Chaucer's Dagger - from artwork to craftwork

[@gvii]

One can debate whether or not Chaucer would have worn it. But what cannot be debated is the fact that is a fantastic bit of work there. Very cool video sir.

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you

[@jacobklunder8552]

I watched this video originally and rememberred a friend of mine had mentioned he was getting a custom rondel dagger made by Tod’s Workshop. I wondered if this was his. And then today, my friend mentioned it on his Facebook page. Can’t wait to see this in real life.

[@gordonlawrence1448]

There was a comedy done around this era with these daggers that was almost like Monty Python. One of the jokes was that the fashion and the sign of prestige was to have the longest dagger. They started off at about a 12 inch blade and got longer and longer through the film till they were dragging on the floor about 10 feet behind the wearer and getting in the way of everything (including everyone having to jump up over them when the wearer turned round and acting like this was completely normal). I have looked for it for years and cant find it.

[@NevisYsbryd]

Well, Elizabethan court ran into that exact problem with rapier length. There was eventually a royal edict imposing a maximum length restriction to stop everyone tripping.

[@tommeakin1732]

I really love how you show us every detail. There's nothing better than seeing something, thinking, "Damn, I like the look of that", and then looking closer at it's details and realising that the harder you look at it, the more you like it haha

[@jeremytitus9519]

Fractal craftsman.

[@WillyShakes]

Hey Tod, just received my Antenna Dagger yesterday from you. I love it! Thanks for everything!

[@blortbugman8722]

Why do you need a dagger Shakespear? Actors unhappy about their pay again??

[@WillyShakes]

@@blortbugman8722 In a political struggle, never get personal - else the dagger digs too deep.

[@daveh3997]

@@blortbugman8722 Maybe prop for Macbeth? "Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight? or art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain? I see thee yet, in form as palpable As this which now I draw." Can't do that scene with a spoon . . .

[@KateVeeoh]

When Tod ends on "thank you very much", I always go "no, thank YOU, Tod" 😄 what a great channel 🙌🏻

[@danielcuthbertson6642]

Tod, you’re truly a master craftsman. What a beautiful piece. Great to unfold history, fascinating!

[@tods_workshop]

Thank; that’s very kind

[@Smilomaniac]

I was wondering how important it really would be that it would be 'plausibly authentic', but then I realized that if I had made this beautiful dagger, I'd definitely want to hammer out the arguments, no pun intended.

[@tods_workshop]

It is ‘fantasy’ in that it is not a copy of anything, but I like to work within historical constraints, otherwise it is pure fantasy.

[@TBD98]

Tod's Workshop, I’d say you’re not giving yourself enough credit calling that amazing dagger ‘fantasy’.

[@NevisYsbryd]

@@TBD98 I think something like 'hypothetical reconstruction' might be a more accurate way of putting it.

[@yt.602]

@@tods_workshop I wouldn't call it fantasy, at most it's highly informed best guess based on an old artwork and considerable applied craftsmanship. It's right for the period and a lovely piece of work.

[@nudl3Zz]

your videos have become one of my "top priority" videos :-D when I watch a video or a show and you upload a new video, I'll take a break to watch yours

[@jamesellsworth9673]

The DETAILS here are wonderful to know. What I also LEARNED was how this weapon was worn and drawn and deployed.

[@dahgman3225]

All in all its a beautiful piece, Nicky done

[@mpsmith47304]

I love all your videos, but I'm so happy to see one back on the subject of your craft. So awesome.

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you so much!

[@ericmitchell985]

My first thought? 'The smylere with the knyf under the cloke;' I'd be smiling if I had that beauty!

[@AncientAssyrianPropsCostumes]

Tod your workmanship is wonderful.

[@Zaeyrus]

Beautiful blades Tod! True masterwork!

[@speckledjim5402]

Such a beautiful dagger.

[@act.13.41]

Another beautiful dagger. Great job Tod.

[@ethanspearman3842]

I love the sound effects.

[@nickronin9618]

amazing craftsmanship

[@reaperwithnoname]

I love hearing about your process.

[@angrypotato_fz]

You are an amazing, thoughtful artist!

[@garysmith3173]

Beautiful craftsmanship Tod

[@lorefort]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@feagal612]

I received the Quillon Dagger (TC79) I ordered from Tod Cutler today and I am very pleased with it, thank you very much. It's a simple design but extremely well made - I'm sure I'll be ordering more in the future!

[@Barberserk]

It's huge! And so well-made.

[@G1NZOU]

What I always love about these is they're not always perfect reproductions of a dagger or sword that exists, but has all the features to conceivably be on sale at the time period and for someone of that era to think "Hey that looks swanky, I'd pay money for that".

