Dr Fabrice Cognot, Phd, Bladesmith Page

Hello there

Three important things:

- I shall proceed with the updating of my prices this Sunday hopefully. Which means that you still have until this update to purchase stuff at their current pricing.
This raise - for a raise it will be - will not affect current commission work, but will impact future projects.

- From now on there is an absolute no refund policy on commission work and custom orders, effective as soon as work has started on the project, or materials/supplies have been ordered for the project, or specific tools have been acquired or made for the project. This in compliance with French law.

- Unless you make it really worth it, I will no longer accept commission work with deadlines. Similarly, all indication of delivery time I could provide is non-commiting. I had to face too many unexpected delays, stressful moments and even injuries trying to respect deadlines, on top of a rampant and serious impostor syndrome that makes every shortcoming an absolute nightmare.

As said before, I am trying to make a living out of this, offering my knowledge of the craft (though I'm still learning) and of European edged and non-edged weapons, things I studied through long years and with great cost, and offering my time and the time it took to get me to where I am now, and the time I shall spend furthering my knowledge and honing and extending my skills.

I am ever so grateful to be surrounded by so many kind and passionate souls, and I am certain you will understand the sense of this post.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

This might well be the long-winded post I warned you of about two weeks ago, though I'll try to keep it palatable.
A Situation Report of sorts, and returns on stuff now rather old - couple months back even.
So have a read if you're so inclined, but be warned of the randomness of it.

Hemac Dijon 2024 was fantastic. Thanks to all far and near who made it possible. Managed to enjoy it more than the previous editions, and it was needed.

Water issues at the shop were solved, but it added to the stress and tension related to the workplace (and incumbent lack thereof) - this situation is still weighing heavily on me, and I'll do a dedicated post on that.

I've been treated by my club mates with a new graphic card and screen for my pc, and I can't be grateful enough for such thoughtfulness.

FightCamp was threatened by passport issues, solved right in time, and was thoroughly enjoyable through and through. Main concern was the knee, which held up nicely and I had awesome peeps at my class - the rest of the event was on par.
Brexit still sucks.

Been rejected again in my search for a house. This is getting more than crushing.

Work was very random, heat waves not helping, shop vac on fire, supplies not coming. On top of the rest. So thanks for bearing with me. Burn has healed nicely.

I will raise my prices. Undercharging is common practice among my talented friends and colleagues, need to change that. Trying to make a living in a Western country. Enough with just trying to barely survive.
Also: from now on, no refund policy is on. Once work has started on a project, or specific supplies or tools have been purchased or made, no refund. In compliance with French law.
I will also accept barter.
Dedicated post to follow.

Might have a spot for a one-on-one swordmaking class at the very end of the month.

I need to set priority on myself. Might not look like it, but that's not really what I've been doing so far, save for a few bursts every now and then. Those interested only in the professional side of me will also benefit from it : a better me will make better work.

That's about it. Or maybe not.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

"Fulfilling delusional modern expectations should be very far down on the list of priorities"

Still trying to enjoy some time away from work while the arm heals, and still thinking of that long-winded post I promised you, but this quote by my friend and brother Ádám Bodorics (check out his work of you don't know him) was just too gleefully spot on not to share it.
Pic for attention.

Take care

Fab

Hello there

Not the publication I intended for today, but here we go :
This here is the state of my right forearm after work yesterday.
Metal doesn't need to be red-hot to do some nasty stuff, which is something I already knew and for which did not need extra proof. Straightening a blade prior to heat-treat, vise slipped and here's the result.
No deep damage, but puts me off work for some time, with a nice amount of pain to keep me company.

I'm not posting this to complain and whine, let me be clear. Nor to seek sympathy or whatever.
It is just a situation report.

Thanks for your understanding.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

Many thanks to all of you (the whole fourteen) for the Birthday wishes. I had a pleasant evening all this considered, and got some cool and unexpected presents.

