Tod talks knives

I don't just make films for You Tube you know!!! I also make reproductions of historical weapons as faithfully as I can to the original pieces in museums. I don't make the super fancy, or detailed, I just make honest, real items. The sort of items that you could buy at a London market 600 years ago; normal items for normal people.
I make loads of crossbows, sword scabbards, maces, even candle sticks, pretty much anything, but I love making knives and it is just coming to the summer show season, so I have been busy and so this seemed like the perfect occasion to 'Talk Knives'.
This NOT a a 20 minute showcase of my work, it is a 20 film talking all about these knives and their place in history that just happens to use my work for the talking points. I hope you enjoy it.
For commissions and custom work todsworkshop.com
For budget medieval weaponry of fantastic accuracy and value todcutler.com
For merch todsworkshop.c...
For those who enjoyed Arrows vs Armour todtodeschini.com

[@QuantumHistorian]

"Look at the decorative rivets on those balls" is not a sentence I was expecting to hear today.

[@tlsgrz6194]

I‘m sorry you live a life where riveted balls are not an everyday occurrence ^^

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

@@tlsgrz6194 why are you gae?

[@henninghesse9910]

Yeah, and since the original is from Rothenburg Museum it´s very likeley not historical at all but more a copy of a 19th cent fake.

[@texasbeast239]

Genital warts on a weapon

[@buffewo6386]

You obviously have never been in an ER in a university town these days.

[@FenkenK]

could listen to Tod talk about his craft for hours on end, love it, really want to buy a custom dagger like that at some point

[@texasbeast239]

I know, right? I wanted him to discuss and show all 50 knives on that table.

[@DerrillGuilbert]

@@texasbeast239 Thirded.

[@tods_workshop]

I love talking too, but there has to a limit

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

'functional' knives are never ugly. They have a beauty which derives from their usefulness and practicality!

[@COLDMKULTRA]

I have Tod's Wallace Rondel Dagger, Scottish Dirk, and Medieval eating set ... The build quality and aesthetics of these items is absolutely superb ... very highly recommended!

[@SaszaDerRoyt]

I have one of his bollock daggers and it's a lovely piece, beautifully made and sturdy, seconding your recommendation!

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks guys

[@michaeltempsch5282]

"300% knife” starting out good...😀

[@davidbooth508]

I love these dagger stories. Too short for me. Could have gone through the whole collection you had there. I want more.

[@lukashey6366]

As a German, on 8:10, "Landsknecht" translates more or less to 'land-servant', which highlights their profession as sellswords and mercenaries. Thanks for your great content and your craftsmanship. Continuousily adding to my little dagger collection with awesome pieces of yours :).

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks

[@JainZar1]

@@tods_workshop Also, the second pronunciation, with the prominent "k", is correct.

[@Hiltok]

@@JainZar1 I learned that from Monty Python's Holy Grail years ago 😛

[@Sun8423]

"i don't want to talk about all knives" made me a little bit sad... Please Tod do an five hour video talking about the rest of them 😎 best wishes to you and your team from germany, keep on doing your kind of art

[@DerrillGuilbert]

Livestream! Let us (or I guess at least y'all patrons) ask questions!

[@nathanielwilcox4947]

Triangular bayonets and knives, as far as my understanding goes, are not banned by either the Geneva Convention or the Hauge Convention. Also, triangular stab wounds can be sewn up.

[@QuantumHistorian]

I believe those conventions ban things that cause "unnecessary suffering" rather than those that are hard to treat medically.

[@TheUncleRuckus]

@@QuantumHistorian Serrated Bayonets were the only blades banned. Triangular bayonets and knives are still legal under the articles of war.

[@nirfz]

The hague convention (or Haager Landkriegsordnung) defines the "rules" for land warfare. And it has a paragraphe in it that says exactely what QuantumHistorian mentioned. Things that cause unnecessary suffering and pain are not to be used. That leaves a lot of room for interpretation. But even sawblade bayonets were never banned. People think they were, but there is no mention of that. The geneva convention is about the treatment of pows and refugees. I can recommend at least the hague convention as an interesting read. (I read both documents years ago out of interest due to such a discussion and there are strange and surprising things in them. For example: if you are an officer and POW the army holding you prisoner is to pay you your actual salary during imprisonment.)

