I had two options: a bone handle or a wooden handle.
Bone could give the dagger a more predatory aesthetic, but it might be cold and slippery. On the other hand, wood provided a warm and comfortable grip. Most importantly, it was easy to shape and, when wrapped in leather, offered a firm hold in the palm.
I turned to Gob. “We’ll make this dagger’s handle out of wood because we need a non-slip, comfortable grip.”
Gob immediately ran to the wood storage. With his small arms, he carried a few pieces of wood and placed them in front of me. “Gob!”
Smiling, I examined the wooden pieces. I needed to choose the most suitable one—something hard, dense-grained, and resistant to impact. A piece of volcanic oak caught my eye. This type of oak, which grew in volcanic areas, was known for its durability and fire resistance.
Gob touched the wood. “Gob?”
“Yes, this is perfect.”
To prepare the handle, I first needed to cut the wood to the right size. Using a small saw, I cut a piece about 12 cm long and 3 cm wide.
“Now, we’ll shape it so that it fits comfortably in our hand.”
Gob nodded enthusiastically. “Gob!”
Using my knife, I carefully began carving the surface of the handle. First, I rounded the edges, then created small grooves where fingers could rest comfortably.
Gob leaned in and observed. “Gob?”
“This is where your hand will fit,” I said, placing the handle in my palm to demonstrate how it should be gripped.
Gob touched it with his small fingers, then nodded excitedly. “Gob! Gob!”
I continued carving for a while longer. Eventually, I achieved a shape that felt comfortable, balanced, and non-slippery in my grip. Now, it was time to attach the handle to the dagger’s body.
I had already prepared a small slot in which to place the steel tang. To reinforce the attachment, I used a mixture of resin and coal dust. This natural adhesive would harden over time, firmly binding the steel and wood together.
Carefully, I inserted the tang into the handle and lightly tapped it with a mallet to secure it.
Gob leaned in eagerly. “Gob?”
“We’re not done yet. We need to wrap it for extra stability.”
The final step for the handle was leather wrapping. Bare wood looked good, but it could become slippery with sweaty hands. Wrapping it in leather not only provided a secure grip but also completed the dagger’s aesthetic.
I turned to Gob. “We need some sturdy leather.”
Gob immediately ran to the corner of the cave and retrieved an old wolf hide with his tiny hands. “Gob!”
I took the hide and examined it. Wolf pelt was durable and flexible, but I couldn’t use it as it was—I had to trim it down first.
The first step was cutting the leather into long, thin strips. Using a small knife, I carefully sliced it into pieces, each about 2 cm wide and 40 cm long.
The second step was softening the leather strips a bit. If they were too stiff, they wouldn’t wrap around the handle properly. I moistened them slightly with water, kneaded them gently, and waited for them to become more pliable.
Gob dipped his hand in the water and squeezed the leather. “Gob!”
“Yes, we need to wait a little longer.”
After a while, the leather reached the perfect flexibility. Now came the most crucial step: wrapping the handle.
First, I secured one end of the leather strip at the bottom of the handle. Then, I began wrapping it tightly upward.
“Look, Gob. Each layer should overlap the previous one to prevent slipping.”
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
Gob watched carefully. “Gob?”
“You need to feel it when you press down.” I handed the handle to Gob.
Gob gripped it with his small hands and pressed firmly. Then, he grinned happily. “Gob!”
I smiled. “That’s right.”
As I wrapped, I ensured that each layer was snug and secure. When I reached the top, I trimmed the excess leather and fastened the end with a small pin.
Finally, I tested the grip by squeezing it a few times. It fit perfectly in my hand, didn’t slip, and felt incredibly balanced.
I turned to Gob. “What do you think? Did we do a good job?”
Gob raised his arms. “Gob!”
Smiling, I held the dagger up to the light. Alpha Wolf’s Fang - High-Quality Dagger was now complete.
-
Its steel had been reinforced with Steel Fang Wolf’s Bones.
-
Alpha Wolf’s Fang had granted it exceptional sharpness and a magical effect.
-
The handle, crafted from volcanic oak and wrapped in leather, provided a firm grip.
I ruffled Gob’s head playfully. “This is a true craftsman’s work.”
Gob happily waved his arms. “Gob! Gob! Gob!”
Now, I held in my hands not just a sharp blade, but a lightweight, durable, and well-balanced dagger. A weapon worthy of a master craftsman.
And most importantly… It was crafted by my own hands.
[Craft Completed!]
