How to id a European kaskara blade?

Iain · 21st January 2012, 11:45 PM

Thanks for the continued insights Jim and Ed.

I think Jim's idea is a good one, it certainly seems like decent steel, but has the absolute minimum of finishing, this is a strange contrast with the well defined and detailed stamp but would seem to fit in with other roughly finished trade blades.

As Jim suggested, perhaps the wasp or hornet was seen as a plausible addition to a pantheon of trade blades that already included the fly and bee.

A big thank you to Jim for digging through your notes and references. I really appreciate it. On the one hand I love these little mysteries because it adds personal value to the piece, having something a little odd and unique, on the other hand it's frustrating not being able to verify what it is exactly!

All the best,

Iain

21st January 2012, 11:45 PM	#31
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Thanks for the continued insights Jim and Ed. I think Jim's idea is a good one, it certainly seems like decent steel, but has the absolute minimum of finishing, this is a strange contrast with the well defined and detailed stamp but would seem to fit in with other roughly finished trade blades. As Jim suggested, perhaps the wasp or hornet was seen as a plausible addition to a pantheon of trade blades that already included the fly and bee. A big thank you to Jim for digging through your notes and references. I really appreciate it. On the one hand I love these little mysteries because it adds personal value to the piece, having something a little odd and unique, on the other hand it's frustrating not being able to verify what it is exactly! All the best, Iain