A Dwarven Knife? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Groin Redbeard · 09-25-2008, 12:27 PM

Angrist immediately pops into my head when I think about dwarf knives (pity Tolkien never elaborated on the subject

), and I like your idea of dwarves liking angles more than curves, we can definitely see this in their architecture accomplishments. The second to last picture that you have there reminds me of something a dwarf would use: something that can do multiple tasks.

I'll look deeper into this and see what I can find.

Lalwendë · 09-25-2008, 04:16 PM

I'd actually think of a Dwarf owning the most practical knife possible. No fancy shapes, just the best shape imaginable for all tasks. They are master crafts...errr...dwarves (can't call them craftsmen, can I?

) and I would think as a result they would automatically carry the best possible knives, whatever the shape. The angularity I think would come in with regard to etching and designs. I can imagine runes being especially popular, or some of the more angular knotwork designs of Celtic/Germanic/Nordic artists.

Andsigil · 10-02-2008, 01:17 PM

I want to say thank you for the replies I've gotten so far. I'm coming up on some time off and will start to get some concepts sketched out on paper.

If anyone has more ideas on what a Dwarven knife would look like, please let me know here. Pictures are always welcome.

Andsigil · 10-04-2008, 01:19 PM

Well, I sketched out some initial designs last night and this afternoon.

#1 Gimli Axe Knife is a knife version of the walking axe that Gimli used in the film:

#2 Hatchet Knife is as close as I could get to a knife-hybrid hatchet that doesn't seem too much like one or the other.

#3 Dwarven Bowie seemed like plain enough, no-nonsense design

#4 Mountain Seax - I had a lot of suggestions for a seax design. I figured something dwarven would be a bit on the robust side, so this design calls for a blade 2" to 2.5" wide

#5 Goblin Chopper - while I was initially less than enthused about tanto points, this kind of design might actually work.

#6 Dwarven Recurve - this started out as a T.B. Tracker design, but I didn't like it, so I modified it into a recurve. I'm not sure about this one.

#7 Spelunk Fighter - I got suggestions for a leuku design, too. Like the seax, I thought a dwarven version would be fairly robust, hence the wide blade.

#8 - Miner's Companion - I had a suggestion for a utility (non-fighter) knife, that uses a chisel point and grind (for prying stones & gems) and has a hammer pommel (for driving pitons). I also decided to add a saw blade and rope cutter on the spine.

************************

Now, a lot of these accessories can be mixed around:

Handle: I've kept to an octagonal handle design, however some use a straight handle with flared ends and some use a slightly curved octagonal handle. I could put either kind of handle on any of these blades.

Accents: I showed one blade with runes, another with a geometric design, and another with an engraving of the hammer and anvil design which Tolkien drew on the Moria Gate. I could put any of these, or something different, on any of the blade designs.

Rope Cutter: Could be added to any design

Saw Blade: Ditto

*************************

So, now that I have some designs sketched, what design or combination of designs might work?

Any other modification suggestions- handle, hilt, pommel, blade, etc?

Any other designs different from what I've already drawn?

Andsigil · 10-06-2008, 04:27 AM

*Bump* to see if anyone has any ideas.

Another reference to a Dwarven knife which I had forgotten: Azaghal gutted Glaurung with a knife.

Unlike Telchar and Angrist, Azaghal's example seems to be one of a knife made by dwarves for dwarves.

09-25-2008, 12:27 PM	#1
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	Angrist immediately pops into my head when I think about dwarf knives (pity Tolkien never elaborated on the subject), and I like your idea of dwarves liking angles more than curves, we can definitely see this in their architecture accomplishments. The second to last picture that you have there reminds me of something a dwarf would use: something that can do multiple tasks. I'll look deeper into this and see what I can find. __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

09-25-2008, 04:16 PM	#2
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	I'd actually think of a Dwarf owning the most practical knife possible. No fancy shapes, just the best shape imaginable for all tasks. They are master crafts...errr...dwarves (can't call them craftsmen, can I? ) and I would think as a result they would automatically carry the best possible knives, whatever the shape. The angularity I think would come in with regard to etching and designs. I can imagine runes being especially popular, or some of the more angular knotwork designs of Celtic/Germanic/Nordic artists. __________________ Gordon's alive!

10-02-2008, 01:17 PM	#3
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	I want to say thank you for the replies I've gotten so far. I'm coming up on some time off and will start to get some concepts sketched out on paper. If anyone has more ideas on what a Dwarven knife would look like, please let me know here. Pictures are always welcome. __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.

10-04-2008, 01:19 PM	#4
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	Well, I sketched out some initial designs last night and this afternoon. #1 Gimli Axe Knife is a knife version of the walking axe that Gimli used in the film: #2 Hatchet Knife is as close as I could get to a knife-hybrid hatchet that doesn't seem too much like one or the other. #3 Dwarven Bowie seemed like plain enough, no-nonsense design #4 Mountain Seax - I had a lot of suggestions for a seax design. I figured something dwarven would be a bit on the robust side, so this design calls for a blade 2" to 2.5" wide #5 Goblin Chopper - while I was initially less than enthused about tanto points, this kind of design might actually work. #6 Dwarven Recurve - this started out as a T.B. Tracker design, but I didn't like it, so I modified it into a recurve. I'm not sure about this one. #7 Spelunk Fighter - I got suggestions for a leuku design, too. Like the seax, I thought a dwarven version would be fairly robust, hence the wide blade. #8 - Miner's Companion - I had a suggestion for a utility (non-fighter) knife, that uses a chisel point and grind (for prying stones & gems) and has a hammer pommel (for driving pitons). I also decided to add a saw blade and rope cutter on the spine. ********************** Now, a lot of these accessories can be mixed around: Handle: I've kept to an octagonal handle design, however some use a straight handle with flared ends and some use a slightly curved octagonal handle. I could put either kind of handle on any of these blades. Accents: I showed one blade with runes, another with a geometric design, and another with an engraving of the hammer and anvil design which Tolkien drew on the Moria Gate. I could put any of these, or something different, on any of the blade designs. Rope Cutter: Could be added to any design Saw Blade: Ditto *********************** So, now that I have some designs sketched, what design or combination of designs might work? Any other modification suggestions- handle, hilt, pommel, blade, etc? Any other designs different from what I've already drawn? __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness.

10-06-2008, 04:27 AM	#5
Andsigil Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Deepest Forges of Ered Luin Posts: 733	Bump to see if anyone has any ideas. Another reference to a Dwarven knife which I had forgotten: Azaghal gutted Glaurung with a knife. Unlike Telchar and Angrist, Azaghal's example seems to be one of a knife made by dwarves for dwarves. __________________ Even as fog continues to lie in the valleys, so does ancient sin cling to the low places, the depression in the world consciousness. Last edited by Andsigil; 10-09-2008 at 02:17 PM.