[Wolf Fang Dagger] [B+]
[A weapon enhanced with the bones of the Steel Fang Wolf and the fang of the Alpha Wolf, granting it sharpness and magical effects.]
[Properties]
[Wolf’s Bite]
[The weapon's sharpness momentarily increases, allowing it to cut through even the hardest surfaces effortlessly.]
“A B+ grade weapon with a special ability? Now this is what I’m talking about! I can sell this for a great price.”
Gob tugged at my shirt with a sullen expression.
“Gob?..”
I guess he was upset because he heard that I was going to sell the dagger. It was the first weapon he had ever made, and it had a special meaning for him. Most blacksmiths grow attached to their creations, but a weapon's true purpose is to find its rightful owner. Rather than letting them gather dust, I would rather see my weapons put to good use.
“I'm sorry, Gob. If I want to pass this floor, I need to earn a lot of money. But later, I’ll make you an even better dagger. How about that?”
Upon hearing this, Gob’s smile returned.
“Gob!”
Passing this floor… What would happen to Gob and the others once I cleared it? And what about my workshop? I had also promised the Great Goblin that I would take care of them.
Even though thinking about it made me feel uneasy, I couldn't stop now. So, for the time being, I decided to focus on what I do best—crafting.
“Let’s see, next up is…”
Gob looked at me with great excitement.
“Gob! Gob!”
“That’s right, the Alpha Wolf’s Pelt Stealth Armor!”
I turned to Gob, whose eyes were as curious as ever.
“Gob, this armor will help us move like a stealthy hunter. Using high-quality Alpha Wolf and Steel Fang Wolf pelts, we will craft the best armor possible.”
Gob eagerly nodded his head. “Gob! Gob!” Then, without hesitation, he dashed towards the storage room. He knew his task well enough that even a simple command was enough to set him in motion. Within seconds, he returned with the Alpha Wolf’s Pelt and Steel Fang Wolf’s Pelt in hand.
Step 1: Preparing the Pelts
Before processing the pelts, I activated [Examine] to analyze their properties. The Alpha Wolf’s Pelt was durable and imbued with magical traits inherited from the Alpha Wolf’s nature. The Steel Fang Wolf’s Pelt was tougher and more rigid, making it a perfect reinforcement for added durability. This armor wouldn’t just provide physical protection but would also allow for swift and agile movements.
The first task was to prepare the pelts properly. I carefully inspected each one, checking for small cuts or imperfections. The Alpha Wolf’s pelt was soft but oily and dirty, while the Steel Fang Wolf’s pelt was a bit stiffer, requiring careful handling.
Holding my knife carefully, I began examining the first piece of the Alpha Wolf’s Pelt. Spreading it open, I turned to Gob.
“This pelt has too much oil and dirt. We need to clean it first, or the processing won’t go smoothly,” I explained.
Gob widened his eyes and listened intently. “Gob!” he responded, as if he completely understood.
“First, we’ll remove the excess oil and dirt,” I continued. “Take this knife and watch me closely. Then, you can do the same.” I handed the knife to Gob, who carefully took it.
“With the knife, gently scrape the surface of the pelt. Be careful not to press too hard, or you might damage the fibers. Our goal is to remove the dirt and oil, but without ruining the pelt.”
Gob nodded and started scraping the pelt’s surface with his knife. His movements were cautious but noticeably slower than mine. “Gob!” he said, mimicking my actions with determination.
While working alongside him, I guided him through the process.
“Look, when cleaning this corner, keep the knife at a slightly steeper angle. That way, it’ll be more efficient.”
Gob adjusted his movement, copying my advice. With focused effort, he continued to scrape away the excess oil while being careful not to tear the material. Though his pace was slower, his technique was correct.
After some time, we had cleaned the first layer of the pelt.
“Now, we’ll start drying it near the stone furnace,” I said. “The heat will help shape the pelt, but be careful—too much heat can ruin it.”
Gob nodded and followed me as we carefully placed the pelts around the furnace, keeping an eye on the temperature.
“This should be just enough. Now, we wait for them to dry properly,” I added.
Gob observed me closely, studying every move I made. He wasn’t just assisting me—he was truly learning, internalizing each step of the process.
Step 2: Shaping the Pelts
Once the pelts had dried, it was time to shape them. I turned to Gob and explained the next steps.
“Now, we’ll start shaping the pelts. This process requires patience and precision to ensure that each piece fits perfectly into the armor’s form. The drying process is complete, but before we shape them, we need to stretch the material properly.”
Gob listened intently, his expression serious and focused.
“Gob!” he said, as if he understood what came next.