A Keeper Damascus Sgian Dubh

**O'Neille** · 14th October 07, 10:27 PM

I gave away two sgians at kilt night and have another waiting to be mailed. I didn't have one with a poured bolster and pommel for myself. I went hiking today and wished I had a utility sgian made with nice components. Since the Sea Hawks weren't doing very well I decided I needed to do something useful.

Today's components

Mock up

Hot molten metal

With the molds removed. I made it to be used so I put a decent sized handle on it.

Here is where I do my rough shaping

The finished sgian, weighing in at 7 oz with sheath, full tang, moose antler and all that pewter.

**Arizona Scot** · 14th October 07, 10:30 PM

What a beautiful sgian, I wish I had half that amount of talent.

**O'Neille** · 14th October 07, 10:40 PM

Except for waiting for things to cool down it is quite easy to make a sgian with a poured pommel and bolster. The Atlanta cutlery blades (thin threaded tang) require little more than a single hole. Full tang sgians (like this one) need a little more prep on the handle. After pouring you just rough sand or file to shape and keep smothing things until you get to a state where it can be polished.

I've got some patterned Arizna Ironwood coming so I can make some sgians to match all those Arizona tartans out there. I don't have one but maybe someone will be up for some trading. O'Neille

**Arlen** · 15th October 07, 04:45 AM

Very, very nice.

Always good to have a sgian for use as well as show.

**Warhoover** · 15th October 07, 04:57 AM

Very lovely work! I need to give making a sgian a go soon.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 15th October 07, 06:17 AM

Beautiful!!

**David Dalglish** · 15th October 07, 07:08 AM

Nice job

**turpin** · 15th October 07, 10:50 AM

Awsome knife, O'Neille.

Question: Do you use any breathing protection when grinding or cutting the antler? I'ver heard the dust can be toxic. Anyone know about this?

**O'Neille** · 15th October 07, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by turpin

Question: Do you use any breathing protection when grinding or cutting the antler? I'ver heard the dust can be toxic. Anyone know about this?

The truth is, I don't. I have a dust collection system and my shop has a good ventilation system. There is very little dust visible even after some aggressive grinding. At least it's not artificial popcorn flavoring. I have a paint respirator in the shop but find it to be a hazard when using machines that can take fingers off.