Today’s article in our series on the Kingdom’s Virtual Queens Prize Tourney is about a fantastic Crusader Dagger, made by artisan Minamoto Sakurako.
As we do not have the ability to converse with our entrants face to face, the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney now offers the opportunity to drool over images and read the documentation right there on the Kingdom Ministry of Arts & Sciences website – even to leave feedback! In order to learn a little more about the artisan and their thoughts behind their entry, the organizers decided to broaden our traditional entry of object and documentation with personal interviews.
This dagger is based off the styles used around the 12th century. It is heat treated and tempered, so this piece is combat ready.
Could you tell me a little about your persona.
My persona is a 14th century samurai, but the dagger I made was based off the German Crusader style.
What inspired you to make your entry?
I wanted to challenge myself to a new skill, but it was also a labor of love made as a gift for a very dear friend. It made the blisters worth it .
What is your intention with your entry?
My goal was to great a battle-ready weapon worthy of a knight. And it met all expectations. It’s cool to make something that I know would go through chainmail.
Did the entry have any unexpected issues?
The biggest challenge was working with 5160 steel. It moves very slow. That means you have to hit it very hard to get any movement. That’s why for this piece I had to grind the final shape.
Did you learn something specific, something you would do differently, or would recommend others to do?
I learned about European handle configuration and how to forge a double edge.
What motivated you to enter the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney?
I don’t show off my work a lot, and my peer wants me to show off more.
Thank you, Minamoto Sakurako, for sharing your wonderful work with our Kingdom’s artisans and populace!
If you would like to see Minamoto Sakurako’s entry, follow this link. And if you liked his work, have a question to ask, or a tip to share – please leave your comments with his entry! You can “Leave a Reply” at the bottom of the entry’s page. We have two more weeks to peruse, enjoy and interact with the entrants. Make use of the opportunity, if you can!
Would you like to enter your own project? The deadline for entering the Virtual Queens Prize Tourney is June 30th, and you can find all you need to know on how to enter on the KMOAS website.