{"title":"Knives and blades","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"coppergate-kitchen-knife","title":"Coppergate Kitchen Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeconds. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'd already roughed out the handle for the Coppergate kitchen knife, but the blade needed hand sanding and the handle refining. I couldn't get the polishing stones in to a couple of places (to remove slivers of forge scale) and there was a bit of unevenness in part of the blade. I considered trying to grind them out, but the blade has a very specific profile, and I would have lost that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, I'll be selling it at the discounted price of £140, rather than £175. It's purely cosmetic, and reminds us that it is actually hand forged. Handle is Oak and, despite what everyone says about Oak and Iron, is a wood used on handles in period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53652443824460,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_25657175-4a0f-4550-8670-318fa2421558.jpg?v=1760996086"},{"product_id":"coppergate-pivot-knife","title":"Coppergate Pivot Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhich it did, so, I ran with it and finished off this pivot knife from Viking Age Coppergate!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI started making this months ago, but had sussed the fullers, as they're not really fullers. I wasn't sure they'd work, the plates are curved, with the fuller showing on the underside, creating an elongated M in section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI figured these actually prevent the blade from passing right through the handle when closed, perhaps even pinching it to hold it closed too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, I decided to treat this one as a prototype, skipping some of the finishing details, and just machine finishing it rather than hand sanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plates are made from puddle iron, a form of wrought-iron, which are brazed at the tip. A bit of a challenge, but it's secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is a high carbon steel, mainly ground to shape as its so tiny, but fully heat treated and tempered, and razor sharp (you see what I did there? ;) ).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll in all I'm pretty pleased with it, even if there's still a bit of Brut de Forge on the case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next one will be better, and more refined, but if you'd like this for your collection I'm offering it at £85, plus shipping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55808727908684,"sku":null,"price":145.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_0d860add-5df6-4013-bf62-43b9d0ea5105.jpg?v=1761843965"},{"product_id":"fishergate-scribes-knife","title":"Fishergate Scribe's Knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis rather unusual piece is based on a find from Fishergate, York, dating to the 10th century, and can be found in later artwork being used by scribes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is hand forged carbon steel, with the handle being made from antler and Alder, set to the blade using an historical cutler's resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBone and Antler collars have been found in York dating from the 10th through to the late 12th century, with this particular fluted style dating to the 11th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've been unable to find a sheath that could be intended for such an unusual blade, and suspect it formed part of a scribes tool kit that remained in place, probably in monastic settings. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56011055726924,"sku":null,"price":170.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_115db48c-8e73-4eb5-b58f-1e77343d5a2d.jpg?v=1763753873"},{"product_id":"the-piccadilly-peacock","title":"The Piccadilly Peacock.","description":"\u003cp\u003eA Type IV, late 10th Century feasting knife!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is hand forged, with a high carbon steel edge, a 9 layer twisted pattern weld, and antique wrought-iron spine. I forge welded the billet pretty close to shape, allowing me to get a narrow, tightly twisted pattern, full of runes and dancing goths!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 11cm\u003cbr\u003eWidth at break: 25mm\u003cbr\u003eThickness on spine: 6mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe handle is made from hawthorn, carved after a find from the Piccadilly excavations in York. You'll note the crest on the forehead and the flowing plumes, making me believe that, with the hooked beak, this is a representation of a Peacock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original, described as a possible knife handle, is made from boxwood, but I do like the hawthorn as a wood. My hawthorn is all claimed from local sources, and is cut 'in the round', giving quite a different appearance to the grain, than traditionally planked wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe copper-alloy bolster, is file worked and while not strictly period similar examples can be found in earlier periods, and I felt the handle needed something to finish it off nicely. I also added a copper-alloy twisted ring, mounted in a hole seen on the original, with a goat hide thong representing the Peacock's plumage, finished with glass beads from Tillerman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the sheath I've pulled together a variety of sources, to create something that represents the peak of what they could have created \"in period\", and to fill in the gaps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's made from 2mm veg tan, with a vellum lining used as a base for foundation moulding over cord work risers; with a half tunnel stitched seam, as seen on the majority of seax type sheaths, meaning that the stitches are only visible on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe knotwork design on the face is taken from DLS 2 and DLS 3 from Dublin, as is the concept behind the moulded spine. In previous discussions George Ezell noted the similarity of the Parliament Street seax sheath with contemporary crosiers, many of which are serpent themed, which is what I've gone with here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe moulded spine is also similar to the Parliament Street knife sheath, and creates a larger, more tool able field, and I've opted for decorating it in a fashion similar to Coppergate 15659. The geometric design on the reverse is inspired by several of the Dublin sheaths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe moulded band, by the sheath mouth, is also inspired by a Dublin sheath, DLS 4, and the Parliament Street knife sheath; the latter also being the source for the truncated suspension flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe copper-alloy rivets along the front face of the spine are taken from DLS 11, with the remaining fittings taken from various York excavations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe large, decorated studs; though the originals are gold, Anglo-Scandinavian Finds 10541, and lead alloy, Anglo-Scandinavian Finds 10556. Likewise the copper-alloy strip is based on Anglo-Scandinavian Finds 10390, from Coppergate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe suspension loop is also inspired by a find of a hooked tag from Coppergate, Anglo-Scandinavian Finds 10436, which has a \"fake\" rivet dome tooled into the surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI did make this from sheet, though this isn't always the case for hooked tags; so, I hand hammered the hook to create an 'I-beam', a feature often seen on iron hooks and hinges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've opted for following the original seax sheaths, and have peened all the rivets without the use on washers on the backs. On many seax sheaths it's possible to see the indentation of rivet heads and plates on the front face, but not the reverse, suggesting they didn't use washers. From previous mistakes peening rivets, I can attest to the fact that even a half peened rivet is extremely difficult to remove from the leather!