These bolstered knives are individually hand forged by Paul Binns who is one of the best re-enactment blade smiths working today. The sheaths are made entirely by hand from vegetable tanned calf skin that has been dyed using period dyes. Bolstered knives are made by hammer welding a carbon steel blade onto an iron stub. The stub is drawn out into a tang leaving a solid raised shoulder at the blade/tang junction which is known as the bolster. This method of making knives first appears in the early 16th century and remained unchanged until the appearance of stainless steel. The sheaths are wet moulded around each knife which makes for a perfect fit and they have a leather thong so they can be carried from a belt.