[@F1ghteR41]

It is hard for me to believe that one can read the Hague Convention in its original spirit as prohibiting triangular blades, because the Hague Conference where it was signed was in no small part arranged by the Russian emperor, and Russia at that time was an active user of both triangular bayonets and lance heads.

[@mrdarren1045]

@@nirfz I'd be very surprised if any country ever paid the wages of the prisoners they took, and if this was heavily enforced I can see armies taking a lot less prisoners. It doesn't seem to be a law that incentivises taking prisoners, so I don't know what they were thinking when drafting that, if that is indeed the case

[@dbKneecapped]

There's a diary of a doctor during the American Civil War that talks about wounds inflicted by triangular bayonets, he mentions not really having much of a trouble treating the wounds and the people that were wounded did return to service once they've recovered.

[@steemlenn8797]

That's strange because I read something else by a modern army doctor. Did they not stitch the wounds in the Civil war? Because that was the hard thing, you can stitch 2 things together, but 3 always leaves a hole and also a point where the wound open up when the person moves.

[@MGX93dot]

@@steemlenn8797 cauterise it

[@axistec]

This video was too short. I could sit here all day listening to you Tod, talking and showing your beautiful knives. Being a knife guy myself and lover of history, I would buy all that table if I had the funds.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it

[@QuantumHistorian]

I wonder if a good analogy for the role of daggers then is like watches now. Sure, they have a practical function, but a cheap one and a fancy one will fulfil that function just as well. Showing off status, taste, and fashion is their real use.

[@tods_workshop]

I think you have probably nailed it

[@rileyernst9086]

When your company is in the service of an English Lord and he keeps mistakenly calling you Land Snails 🐌...

[@tods_workshop]

I spent a month in Brazil and they called me 'Todger' all month and I didn't have the heart to tell them (until the last day) that it is UK slang for penis

[@jasondearborn2349]

Always love when he does these, when I find the right Todd Cutler knife it will be the highlight of my collection. Also, first comment!

[@vasilyd8578]

I would love to see more videos like this about knives with historical origins from a craftsman's perspective.

[@Incandescentiron]

Such beautiful work. I was a bit disappointed you didn't go through the rest of the daggers on the table. I never get tired of seeing your work.

[@HabarudoD]

Listening to an extended, glorified advertisement has never been this educative and informative. I can't wait for the next one!

[@mansfieldtime]

You should do a video your scabbards and sheaths next. They go with the blade and yet can be customized as well. So talented.

[@BobT36]

The 14thC quillon dagger is gorgeously simple. It's such a "dagger" dagger. Will certainly be buying one at some point. :)

[@hiigara2085]

The skill you have to reproduce so many styles is bloody impressive

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you

[@ericmitchell985]

I mean, honestly, if you made another video about the knives you didn't talk about in this one, I'd watch that one too. Love listening to you talk about pointy things!

[@GCCRACER]

That 3rd Century Syrian/Roman dagger is super interesting. Unless I'm mistaken, the blade shape really matches the 500-year later arriving broken-back Seax in the Norse regions.

[@adminaccount5274]

Actually I would say not. This slightly curvy ‘sica’ type blade is quite eastern in origins and the broken back is equally unique to Europe

[@squatch2461]

🍻Thanks, and please do more on German hunting knives/swords, etc. Always been especially curious how they used hunting swords. Anything to do with hunting would be great. Thanks

[@disnagburnazog9552]

Magnetic. That's the stuff, the history and when and why and your love for the stuff

[@firstnamelastname5596]

I love eating sets. Something about having a personal knife and “fork” with the awl is just so cool to me. We tend to take cutlery like that for granted, as an item you buy by the dozen

[@dan_taninecz_geopol]

The handle made from Roman wharf piling... Just amazing.