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

Lovely craftmanship!

[@brittoncooke1890]

Its nice to see the thoughts behind the details. I am too simple for such a fancy knife and obtained the "production" version a while back. Love it and would have paid twice the price for the quality I received. Just like training with sharp swords, training historical knife fighting with authentic weapons gave me a whole new perspective on the historical records. The rondels are both brutal and beautiful in equal measure. Very very brutal though.

[@BlueOzarkDenizen]

Beautiful craftsmanship

[@mrhotbox6811]

That dagger is absolutely stunning! I do hope that some day we'll see how you create such a masterpiece!

[@blackwater4707]

So many beautiful details.

[@crazykansan3026]

Very nice dagger. I'll bet the customer was more than happy with it. Chaucer fan here as well.

[@jemdillon3620]

Just ordered a dagger from you last month. US customs is still futzing around with it but I'll be thrilled to have it once it gets here.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks Elijah

[@tods_workshop]

Patience Jem, it is annoying, but USPS is struggling a bit at the moment

[@grishy8203]

I ordered a dagger about a week and a half ago. My idea was that if it gets here by Christmas then I've got myself a neat gift, and if it gets here much earlier then I'm in for a treat

[@jemdillon3620]

@@tods_workshop I'll do my level best, but I have *stabbing needs*. Maybe I ought not admit that online...

[@tods_workshop]

Grishy if things are in stock they get sent out within a couple of days usually. The post at the minute, especially the US,Canada and Australia is appalling so patience is the name of the game I’m afraid!

[@edwardlazell3157]

That's just fantastic. I love your work Tod.

[@seamusoluasigh9296]

I love your work Tod, bit of an amateur historian myself, you're research is always so well done you make me blush to use that title ha ha.

[@NateDeb2020]

Stupendous work and insight. I love it.

[@axistec]

Tod, you're not only a master blacksmith and an entertainer, you're also quite the artist. Lovely work on that dagger my friend.

[@chopsddy3]

“...a spanky dagger..” That’s great. It is a beautiful piece of work. And ,if anyone is concerned about the strength and durability of sheet bronze fashioned in this matter, it’s way stronger than you think. I certainly wouldn’t want to get a face full of it. One would wear the impression of that flower in one’s forehead for life, while the pommel wouldn’t be affected.

[@QuentinStephens]

That's a lovely piece of work.

[@ptonpc]

That is beautiful and the amount of work you put in to it is amazing.

[@Dennis-vh8tz]

Beautiful dagger.

[@chrisjohnson38]

Beautiful piece.

[@scousewillo62]

Stunning work of art.

[@theyarenthere]

Fascinating! More in depth videos, please 😎

[@GhostbustersXX13]

Beautiful Craftsmanship, thank you for the video.

[@darthbuzz1]

Excellent work there fancy one and because it is your interpretation it is truly a work of art

[@davidelkins9894]

Thats beautiful. Love your work.

[@markdal49]

Beautiful craftwork Tod. Nice one.

[@brijstaker]

Todd, awesome work!!! hell YEAH!!!!!!

[@haldyordan2316]

Cool workmanship 🙌🙌🙌

[@goreil2489]

Beautiful work sir

[@niclastname]

Beautiful craftsmanship, Tod! I wish I had the skill to make cool things like this.

[@GuitarsRockForever]

That's art. Beautiful work there.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks

[@jkr3008]

Holy crap, Tod This is amazing

[@TwentythreePER]

Your work is always impeccable. I'd love to learn to make things half as nice as you do. Beautiful dagger

[@adamrobbins2091]

You the man Todd!

[@tomthompson7400]

Be nice to have a series of videos on how it was made too , fine work.

[@AFCAWorldBodybuildingArchive]

Its quite interesting. The realism on drawn people in medieval pictures is as if a junkie on LSD drew them but when it comes to weapons the slightest details are shown. Pommel screws, bow horn nocks, twist directions on sword guards etc. Wth 😄

[@Seelenschmiede]

Has to do with depicting things with souls. It was a common view that when you depict people really close to their real look, sofor painting the real people, their soul can't go to heaven because it is a sin, the sin of pride or something like that. Then you have to atone for that sin. Was a crazy concept.

[@tommeakin1732]

@@Seelenschmiede Really? I've wondered about how art styles change over time, and the medieval depiction of "perspective" has always intrigued me; but I'm very wary of potentially bullshit justifications lol

[@Loromir17]

@@Seelenschmiede also, much more people believed in magic, and it was a common conception that you can curse or otherwise exploit someone by their face and/or name (also, their hair/nails, which is probably why roman priests had them securely hidden after cutting).

