Ok, project itch is back...I dusted off the dirk project recently, and with recent trials with the targe, I have come upon a historical question...


Were there any provisions for a lanyard on the dirk handle itself, in any era? For, say, retaining the weapon in a fight? Where I have curt the brow tine from the handle, I plan to mount a copper plate, and was thinking this may be an ideal spot for a low profile ring to attach what would be the equivalant of wrist lanyard...I hav decided not to do a loop on the pommel nut, given I am peining the tang at that point.

I have seen "keepers" on the by-pieces of later dirks, but did not know if this would have been a feature on the main dirk. I am using roe deer antlers for my by-piece handles, and since I have a skull piece still attached to the crown, I will probably be carving a feature that will make this possible without damaging overall aesthetics.

Another question-I came across a dirk with a honing steel (NOT a sharpening steel), with a date of around 1820...How early were honing steels in existance? I have seen trouses from Germany with them, but not sure on dates...Given that it is a "could have been" late 17th century piece, I wanted to do my by fork/knife/spoon/ and possibly a honing steel side by side in pairs on the scabbard front...

Any information is appreciated!