Late Roman model

[aitor iriarte]

Lucius,<br>
I've got that pic somewhere and I'll finally find it or take a new one!<br>
The blade is even more peculiar in shape than the sheath.<br>
Vaguely similar late knives appear all through the Western part of the Empire up to the Rhine limes. Notwithstanding, that particular kind of knife seems to be exclusively Spanish, specially the ornate sheath.<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Thanks Aitor,<br>
I'd love to see it, when you can manage to post it, but no need to hurry! I asked this question about your knife a few minutes ago in the Reenactment and reconstruction area, sorry about that! I wasn't aware that you had answered me here when I posted it. I don't want you to think I'm being pushy! Sorry again! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

You're not being pushy, I use to be no less 'pushy' than you are. That thing is called 'enthusiasm' and it is a precious, scarce and short-lived item in our bored 'civilization'!<br>
About British soldiers, well, if you've read our paper on the Iruña military equipment, you've surely noticed that some British soldiers were probably transferred to our city during the chaotic civil wars of the first quarter of the Fifth century. Maybe they never returned to Britain but they could have worn the Simancas type knife while being here...<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Lucius,<br>
I've taken the pics of my Simancas knife this week-end.<br>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tribunus/Simancas.jpg" style="border:0;"/><br>
Odd, isn't it?<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=aitoririarte>Aitor Iriarte</A> at: 8/23/04 9:31 am<br></i>

[Uwe Bahr]

Marvellous piece and picture Aitor,<br>
<br>
and very practically, You can even use the blade as bottle opener<br>
<br>
Uwe <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=uwebahr>Uwe Bahr</A> at: 8/23/04 10:44 am<br></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Well, I suppose that the 'peak' should be a little more sharp to work as a proper beer bottle opener (fortunately, somebody invented the cans! )<br>
Thanks, anyway, for the praise, Uwe!<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Hi Aitor!<br>
Forgive me for not responding sooner, I am just seeing this. What a BEAUTIFUL knife! I don't think I have ever seen one as pretty as that...your friend did an outstanding job, and was quite an accomplished artisan. Do you know whether the tang goes all the way through the handle, and whether or not wood or bone was ever used for the handles of such a knife? I may have to make up some "tall tale" now about how Lucius served a while in Spain and brought home a wonderful blade like that... <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

And besides, the Hispana Legions (particularly the IX) have always been my favorite, anyway! (as for the early legions, I mean.) <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Hi Lucius,<br>
Yes, the tang goes all the way through the handle. That is one of the most outstanding workmanship features in my knife but it is seldomly noticed. My friend Plácido was a nice person and a superb armourer. I've many times regretted not having had enough time and money as to have ordered more items from him<br>
Well, the show must go on! Not all the handles were metal, some Simancas knives have been found with bare tangs, meaning decomposed wooden handles. No bonen ones have turned out, up till now.<br>
You can tell some interesting story about how your unit was removed from Britain to fight for the usurper Constantius against Honorius in northern Spain. The best part in the tale would be to expalin how did you managed to escape and return to Britain just to find that Honorius had decided that the Empire had officially 'withdrawn' from there...<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Hi Aitor,<br>
Hmmmm...that just might work! Sounds like a good plan! Do you know what form a wooden handle might have been on these knives? I assume it wouldn't have been quite as ornate as your brass one... <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

A really difficult question to answer, Lucius, since the wooden handles have utterly disappeared. I'll try to have a look on the publised Simancas knives in the following days and try to find something for you!<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p200.ezboard.com/bromanarmytalk.showUserPublicProfile?gid=aitoririarte>Aitor Iriarte</A> at: 8/25/04 8:53 am<br></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Ok Aitor. Thanks very much! <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Welcome!<br>
BTW, I realize now that we've been posting 'Reenactment & Recosntruction' at 'Gaming & Modelling' for a long while!<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>

[Lucius Aurelius Metellus]

Yes, you are right about that, Aitor. Do you think we should move the topic to its proper location? <p>Lucius Aurelius Metellus, miles gregarius, Secunda Brittanica</p><i></i>

[aitor iriarte]

Let's leave that for the mods'!<br>
<br>
Aitor <p></p><i></i>