[@photonwerewolf9740]

Will there be a part two or a returning series? Quite an inventory you've got and hearing the finer details is absolutely wonderful

[@madshaystrup632]

I used the "it's 300% knife" quote to explain a magic weapon to one of my D&D players.. It resonated 👍

[@pauln6917]

OMG......... that collection has to be a life sentence without parole in the U.K. Good luck, sir!

[@ryanjmay]

Could listen to you talk about these for hours, I love your enthusiasm of not only historical accuracy but investigating into function as well. Gorgeous pieces and a really enjoyable film Tod.

[@tods_workshop]

Thanks and glad you enjoyed it

[@jellekastelein7316]

I like that you made a point with the bollock dagger that the size is less important than what you do with your thrusting implement. It helps, somehow.

[@samziegler4957]

Tod, have you tested the hardness of the accessory awl? If it's typically higher hardness, it would make sense as a hone. Perfect companion to any blade.

[@peterleffler2062]

I was thinking this too.

[@tods_workshop]

Not possible, but yes it could be, but I have been pondering how effective a non-sharp/toothed steel would be

[@peterleffler2062]

@@tods_workshop sharpening/honing is a can of worms with fiercely defended opinions on all sides. The best understanding I have of what a sharpening steel is intended to do is that it 'dresses' and re-straightens the edge (except in the contextually irrelevant case of a diamond hone/steel which I know from experience definitely removes steel) during intervals between sharpening with abrasives (stones/wheels etc).

[@FirstoftheAbyss92]

Small correction, landsknecht wouldn't translate into land's knight. knecht translates into servant in the Dutch and German language. I am aware of at least two different origins for the word landsknecht (both sound reasonable to me personally). The first would be land's knecht. As in land's servant. The second is Lans' knecht as in lance (medieval military unit)'s servant. (in the same sense that sergeant came from servant)

[@QuantumHistorian]

Is _knecht_ etymologically related to _knave_ then rather than _knight_ ?

[@AliothAncalagon]

@@QuantumHistorian Actually, etymologists indeed seem rather sure that knight and knecht have similar backgrounds. Both the Old English "cniht" and the Old Middle high German "kneht" apparently meant basically the same. A servant, attendant or vassal of someone more important. From there both terms went their own way which resulted in the German language inventing another term for the knight, because the "Knecht" didn't have much to do with it anymore. So when the "Landsknechte" actually came up, it seems that it wasn't really THAT related anymore to the "knight".

[@Glimmlampe1982]

​@@QuantumHistorianno, I think the word knight derives from Knecht, as in servant. Maybe as in follower. Which is quite different to other similar titles in Europe. The German, the french, Italian and Spanish at least drive the name from the word for rider. Not sure why

[@FirstoftheAbyss92]

@@QuantumHistorian Knave and knecht both have the same meaning; male servant. Furthermore they contain some suspiciously similar sounds. So I think it is safe to say that they are indeed related. That said, knecht never acquired the derogatory undertone which knave would attain. About knight and knecht, I'll leave that answer to Alioth Ancalagon as they seem to know more about the subject than I do.

[@gedmerrilin9010]

the land snail thing makes me wonder if the prevalence of snails specifically doing knightly stuff in illuminated manuscripts might be a pun

[@titanscerw]

I could not resist so I am now proud owner of the oldest meme weapon still in production Bollock Dagger of TodCutler Line! I love everything about that brutal and funny piece

[@proteusaugustus]

I think the awl is primarily to field repair belt for scabbard or other leather work like horse reins etc that may break.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

As far as I know, Tod, it's maybe not 'triangular' bladed knives per se but triangular bladed knives where the profile twists along its length which is the inspiration for this urban legend. Specific recurrence of the apparently infamous jagdkommando knife is high among responses. They probably think katanas can cleave the Sun in twain as well.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

To elaborate: When in combat and needing the use of a bladed weapon to defend or attack, the expectation is one of finality. Someone's going to die, and hopefully the one that isn't you. Whether the blade's straight or not, training in effective use of a blade must be presumed, so you'd be expecting arteries to be targeted with a straight blade, or multiple penetrations of the torso and down behind the clavicle to the soft tissue beneath. The only thing one might assume would be a potentially slightly slower death, causing unnecessary trauma and discomfort TO SOMEONEYOU'RE TYING TO KILL FFS!! It just feels preposterous to me. Yes, a spiral blade would be awkward for any surgeon to sew up, but it'd be pretty damn pointless sewing up a dead person.