Now, on things that will be more relevant to you all, just know that the free shipping offer is over. Also, I am preparing a rather long-winded post to tell you all of my current situation, comment on things I should have written about ages ago, and tell you of my future plans and schemes. Also informing you that I will raise my prices.
Which means that until this post is published, old prices are still valid - better jump on that !

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there !

As it happens with a yearly frequency, today is my birthday, so how about I offer free shipping on all purchases done while this day lasts ?
This includes your local time zone, on top of that - the day isn't over until it's over everywhere.

PM me if you see anything you like.

And stay safe

Fab

Any of my UK mates in ned of a housemate ?
Asking for a friend (real friend), from September on.

PM me ?

Thanks

Hello there

HERE I COME !!!

Picked up my new passport today, without which much anguish and disappointment would have taken place (not that we're ever safe from that, mind...).

I'll arrive in London tomorrow at 16:00 local. Any good soul with still some room in their vehicle and leaving/passing through the greater London area on their way to FightCamp kind enough to give me a lift (I'd pay my share of travel expenses naturally) ? Failing that I'll have but to try my luck with the most excellent British train services.

Likewise on the way back on Monday morning, I'd need to be at St Pancras International before 12:30.

So looking forward to seeing good people there !

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there again

Managed to finish this one today, not really what was planned but when roadblocks happen, go through the forest.

All crappy metaphors aside, here's this thing :

A Long Knife, in a late XVth century fashion.

Spring steel blade with a short edge, and old wrought iron fittings showing a lovely texture - the flow and curves of which following the forge work that created them.
And curly maple scales with hand-rolled brass pins.

Length is 822 mm with a 630 mm blade, 38 mm wide and 6.2 mm thick at its base, properly tapering. Cross has a span of 163 mm.

Weight is 710 g, with the point of balance 11 cm from the cross.

Edit : sold, and will be given a scabbard with by-knives.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

More things should be published soon, but in the meantime a reminder that these here are all yours to purchase - details in the relevant posts, or ask me directly.

Shipping not included, multiple instalments possible.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

Hot, hot days at the shop as of late, and this heat is hard on the body, and work is slow by necessity.

Still, this one is all finished and up for grabs, completed between other jobs.

High carbon steel blade, heat-blued (or purpled ?) handle, and there fine filework and a nice quench line on the blade. 18/11 cm.

Yours for three hundred, shipping not included.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

Several of you asked me for more details on the construction and making of the latest Anthropomorphic Hilted sword, so here are a few in no particular order.

- Front and back plate. The front plates edges rebated, to allow the back plate to slide inside the overlap from the top down. On La Tène swords, either the front or back plate could be overlapping.
Note that this is the first version of the front plate, then p**p happened and I had to make another. The throat piece would slide down from the top, and the chape from the bottom.

- Inlaying the moon. Cutting the crescent shape into the unhardened part of the blade, then hammering silver wire in the recess.

- Cast bronze parts of the hilt and scabbard in various states of finish. I used red sand while historically lost wax would most likely have been the process used. Casts were not perfect in that there was some overspill, but it's far better than pitting or cold shuts. Had to recast the chape though, and went for separate extensions that I brazed on later instead of a full-length thing.

Taking a few days off now to patch myself up. Shall respawn shortly.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

Something I got to finish today in spite of the circumstances.

A Celtic Anthropomorphic Hilted Short Sword/Dagger and Scabbard, 1st cent. B.C.

Based mostly on two local examples (one found in 1900 in Mirebeau-sur-Bèze, and the other in the river Saône, at the ford called "Iles Percées" in 1974, and both kept in the in Chalon-sur-Saône) as well as others.

The blade is high carbon steel with a hollow ground diamond section, and has been slack-quenched so that only the edges would harden. A sun, crescent moon and two silver lines were inlaid on one face.

The hilt is bronze, cast in 4 parts. The shape of it recall the "proper" anthropomorphic hilts of the earlier phases in a simplified form, but it's not hard to identify the legs, body, arms and head.

The scabbard is bronze, and as should be can be taken down relatively easily. The front plate overlaps the back plate on the sides, and the throat piece and chape also keep holding these two together.

