Daggers....

[Nooksak]

Hello,

Im pretty new to knife making i have made one so far and have a few more started, ive been making them out of old saw blades(circluar saws) and im intrested in making a dagger, but alas i cant find any good deisings for a samll bladed dagger. Im looking for a blade lenght of about 4" and somthing that wont have to have a bolster/fingerguard. Thanks in advance,


Mike

[AwP]

Typically daggers have some sort of guard, because the stabbing motion makes it likely that your hand can slide up the handle and get cut on the blade. If you want a dagger without guards then your handle should taper as you get further from the blade, so the widening of the handle itself prevents hand sliding. Here's a picture of two nice fancy ones. I think they're single edged, but since the blade is symetrical there's no reason both sides couldn't be sharpened other then historical accuracy. Fair warning, double edged blades are harder to make then they seem.

http://knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21796

[Florian P.]

Originally Posted by AwP

Fair warning, double edged blades are harder to make then they seem.

I fully agree to that.

And here are some designs of twobladed daggers - even without guards:
http://www.engnath.com/public/dagrdraw.htm

[Nooksak]

Thanks, great ideas on those pages! I have made my own Broadheads which are double edged, would a dbl edge knife be harder? If so what should i watch out for?

[AwP]

I haven't made arrowheads, so I can't compare, I just know that I failed in my two attempts at it. One got made into a single edge and the other is scrap.

[Nathan Taylor]

Daggers are indeed more complex in making. The best method for me is to hollow grind both sides. The trick is making four symetrical grinds on one piece of steel. Try with some wood first to see if it is something you want to attempt. Then be prepared for much cursing and the train wreck on the first attempts. The sgian dubhs that were shown on the link are a good example of a single edged weapon that has the dagger look but is a simpler design. Of course nothing is never mastered except through trial error and much cursing. NT

[Nooksak]

I dont grind my knifes, all my work is done with files(except cut out which is done with an abrasive wheel). "Of course nothing is never mastered except through trial error and much cursing" lmao, aint that the truth! Im planing this out carfully so that i have less "surprises" coming to me when i get started. Thanks,

Mike

[AwP]

You might have good luck with those files rather then grinding or forging. Hand filing is slow but gives alot more control.