Any info about this Sgian Dubh??

[sp00ky]

Hi all,

Recently won this in an eBay aution:



It was described as:

From a vets lot of WWII Royal Scots items, this Sgian Dubh has
a hand-carved wooden handle painted in black with three rows of grooves in
the grip and a silver Scottish thistle insignia embedded into the obverse of
the handle. The steel blade has a saw-tooth look with a fuller above, maker
marked "I CUT MY WAY WILLIAM RODGERS SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND", along with the accompanying company axe icon.

I was wondering if anyone can confirm that it is indeed WWII issue?? I have no reason to doubt the seller, they are prolific in militaria, but always looking for any extra info about it, or the maker?

Google searches have turned up little else.

Appreciate the help,

Scott

[MacRobert's Reply]

I have the same pattern of sgian Scott. Mine is a British military issue item, however, it is (as far as I know) post WW2. I guess that this may be a war-time pattern that continued post-war. Hopefully some old soldier on x-marks will recognise it.

Although the pattern of the handle appears to be identical to mine, with the three grooves and the same characteristic shape, the blades are a little different and mine has no legend on the blade. The handle on mine is plain polished red-brown wood (unpainted) and has a brass ferule where the handle joins the blade. There is also no insignia on mine.

[Chas]

Hi all,

Recently won this in an eBay aution:



It was described as:

From a vets lot of WWII Royal Scots items, this Sgian Dubh has
a hand-carved wooden handle painted in black with three rows of grooves in
the grip and a silver Scottish thistle insignia embedded into the obverse of
the handle. The steel blade has a saw-tooth look with a fuller above, maker
marked "I CUT MY WAY WILLIAM RODGERS SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND", along with the accompanying company axe icon.

I was wondering if anyone can confirm that it is indeed WWII issue?? I have no reason to doubt the seller, they are prolific in militaria, but always looking for any extra info about it, or the maker?

Google searches have turned up little else.

Appreciate the help,

Scott

Although I have no evidence one way or the other, I do have a 'feeling' based on 12 years RAF service.

The "I Cut MY Way" with the Ulu symbol was prominent within civilian circles. It was for years the only recommended brand by the Scout and Guide Associations, as they produced knives in a variety of sizes and weights.

Most service issue goods of that time do not have a maker's name and I have never seen a logo. Because they bought goods in some bulk the services could control how an item looked. I would expect to possibly see "W.R. - Sheffield", and nothing else on the blade. Possibly a four figure stores number and the broad arrow mark, but they could be on the handle.

I am not saying that this is not a military sgian, just that I have some doubts. Possibly a serviceman bought this to replace the issue one that had been lost.

Regards

Chas

[sp00ky]

Chas,

Thanks for your added info.

That, combined with the description that doesn't say "military issue" rather "from a lot of Royal Scots Vet.", also with MacRobert's Reply's reply... stating that he has a similar, but with no markings makes me believe you are correct.

Still a cool sgian dubh, first one I have purchased actually, other than the plastic hilted one I bought for my son.

Currently awaiting another sgian I am having made using whitetail antlers - last whitetail my father took before he passed away.

Thanks for the info...

Scott