[@steemlenn8797]

I have no personal experince but I read on that topic that indeed a trinangular wound is nearly impossible to sew close. That does not necessarily mean the guy will die, but healing will be a lot harder and there is a higher risk of long term damage.

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

@@steemlenn8797 'traditional' triangular blades generally only have one sharp edge. The jagdkommando knife looks more like three single twisted blades surrounding an inner core. This element makes the wound more akin to three individual blades incising along a helical path, which compounds the difficulty in comparison to a regular wedge shaped blade.

[@ABaumstumpf]

@@steemlenn8797 "but I read on that topic that indeed a trinangular wound is nearly impossible to sew close" Actual medical records from wars say otherwise-

[@mrdarren1045]

You mean they can't?

[@johnladuke6475]

"These are beautiful knives and I sell them. Thanks for coming to my Tod Talk."

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

Omg.... They are all soooo very different... WOW.. I want soooo many of them sooo badly... They are sooo beautiful..

[@samualaddams705]

When the video started I was reminded of the quote That man has more blades then a field of grass

[@Leftyotism]

That Swiss-German Baselard really appeals to me!

[@stazz316]

Tod i love listening to you and while i cant support you by buying your knives since im broke as shit, ill always add at least one view to your count. Youre the perfect combo of passion and knowledge. Thanks for doing these, its fascinating.

[@cam-inf-4w5]

I adore the caged sheath

[@Kremit_the_Forg]

Regarding the triangular blade: This is a myth. Yes, the Hague Land Warfare Convention (Haager Landkriegsordnung) prohibits the signed nations from using "weapons that cause unnessescary harm" against other combatants (Sidenote: the Geneva Conventions regulates the interaction between combatants and non-combatants). But: nowhere does it say "triangular blades". And they would be very specific about those things because they do it with other instruments, like flamethrowers or munition that can't be detected via x-ray. "Chris the redcoat" has a pretty good video about this, even with written records from doctors in the american civil war era which where confronted with wounds caused by triangular bayonets. Bottom line is: they where not more difficult to stitch up, they are not "deadlyer" they are just sturdyer than a flat blade and easy to produce in mass.

[@CDKohmy]

I've recently fallen in love with long bushcraft grade blades in the bolluck, (Frankish) seax, (Brughal) messer, and dirk styles. By long, I mean 18 inch blade or longer.

[@nudl3Zz]

Ted Talks are about science stuff and Tod Talks are about knives 😀

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate]

By watching these types of videos I've learned I love medieval knives. Tod's works are just impecable.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Tod . 🐺

[@blue_beephang-glider5417]

Good to see Tod. Double edged knifes are illegal in Australia so, I have not bothered to look at your website. I will now 🙂👍

[@Sirsethtaggart3505]

I could geek out on knives for hours. Fantastic.

[@Trav_Can]

What a fun show and tell!

[@Glimmlampe1982]

About the fork not used for eating. As far as I understand it, medieval food was different to what is mostly portraits in movies and even modern documentaries. More similar to Chinese or middle eastern food. Like a main filler (rice for Chinese, couscous for middle east and something like porridge for medieval) and several additional sauces and meats. And, like with Chinese food, it comes pre cut so you normally don't have to cut it. (Oversimplified obviously)

[@beledra4051]

I would love a video of the complet process of making one of those knives, from design (or the historic piece they resembles), chosing the iron/steel, the forge... everything... that would be awesome

[@bombfog1]

I have one of your Dura Europas Roman Siccae and it’s the center piece of my collection. I have multiple swords from Albion in my display case but it’s the Roman Sicca and it’s beautiful bronze and leather sheath that attracts people’s attention. People especially love it when I tell them whence the wooden grip originates.

