted 07-22-2004 12:16 PM

I have been wondering about this for a while. Why folding knives? Non-folding knives are found in abundance. They seem to be the work-day tool. So why are folding knives a rarer find? Was it necessary to fold the knife for storage? The certainly did not have pockets, and knives were not placed in pouches. Could it perhaps be a more common and overlooked requirement, like a .... razor sharp blade? A blade so sharp that it cannot be fitted into a leather sheath? 14thc fashion was predominatly for shaven faces, no moustache or beard. They are seen, but rarely. So could a folding knife be the tool of the barbers?

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Woodcrafter
14th c. Woodworking

Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

gregory23b
Member
Member # 642

posted 08-31-2004 09:33 AM

K Grayson, I think the original enquiry was for pen knives, ie ones ot make pens. It would seem the folding variety are much later than the medieval period.

I can recommend Tod, as has another poster, very good steel.

he can make to your requirements too.

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history is in the hands of the marketing department - beware!

Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

gregory23b
Member
Member # 642

posted 08-31-2004 09:37 AM

I should have clarified my last post. Folding penknives are a much later item.

Folding razors however do occur, a few possibles exist in Gloucester and Mueseum of London. Additonally I have an illustration from a book showing a man being shaved with what looks very much like a cut throat, even to the way it is being held in that time honoured fashion, crooked in hand forming a right angle.

The picture is late 15th century/very early 16th French.

As for being so sharp they cannot be put in sheaths I am no metallurgist but Tod, made me a bespoke knife for cutting my woodblocks, which has to be strong and thin and hold an edge, he made me a small scabbard which seems to work fine. Maybe the construction of the sheat is what needs to be looked at.

Also certain tools are stored in particular ways, so a special knife may be stored in a box say rather than a sheath.

regards

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history is in the hands of the marketing department - beware!

Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

Wolfes Company
Member
Member # 167

posted 09-04-2004 12:11 PM

There are 3 finds in the Knives and Scabbards book for MoL two form the 13th century and 1 from the 14th century.

Steve

Registered: Apr 2001 | IP: Logged

gregory23b
Member
Member # 642

posted 09-05-2004 08:20 AM

Sorry Steve are saying three types of folding knife or folding penknife.

regards

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history is in the hands of the marketing department - beware!

Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

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