[@GeeBarone]

@@Seelenschmiede That's really not true at all. Funeral effigy carvings are specificslly very lifelike and individualistic to get the maximum realism, allowing people to pray for the soul of the dead more effectively.

[@Seelenschmiede]

@@GeeBarone it is true. After death, it doesn't matter anymore because the soul has gone to the high realms already. It is all about what you do in your lifetime. It was told me by historians and archeologists.

[@APV878]

excellent work

[@mace8873]

The craftsmanship is astonishing, as with any piece I've seen you make, and the considerations and the research that went into this is beyond most people - for what it is I think it is beautifully done. Personally, I prefer weapons with little to no decoration though, but that's just me, and it doesn't subtract anything from this dagger. There aren't many people like you around.;-)

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks; those are very kind words and well appreciated

[@mace8873]

@@tods_workshop Just giving praise where praise is due. ;-) And, one thing I really appreciate about you, is that even though you have at least a ton of bragging rights, you never seem to feel the need to brag about anything you do, modesty is a very appreciated virtue over here in DK. If you ever drop by Copenhagen, let me know in advance and the beers are on me.:-)

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and at Danish prices you are on!

[@gregtheredneck1715]

Beautiful work Tod.

[@saintends7302]

Great shirt. I really enjoy your videos.

[@ThomasHJ15]

Great design

[@mtgAzim]

Wonderful work Tod! There's something about the look of polished bronze that's just so pleasant. If only it were stronger, I'd love to see everything out of polished bronze. An all bronze rapier would look cool, but would obviously have to be a wallhanger.

[@wlewisiii]

That's a beautiful peice of work. I really need to get one from you. A nice middle class blade for an old soldier...

[@countmarkula1993]

Looks awesome!

[@falkel]

Beautiful inspiring work

[@reggiep75]

'Do you like my nice poems?' Geoffrey Chaucer announced as he held his dagger out to his 3 person audience and further added 'If you say no, it's the end of your days!' :-D

[@mzklucas]

Beautiful work!

[@professionalidiots101]

Quality work mate 👍👍👍

[@MatsJPB]

Gorgeous!

[@filmfan4]

I like the scallop shell, it’s a symbol of pilgrimage...very Chaucer! 😉

[@frankgaletzka8477]

Wow what a great work All the aspekts you bring together in a peace of Art So much Details in a great Perfektion I like it very much All the best Yours Frank

[@catsupchutney]

The Swanky Dagger - there's your title.

[@blackjack1230]

Thank you fo all your hard work i enjoy the amazing and great work all the best

[@chaoticreckless6909]

Can we get more videos like this? I really liked looking at the details and decorations of this dagger

[@lukasbocker6740]

Nice video! I pretty recently bought your Tod Cutler rondel dagger (the one with the twisted grip and the wooden spacers between the discs). And I just have to say that is in an exceptional piece of craftsmanship, especially when you look at the pretty reasonable price. Also tested it at a dummy and it performs really well.

[@samcoote9653]

God what a beautiful piece... I love it. People definitely had taste back then in weapons. Maybe not so much in clothing depending on what you look at haha

[@nathandunning7150]

Tod I would love to watch a full movie length making video of one of your classic daggers or swords or even the eating cooking knife sets and sheath's. That stuff is so interesting and would help tremendously beginner knife makers like myself haha. I think your work is amazing mate.

[@larsstrohmeier2320]

beautiful work, as always =D

[@andreweden9405]

Love the scallop motif on the sheath's locket for being on pilgrimage! Also, the "Two-In-One Upon A Ground" by Purcell is a beautiful, if somewhat anachronistic choice of music. That's more the early period of the smallsword(c. 1690)😁. Actually, as a recorder player, I'm more bothered that you found a version for two classical guitars, as Purcell did originally compose it for recorders!😀

[@joebartlett7888]

I was today years old when I found out that Tod’s surname isn’t Cutler. I always thought it was a weird way to introduce oneself...

[@markfergerson2145]

Beautiful dagger. You said the painting was done n the middle of the century after Chaucer's death. What are the odds the image was done reflecting the fashion of that time rather than maybe a half-century earlier? How rapidly did fashions change back then anyway? In any case I agree that he *could* have worn it even if it wasn't the style of the day- someone has to set styles, don;t they?

[@thalivenom4972]

fashions come from the top down, back then, too. so its quite possible that chauser was one of the early adopters

[@markfergerson2145]

@@daveh3997 Tod called it a painting, I went with it. Tell Tod.

[@markfergerson2145]

@@daveh3997 Then it may be a different image than the one Tod said was made in the middle of the century after Chaucer's death (1400 CE).