[@tods_workshop]

Good to hear. I think these two I have now will be the last with Roman oak as it has now all gone

[@jamesclark6427]

So nothing has really changed. People have always chosen weapons based on how cool they are! I have a particular love of switchblades, which thankfully just became legal to carry this year in Pennsylvania. Especially the traditional Italian stiletto switchblade. It's not the world's most practical knife, though when it's made well it's reasonably serviceable for daily use. But it's just so cool and stylish. There's nothing like that sinister "snick" as the blade fires. Incredibly satisfying. I cannot resist them... 😛

[@stephenleach3110]

A fascinating history of daggers. Thank you sir.

[@tods_workshop]

A pleasure

[@RufusEggers]

The first one ist just fantastic!

[@rinnsbebelindegrombe]

You are one of the greatest!

[@7thangelad586]

Beautiful collection!

[@MrDowntemp0]

Well now I need to see you craft a historically accurate mechanical hand. Maybe collaborate with Ian Davis? That'd be fun!

[@tods_workshop]

I have been waiting for a TV company to come and sponsor a show. I would love too make one

[@brandonablack]

@@tods_workshop Have you been in contact with anyone in particular? I could see Netflix easily sponsoring your show.

[@jessecunningham9924]

I really enjoyed this video. Tod can you make more of these? I love seeing the variety and all the stories that go with them. Needless to see, I was drooling and moaning with pleasure the whole time 😁

[@isaaco5679]

I bought a small cooks knife set a couple years ago and have been very happy with it. Maybe someday I will use them for camping.

[@captain_context9991]

Love the big messer. Id have that. Would fit my collection.

[@davideddy8557]

The Reaver/Alehouse dagger is my favorite of the silly daggers

[@100dfrost]

Excellent work and video. I use your expertise in theses matters in my TTRPG games. Thank-you.

[@bernatbabcsan8248]

The passion that U manifest is beautiful!

[@Leftyotism]

Goddamn, I really like a good black oak handle.

[@BlackApokalypsika]

this feels like a PSA you have to watch before visiting London

[@brothergregorius9385]

Love that you corrected your german. So many people on youtube that just butcher that language. It’s refreshing. Thank you I as a german feel appreciated. :)

[@tods_workshop]

I still butcher it, but at least I am aware and trying to do something about it

[@aminuddinazaharuddin4442]

Hey there Tod. I admire your enthusiasm towards your craft and history. Always very informative. Hopefully someday i might own some of your daggers or swords. Thanks Tod

[@zenhydra]

love...as always

[@lukeorlando4814]

When the video doesn’t need a sponsor as the whole video is an Advertisement. Beautiful work sir

[@tods_workshop]

Well it sort of is and isn't, but it did allow me to talk knives and history

[@lukeorlando4814]

@@tods_workshop in any case it was a good watch and I thank you

[@carterwalters5915]

We want you to keep prattling on tod!

[@danstotland6386]

Good show! Great video. Thanks.

[@simonphoenix3789]

The whole thing about triangular wounds being more difficult to stitch doesn't make a bit of sense to me. Why would they be more difficult? We already use bullets that cause round wounds, and we don't seem to have much trouble with those. Its only serrated blades that were banned I think.

[@g4gaming809]

Baltic States mentioned!! Even two times!!! I must be dreaming…

[@rahbee6266]

Me, in the modern world, who is crazy into edc and pocket knives. And I still use an awl for more stuff than literally any tool I own

[@mrtaffspoon]

Some gorgeous looking pieces there Tod. Love em ❤

[@tods_workshop]

Thank you kindly

[@spikemcnock8310]

Love them all, I could watched this even if it was an hour long. Top marks.