I have a boundless admiration for the Celtic smiths of old.

There is both much to say about these swords - questions, mostly, and not much in terms of answers.
Such swords appear all over Europe, and a striking feature in addition to the hilt is these inlays of a moon and a sun - though some swords only show a single central strip of gold.

Maybe my current reads on metal finishes has me overthink on the meaning of these inlays - or rather, the fact that they did have a meaning, now lost to us.
But it made sense to me that the blade could have been heat-blued, to emphasise the moon and sun at twilight - the silver lines could then be the Milky Way or the Divide between Night and Day, maybe at the time of the Equinox.
Bluing of blades is also found later on inlaid Mediaeval swords, with a possibility of a continuity of this technique. I'd say more, but space here is limited. Edit: more in comments.

I don't know.
All that we can affirm is the undeniable highly symbolic meaning of such artifacts - as the Archaeologist in me would say.

Many thanks to Dr Guillaume Reich - leading expert on La Tène weapons - for the advice, insight and bibliography.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

It's one of these days again...
Shop vac died in a puff of smoke. Not expected and never the right time, and incidentally it was just past the warranty period, could you believe that ?

Still trying to work my bottom off, in the hope of enjoying some proper time away from the shop for the entire month of August if you don't mind me (or even if you do).

To keep you entertained, here's a thing that will get proper publishing time next week hopefully. A long standing project, with highs and lows along the making, and many questions raised and some of them even got some form of answer.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there !

Any of my friends from continental Europe driving to FightCamp this year who could accommodate me for the ride, at least on the way in ? It would allow me to bring long-sharp-stuff to the event as the Eurostar is a no-go for that and shipping them over is too risky.
I'd pay my share of the expenses of course.

Thanks !

Hello there !

You already know this one - but it's back on the market !

Here are the details for those who missed it:

Spring steel blade, mild steel cross and pommel, and leather over linen cord over wood grip. All hand-made, naturally.

Overall length 1209 mm, with a 945 mm blade (43 mm wide/6.14 mm thick at its base). Crossguard span is shy of 22 cm.

Weight is 1163 grams, with a point of balance 15 cm down the blade from the cross, giving this rather light sword some nice authority in the cut and the bind.

Price in comments.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there !

As foretold (beats "as I was saying the other day", eh ?): pics of the latest, a thing I've been working on between other jobs, as there are times when you don't have enough time to do stuff, or need to wait for metal to heat, cool or both, so you do other stuff instead.

A Sidesword, late XVth/early XVIth century.

Again, inspired by period artwork (Signorelli but not only) - not an exact replica of an existing piece.

This one was made between other jobs - which means it was mostly done by hand with hand tools, grabbing a minute here for some filing, a couple of seconds there for more.
Actually, save for the random work flow, this one was pretty much made very closely to period processes, something I realised pretty quickly and which became part of the goal.
And as such, it also shows traces of them: file marks, grinding stones etc. Nothing made on purpose, but also nothing you wouldn't see on period examples - even the very high-end ones.

Blade is spring steel, 5 mm thick at the base, tapering.

The cross shows curved quillons, and a type of forward M-Ring-and-Prong that is both elegant and quite useful when fencing. All hand-forged of course.

The pommel has decorative recesses on each side, forged-in.

The grip is leather over cord over wood.

The fittings were brought to a dull cherry-red heat and allowed to cool slowly. A layer of oxides thus formed on the surface, yielding both a nice decorative blue-grey finish and a protective surface. I must say I have been very much influenced by that book Master Armourer Chris Dobson recently published, called "Beaten Black and Blue", in which Chris discusses the various possible finishes on iron/steel surfaces in the European Mediaeval and Renaissance periods, for armour mostly but not only - and which left me with a lot of questions but also with the conviction that such finishes were a lot more present on weapons than the image we can get from the modern market. Which is also something I've already been using in my own work, and will use more.

974 g, PoB 12 cm, total length 1091 mm, blade 946 mm long, 28.6 wide.

