Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

How to Make Medieval Daggers

Express your passion for the history of European armies and battles by crafting a medieval dagger. Daggers devised during the medieval period were manufactured in response to Roman long swords as quick-draw handheld weapons. Daggers were removed from sheathes with much simpler motions and less effort than long swords. Daggers also were more effective for close range fighting. While making a real dagger blade is impractical for a craft, using standard household goods will have your faux version designed in no time.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
Pencil
Cardboard
Scissors
Permanent epoxy
Metallic silver spray paint
1-by-6-inch dowel rod
Work gloves
Saw
Black spray paint

Instructions

- 1
  Measure and draw the shape of a 2-by-10-inch blade onto a piece of cardboard. The blade should extend vertically until the top 2 inches which angle inward at the apex to form a point. Cut out the cardboard blade with scissors.
- 2
  Trace a 2-by-6-inch rectangular handle guard onto a piece of cardboard. Cut out the cardboard handle guard with a pair of scissors.
- 3
  Add a layer of permanent epoxy to the center of the handle guard. Position the handle guard and blade together to form a letter "T" shape. The handle guard acts as the horizontal line on the "T" and the blade as the vertical line. Angle the tip of the blade downward. Press the tacky center of the handle guard into the blade and hold for 30 seconds to secure the bond. The body of the blade is now complete.
- 4
  Take the blade outside. Spray paint both sides of the blade with metallic silver-colored spray paint. Allow two hours for the blade to dry.
- 5
  Sit the dowel rod up on one of its short ends. Slide on a pair or work gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes. Cut a small 1/8-inch thick "V" shape across the center of the dowel rod with a saw. Remove the work gloves and safety glasses. Your handle is now complete.
- 6
  Take the handle outside. Spray paint the entire handle with black spray paint. Allow two hours for the handle to dry.
- 7
  Layer the top center edge of the "T" -- the horizontal edge -- with permanent epoxy. Turn the "T" upside down so the blade tip is sticking up. Press the upside down "T" down into the "V" shaped dowel rod crevice. Hold for 30 seconds to secure the bond. Your medieval dagger is now ready for handling or display.

Photography