[@markfergerson2145]

@@daveh3997 Then TELL TOD.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Wow, that's a pretty thing!

[@calamusgladiofortior2814]

Interesting that the illustration shows Chaucer wearing his dagger exactly the same way the Shipman in the Canterbury Tales is described to be: “A daggere hangynge on a laas hadde he, Aboute his nekke, under his arm adoun. (A dagger hanging on a cord around his neck and tucked under his arm.)”

[@daveh3997]

The illustration Tod showed was not Chaucer. It was the Shipman from the Ellesmere Chaucer Manuscript in the Huntington Library

[@calamusgladiofortior2814]

Dave H I suspected as much, but didn’t know the specific manuscript.

[@daveh3997]

@@calamusgladiofortior2814 hdl.huntington.org/digital/collection/p15150coll7/id/2651 It is the same image--down to the smudge above the left hand. His copy was cropped and enlarged. I suspect Tod's client provided incomplete information. The original is in the Huntington Library which is about 380 miles from U C Berkeley. Perhaps they obtained a facsimile from Berkeley. Of course, it being an illustration from the Shipman's tale would explain the desired nautical theme.

[@karisvenner3892]

This dagger looks amazing. The handle looks more twisted (bottom-left to top-right) than octagonal on the artwork. It made me wonder though : Is it common for English fashion weaponry to use brass and organic material instead of iron (or low carbon steel) compared to continental weaponry ? To what extent could it be a consequence of the more humid weather of the British Isles as opposed to pure cultural differences ?

[@gordonlawrence1448]

To an extent they used soft bronze as well according to a historian friend of mine, but you just cant get it. You can only get Phosphor bronze which is a git to work with.

[@NevisYsbryd]

Yes and yes. While I do not know the exact rates, numerous items in what is now the UK tended towards less water-susceptible for things such as weapon hilts. One does not want their exposed hilt rusting away.

[@Oldtanktapper]

Is that scallop shell detail on the sheath a little reference to the Canterbury pilgrims? Lovely work and a great interpretation !

[@skywalkerneoblade]

Beautiful work. id wear it in public.

[@MagusHellwalker]

Wish I had seen your websites before. I have been buying my knives from the USA for the last couple of decades.

[@russmiddleton5486]

"...Taken some liberties..." its got RGB LEDs in the handle :-)

[@natural_20s]

Where?

[@lairdcummings9092]

And Bluetooth speakers.

[@SymbioteMullet]

And the blade is made of titanium

[@earthman4222]

Red dot sights.

[@lairdcummings9092]

Glock Magazines.

[@BluJean6692]

The sound effects art fun

[@Ghostselkie]

Nice dagger.

[@chadherbert18]

I very much want one of your Rondel Daggers! Gonna have to look over those websites again! 😂

[@blue_beepblue_beep6358]

I am making a variation of your 14 century Le long french named crossbow found in the lake. You showed how the anvil and wedge locks in steel bows. Could you show how bows with a hole in the stock are tied on?

[@Norkans5]

A lovely staby bit you got there. I have a question regarding scabbards. Were other materials used historically as scabbard covering aside from leather? Like textiles for example? And how common was it?

[@DontKeeptheFaith]

Guesswork or not, it looks amazing.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

It's a nice dagger, but wait, I need that t shirt.

[@tods_workshop]

Available on the ‘merch shelf’

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@tods_workshop yep, that plus the "fastest way to a man's heart". :)

[@dogmaticpyrrhonist543]

@@tods_workshop and now, hours later, I finished my order. A bit annoying they charge shipping on each item instead of a combined, says the Australian. Shipping fees are the bane of my existence. :)

[@Meevious]

Very nice. Ultimately it's more about what the client wants from the artwork than making a detailed and accurate copy of the weapon that's shown. I'd say that the pommel in the illumination is pretty clearly an ovoid shape with a button peen. The grip is also convex and stained and the chape is discrete if present at all. The guard appears to be a one-part metal disc. The overall dress, including the horse tack is fairly Spartan and subdued and probably represents Chaucer in the dress of a humble pilgrim, rather than in his natural costume as a wealthy magnate, hence the simple dagger that's represented. All that being the case, the dagger that you've made is way better than the one in the picture and seems more fitting for a real Chaucer in his non-pilgrim attire. It's not as though the image would have been drawn from life anyway, so your approach makes a lot more sense for the particular brief.

[@ClothesCat]

I was playing Battle Brothers when I watched this, and it uses the exact same sound effect as used at 1:43. I was mighty confused.

[@ZGADOW]

I’m curious about the spurs Chaucer is wearing on that portrait painting. I didn’t realize they had spurs like that in the medieval period. I associate star shaped spurs like those with American cowboys