Price in comments

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

An attempt at a decent pic of the hilt of this sword - a tricky thing, with all the reflections.

The process for making such decoration is basically to cut grooves/channels in the surface of the hilt elements, either with a square chisel or a metal saw, and then to hammer in small cuts of well annealed metal wire (here silver and brass). Said wire needs to fill in the channel - hammering them in secures a tight fit - but also to "overflow" a bit ; they will hopefully spread under the hammer blows and cover the top of the walls separating each groove. No need to undercut.
For each square of this checkered pattern, an average of 4 cuts of wire were used. Needless to say, it is a lengthy process but I'm very much looking forward to doing it again.

The silver decorative elements between the pommel lobes and the pommel and rear guard are silver. I took a 3 mm wire and rolled it between a hardened wedge of steel and a flat, hard surface. Again, the wire needs to be well annealed beforehand, and also required annealing afterwards as the process of rolling significantly work-hardened it.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there !

Glad Midsommar !

A Carolingian Sword and Scabbard, 9th century.

The blade has a 3-layer core of mild steel over high carbon steel, and high carbon steel edges.
Hot-welded in the fullers are the famous "+ULFBERH+T" mark on one side, and "III XX III" on the other, in pattern-welded 1075 and 15N20 steel - this latter thing being, in my educated opinion, no less important than the other side. Many things have been said about such marks, but the most important thing about them is that they exist (otherwise, to paraphrase Sir Terry Pratchett, it wouldn't be a real sword, just a very dangerous bit of sharp metal) and that they are but one aspect of the continuous function of the sword to carry a message/prayer/ritual thing, a thing appearing as early as the Bronze Age and which would continue up to the Renaissance if not after - working in conjunction with the scabbard to utter/read these spells when the sword is drawn or put back in the scabbard.

The hilt is inspired by sword FG2187 of the Germanisches National museum, found near Mannheim, and is mild steel overlaid in brass and silver (thanks to Matt Bunker for the close-ups), with silver details.

For the grip I drew inspiration from a sword found in river Shannon in 2012 for the placement of the linen threads under the leather cover, which provide both a decorative function and a nice feeling in hand. The overall shape of the grip was determined by stylistic elements of various swords of other types.

The scabbard is leather over linen over steam-formed wood, and lined with 100% wool cloth, stitched at the throat with pure silk thread. I chose not to give it a chape, the end being reinforced by a thick wrap of folded linen bands, as according to Dr Geibig's works. Decoration was made using thread glued under the leather cover.
Cheese glue was used for all this.

The suspension system of leather and brass is loosely made after the finds from the Isle of Man (Cronk Moar and Balleteare). The main issue I had was the bottom D-ring/strap thing, and here I propose a simple arrangement of a leather strap riveted to the buckle plate, and made to fit tightly the scabbard when wet. Upon drying, the strap would shrink and securely fit between the two risers.

The strap ends are in the Trewhiddle style, and were made using the historical process of drawing out a billet and chiselling in the decoration, accordingly to the PhD by Gabor Thomas. No casting involved there.

The making of this project owes a lot to the labours of Dr Mikko Molainen, to whom I address all my thanks.

This whole thing needed an awful amount of trial and error, and I am well aware that not everything is perfect there. Apart from the issues mentioned above, the main difficulties were the hot-inlaying/welding of the marks, but I do thing that most of them came from using modern steel - old/bloomery iron, especially with the proper content in phosphorous (wink at ) would have made the welding easier I think. I'll have to give it a try some day.

Hello there

De-cluttering.

I've been carrying these with me to markets, events, places of ill repute, he'll and back and all sorts of random in between. Some of them for well over 6 years.
I need them gone.

Prices and full descriptions are all given in the relevant posts, but feel free to askif you can't find them. And I'm all open to haggling actually - that's the very point of this post.

Edit : here's a link to the descriptions and original prices :
https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=fabrice.cognotbladesmith&set=a.118164341570647

Make me offers.
(Don't be insulting, though)

And make yourself happy, or someone else happy, with one or several of these.