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather is dyed with a blend of modern chemical dyes, and an antique wax used to bring out some of the low lights. Tooling leather creates a colour contrast that is lost when using moderns dyes, so, this is an attempt to bring some of that contrast back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's all then finished with my blend of beeswax, goose tallow and Neatsfoot oil, adding a protective and waterproof finish. As is the knife handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn creating this piece my aim wasn't so much to produce something that an ancient warrior might have seen, but to recreate the feeling they had when they bought their new knife, when you buy yours!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are nods to a modern aesthetic, but hopefully not at the cost of authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57048125047116,"sku":null,"price":775.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_75596ef7-4a25-4132-931f-694c597e10c3.jpg?v=1774178286"},{"product_id":"inlayed-viking-knife","title":"Inlayed Viking knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eA late 10th Century, inlayed Coppergate blade, with Dublin sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has a high carbon steel edge forge welded on to a wrought-iron spine, which is inlayed with 4 brass and bronze wires on each side. The handle is made from Thuya Burl secured with an historical cutler's resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 77mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth: 20mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThickness: 5.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is made from 2mm veg tan, based on Dublin DLS54, with a skived, whip stitched back seam, and finished with my own leather balm. The original report suggests that the small holes are intended for leather thonging, to form the suspension. However, the original has a wider hole, which is more likely the suspension point, and the holes are c.2mm which is far too small to pull a leather thong through without it breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, I've opted for using delicate bronze 'rivets'; rivets feature on many seax and knife sheaths both earlier and later than this example, and this seems the most plausible explanation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57053607919948,"sku":null,"price":200.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_7a7ddaff-1dba-4a93-b467-f036e76fb6fb.jpg?v=1774262725"},{"product_id":"viking-age-knife","title":"Viking Age knife.","description":"\u003cp\u003eA late 9th to early 11th century every day knife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt has a wrought-iron backed blade with a carbon steel edge forge welded in place, hilted with cutler's resin into a piece hawthorn. The blade is based on one of the Coppergate finds and the spine of the clipped point is peaked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length is just shy of 8cm, width 19mm, and it's a respectable 6mm thick!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is an interpretation of one found in Upper Thames Street, London, and is hand tooled with a half tunnel stitched seam. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I use modern veg tan, and chemical dyes to try and replicated bark tanned colours, the contrast created when tooling is lost. So, I've used Antique Wax to bring back a little of that contrast and make the tooling more visible; hopefully, without over doing it!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57053747347788,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_44249ff6-4a01-4430-87f4-c75c707e7a90.jpg?v=1774263234"},{"product_id":"viking-seax-with-irish-sheath","title":"Viking seax with Irish sheath","description":"\u003cp\u003eA type iii\/ii seax, with an 11th century Hiberno-Norse sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is hand forged spring steel, set into a shapely, Thuya Burl handle with historical cutler's resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 18.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth at break: 28mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThickness: 6.5mm, tapering to the tip and hilt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is based on DLS 19, from Dublin, and is hand tooled, 2.5mm veg tan. The seam is sewn with a half tunnel stitch, so, the stitching is only visible on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe leather is dyed to represent a possible brown from bark tanned leather; the rich, polished finish coming from my home made leather balm, of neats foot oil, goose tallow, and beeswax.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57053890216268,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_78a7dc75-defc-4abc-b980-339c0e58b08d.jpg?v=1774263712"},{"product_id":"migration-era-feasting-knife","title":"Migration Era feasting knife","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 7th century eating knife and sheath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is wrought-iron with a high carbon steel edge forge welded in place, set into a rather nicely grained Alder wood handle. As with many knives from this period, the handle overlaps a significant portion of the blade, which is held in place with an historical cutler's resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 78mm exposed.\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 20mm\u003cbr\u003eThickness: 6.5mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe veg tan sheath is hand tooled, using details from various knife sheaths of the period and is finished with brass rivets and bronze plates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57073872961868,"sku":null,"price":255.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_a1aba4a2-0c90-4779-bcfc-c1b0b45418c4.jpg?v=1774432147"},{"product_id":"seax-of-the-great-army-blunt","title":"Seax of the Great Army (blunt)","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis seax is hand forged, including hand forged fullers, and fully heat treated; ideal for where sharp blades aren't allowed for safety reasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade is EN45, with an antler inspired by various collars from Coppergate, and a chip carved English walnut handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade length: 265mm (26.5cm)\u003cbr\u003eThickness: 5.6mm\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 44cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheath is 2mm veg tan, hand decorated copying Coppergate 15661, with added clarity and uniformity of the Knotwork pattern. (I could probably do a lecture on how the original is made by an Hiberno-Norse craftsman, but trying to work to Anglo-Scandinavian styles!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI've cast all the studs, in house, from either tin or a low zinc, tin based copper-alloy, with hand made suspension loops and twisted bronze rings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe collar at the sheath's mouth is made sheet tin, and the seam has been secured with hide glue, as well as the rivets, and burnished to a fine finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the first blunt seax I've made, as I usually focus on sharps, and is to see if there is a market for high end blunt seax, whether for living history displays or public facing heritage. It would also be ideal for stage, film, or TV, where safety is paramount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57372036235596,"sku":null,"price":420.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_d9a89de9-8793-45bf-85a7-806ee2713603.jpg?v=1777049320"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0981\/0316\/5260\/collections\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_9534db49-e6fb-4597-8553-b4ea63127424.jpg?v=1763757551","url":"https:\/\/krokathurston.myshopify.com\/collections\/knives-and-blades.oembed","provider":"Kroka Thurston's Workshop ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}