[@gameragodzilla]

Always had a fascination with medieval knives and daggers, and how they compared and contrasted to American knives I'm more familiar with like Bowie knives or even the Rambo-style survival knives that were all the rage back in the 80's.

[@sirwi11iam]

My dad has a Rambo knife from the 80s 😂

[@gameragodzilla]

@@sirwi11iam I own a Rambo 2 knife from the Jimmy Lile company made by Vaughn Neeley, and a production level Mk. 9 knife from Pohl Force. Both are awesome, though the former is completely handcrafted and is an amazing work of art (and also expensive). So I am very curious how designs for knives are similar or different over the centuries and for different cultures.

[@Fray-Bentos]

13:45 The Baselard link between England and Italy at that time may well have been the wool trade. Especially exporting wool from England to cities like Florence for their use in textiles. This would naturally mean more contact and a swapping of ideas and forms for weaponry, maybe even bringing them back on the return voyage and then liking and copying the style from there forward.

[@tods_workshop]

Nice thought - thanks

[@FaceEatingOwl]

Fascinating, thanks, Tod. You could have prattled on for an hour and I'd have still been engaged. If you could do this with other weapons too, then please do 👌 Cheers.

[@JC-Denton]

Loved the German - posh!!! - introduction. Thanks, Tod.

[@zulphur]

im saving up to one of those amazing knives :-)

[@molochi]

Most weapons laws, military or civil, are based more on emotional response to perceived "brutality" imo. Triangular wounds are supposed to bleed more freely and in greater volume and are supposed to not clot as easily. Which is why they are considered more humane and preferred for hunting arrows. The animal loses consciousness faster due to increased blood loss and is easier to track (and finish if necessary). However the wound itself stitches up just fine, or at least with no more difficulty than a "legal" fmj bullet wound. Nevermind that triangular cross sectioned daggers don't usually have 3 cutting edges, unless that cross section is an equilateral design, and then its less likely to saw around its wound channel during a stab than a flatter more acute blade.

[@DjDolHaus86]

I agree that comfort in use might not be a massive factor but comfort in carrying might be more important. I've had to ditch a couple of cool looking knives over the year because the handle dug into my waist

[@tods_workshop]

Good point, but mostly daggers were hung from a cord so not so much of an issue

[@DjDolHaus86]

@@tods_workshop ahh ok, thanks for the information

[@pjccwest]

Lovely stuff! Looking forward to getting a scian.

[@_malprivate2543]

Well, time to check my budget for more stuff from Tod...

[@ciaheadmechanic0809]

Your talk of wearing knives and daggers unfortunately reminded me of how you demonstrated wearing the bollock knife with the watch coat in extra-vulgar fashion. Beautifully-crafted and hilarious.

[@blah7956]

I have his straight quillon dagger and 3 piece eating set (which I use regularly!), all top quality stuff!

[@keptleroymg6877]

Been waiting for another one

[@btinsley785]

I really enjoyed this one.

[@theghosthero6173]

Great video. Would love to see you taking on the challenge of an ear dagger. I don't see many people selling them, a pity.

[@tods_workshop]

Ear daggers are time consuming, but not especially hard and yes it is about time I made another

[@wrxs1781]

Beautiful work Todd.

[@ponod]

3:33, I think that the Awl in a fighting dagger such as that one would also be useful for adjusting the points on your harness. If a pointing location needed to move in a pinch, just take out the awl and poke a hole in your arming doublet!

[@sirwi11iam]

Did not know about the mechanical hands! Fascinating! Got to love German engineering. Very forward thinking.

[@tods_workshop]

The Germans were up to some amazing stuff in the medieval period

[@steammachine3061]

You had me at bollock dagger

[@sigutjo]

Fantastic video Tod. Hope you make another one talking about the rest on the table.

[@Unethrorpe]

I-shape baselards are so beautiful to me. The hilt on that one is really nice!

[@tods_workshop]

I love baselards too - thanks

[@the_Maenad]

Came for the history, stayed for the triple entendres. And the trebuchet. Always

[@AngelsArmour]

A lot of pretty knives 🤩