Tod Cutler – 14th to 15th Century Italian Horn Baselard

The medieval Baselard dagger with its iconic “I” shaped hilt common in Europe and especially so in Italy and England. A practical design, the I shape couches and secures the hilt in the palm giving great contact to both sides of the hand for maximum control; it incidentally also makes disarmament fantastically difficult for an opponent. This baselard takes its design from ones seen in period artwork and on the stone effigies of Knights from the late 14th and early 15th centuries. It is recorded that Wat Tyler, leader of the Peasant’s Revolt in 1381 England had a baselard for his dagger.

A practical design, this replica Baselard is forged from a single solid piece of steel, with its grip scales of finely carved and smoothly polished bone being solidly brass riveted to the very thick tang. The blade is entirely rigid and thick with its strong diamond cross section, which in conjunction with its I shape hilt make it a much more capable blade in the thrust than it may at first appear and well capable of puncturing layers of thick cloth or the weakpoints in an armored defense. The blade retains plenty of width to make it an excellent cutter as well. An all-around practical dagger ready for any situation whether at home, town or on campaign.

The dagger is matched with a sheath crafted from high quality vegetable tanned leather and is double-lined for durability. A brass chape piece and cords for attaching to a belt complete it.