All of them handmade here in Dijon by yours truly.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

The latest 2, still available.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there again again, again

Wish I had more to show for, work-related I mean, but let's call it a day.

Picked up the sketchbook some time during the train ride ; what Legion do you reckon this dude could/should be ?

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there again

Another finished thing for today, while working on larger stuff

A Full Metal Folder
High carbon steel blade with light filework, and steel handle with brass highlights.
Playing with textures and finishes again.

170 mm open, 102 when closed.

Yours for 280 units of the European Union, if purchased before next Tuesday. Then it will be at 340.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

A Full Metal Folder

High carbon steel blade, steel handle with brass highlights.
The blade is lightly fileworked, and I gave it a differential hardening which yielded subtle but very interesting structures in the steel - unfortunately my phone camera might not have picked them up. The edge is hardened and the back/base isn't, and the transition area between these two zones was made rather wide through precise temperature management.

It is 170 mm when open, and 106 mm in the closed position.

This one's ready to ship, and as a Father's Day special thing, I'm putting it at 280€, shipping not included. This period of Grace will end next Tuesday however, at which time it will be at 340 €.

Also, thank you for the support re. my previous post !

Stay safe

Fab

Salut à tous

Une publication en français directement, histoire de vous tenir au courant de ma situation ; vous avez été nombreux et chaleureux dans votre soutien, et je vous avais promis de vous donner des nouvelles entre deux photos du travail en cours ou des pièces fraîchement terminées (et j'espère qu'il y en aura aujourd'hui).

Et en fait, il n'y a pas de progrès quant à ces histoires d'atelier ou de logement ou les deux. Ou plutôt si : je vois désormais mes tentatives rejetées car les assurances locatives ne veulent plus de garants tout court.

Donc je me tourne à nouveau vers vous chers amis, et chers amis de mes amis, pour vos contacts, vos réseaux, votre appui. Je ne sais pas comment ou par quels moyens, et pensez bien que si je le savais je serai déjà dessus.

Dans l'idée c'est assez simple: trouver un endroit proche de Dijon et de sa périphérie, accessible en transports en commun (aussi pour des raisons écoresponsables) et disposant des services nécessaires à mon activité - mon métier ça n'est pas juste faire de la poussière (beaucoup) et taper des trucs, c'est aussi recevoir des fournitures et expédier des colis. Idéalement cet endroit serait à la fois lieu de vie et lieu de travail. Mais à défaut, il me faudra trouver dans un premier temps un atelier.

Dans la pratique c'est plus compliqué : je ne suis pas salarié, et les absurdités liées à l'incompréhension des réalités de la vie d'entrepreneur individuel créent des obstacles artificiels, aberrants.

Donc je lance encore une fois un appel à l'aide. Je le lance en permanence, en fait.
Nous sommes déjà en juin, et décembre se fait de plus en plus plus proche.

À un niveau plus immédiat, les soucis d'eau courante ont été réglés. Le nouveau bailleur n'avait juste pas renouvelé le contrat alors que celui-ci était au nom de l'ancien bailleur.

J'essaye de ménager mon genou au quotidien, en attendant un entretien avec un chirurgien pour envisager les possibilités d'intervention (ménisque fissuré, grade 3). Mais évidemment qui dit chirurgie dit arrêt de travail de 3 semaines, et suspension d'activité physique bien plus longue...or mon travail est...plutôt physique...

Merci à tous

Fab

Hello there again

These two knives are now looking for a new home - it's Father's Day soon, just saying, though any day can be a New Knife Day, right ?

High carbon steel, all hand-forged, filed, twisted. Selective hardening and a subtle satin finish for the blades, and oil-black for the handles.

Top one is 162 mm long, bottom one 159.

Now at two hundred units of the European currency, shipping not included. Can be given a sheath for an extra 70.

Stay safe

Fab

Hello there

You wouldn't you be interested in coming along, instead of staying here ?

Stay safe

Fab

Blue Oyster Cult: Then Came the Last Days of May Classic