Sting

Sting was made as a knife by elven smiths in Gondolin during the First age.

How it came to the troll-cave of Bert, Tom and William, the three trolls, where Bilbo picked it up in the Third age nothing is said. But early legends of the First age tells how the ruins of Gondolin was searched by roving bands. Likely some of these found the knife and carried it away.

The fact Sting survived the long ages between the fall of Gondolin and the finding of it in a troll-cave in the Third age tells us a lot of the skills of the elven smiths of Gondolin.

1 Age.

F.A.116-510. Made in Gondolin.

2 Age.

No records.

3 Age.

T.A.2941. Bilbo picked up the knife which was in a sheath of leather. It had a size that would fit as a sword for a Hobbit. Later, in Mirkwood after Bilbo had used it to rescue Thorin II and his companions from the spiders, Bilbo named the knife Sting.

T.A.3019. (October) Bilbo gave Sting to Frodo in Imladris along with the Elven Chainmail.

T.A.3019. (March) Sam picked up Sting and the One Ring as he thought Frodo was dead in the tunnels of Shelob. He carries it with him to the Tower of Cirith Ungol and into Mordor where Frodo gives Sting to Sam.

Related Links.: Encyc.: Sting.