Bollock dagger

I have had this blade for a bollock dagger lying around for almost two years now. So I thought that it was due time to do something about it.
Therefore I spent some time during my winter holiday carving a handle for it.

I first ordered the blade when I saw this bollock dagger at the National museum in Copenhagen a couple of years ago. I really liked the octagonal handle and wondered why I hadn't really seen any reproductions of these daggers with that type of handle.
My handle is not a reproduction of the one I saw though. Just inspired by the shape of it.

Here is the one I made:



The handle is made from the root of waht I believe was a cherry tree. I'm not exactly sure, since It had been on the ground for a long time. The bark was falling of and the leaves were long gone. But I managed to get a good chunk of one of the roots sticking up from the ground.



The scabbard-design is inspired from some of the scabbards in "Knives and scabbards" and is made from two layers of leather.

Needlecase

It's been a long time since I did one of these. So I decided to make one.
Hope you like it.

I made the inside from a piece of half tanned leather. This gets very stiff after drying, so the inside won't get wobbly after some time of use. If the inside gets soft it can't keep the top in place, wich is a problem.

Spoons, spoons, spoons!

Lately I have been carving like crazy! I have set up a chopping block in our living room and spent almost every evening for the last couple of weeks carving spoons.
I suppose it is a bit like knitting... only a bit more manly.

Here are a couple of pictures of some of the projects I have been working on.

First these medieval spoons. I shamelessly copied the design from some spoons made by Robin Wood. They are based on a spoon from Lübeck, dated to "The middle ages" (ca. 1100-1500).


A ladle. Not based on anything i particular. I just liked this type of "spoon" som I decided to make one. The wood is birch like all the other spoons, that I have done. Only this turned quite dark, because I stored it in a plastic bag for a couple og days. I quite like the colour.


Normal spoons for eating. These are actually some of the first ones I made.


Another ladle carved from a crooked branch. The grain follows the curve of the bowl and handle. Making the spoon more durable.


I would do a guide on carving spoons if there wasn't already a couple of these out there. Therefore I will point you in the direction of some of these.

First a couple of videos (by the fabulous Robin Wood). Be sure to watch all four of them!

Second is the "Bodgers ask & awnser forum", wich I have linked to on earlier occasions. There are lots and lots of clever people using this forum. And they are always keen on helping.

More Colour please!

While winter is still here with lots of snow and frost I´m continuing with my in-door dyeing. Can´t help my self! It is great to find the medieval spirit again - I have some how lost it in a lot of knitting projects. But I can now see the forthcomming markets and great medievaltrips as a kind of carot in front of me and this really helps. I have already sold some of my dyed yarns and this finances bying more wool and yarns.

I have dyed with Solidago canadensis, also know as Canadian Goldenrod. I have dyed woth woolen yarns and silk and the green is from adding iron in the end of the dye.