Anyone else wishing for a custom sgian?

[David Thornton]

First, thanks Mike1 for the advice and warnings. I will attempt to coach this so that there can be no broach of forum rules. I am comfortable that you will let me know if this thread strays, I Will personally try to see that is doesn't. Now on to the thread.

I have been wanting a quality sgian, possibly even a one of a kind. I think I sense that several other board members may feel the same way. A few have bought, many more are still delaying that purchase for various reasons. Sometimes it is the cost of a custom job, or not knowing who makes a quality blade, maybe it's warming up to the price of a custom, or not knowing who to ask. Well, I think I have a viable solution and I need your input.

There are several very talented makers who might be persuaded to make a run of several (many?) of a similar design if there was interest. This would allow us to realize some savings in the cost of both the sgian and the postage. I have spoken with one of them at length. This will not be a group buy, nor will it involve sales on the forum. If there is interest and we go forward, everything will run through my office and my email. (good Mike?)

So hit me, anyone else interested in the possibility of ordering? Thoughts or questions can be posted here or sent to me via pm or email, both are in my profile.

David

[Dirk Skene]

Rab Gordon in Lochness. He is a member here. My next one will come from him. I have not contacted him yet, but I have been tooling around his site. He does beautiful work. After all Dirk Skene should have a nice sgian.

[David Thornton]

Rab Gordon in Lochness. He is a member here. My next one will come from him. I have not contacted him yet, but I have been tooling around his site. He does beautiful work. After all Dirk Skene should have a nice sgian.

edit, sorry PM intended

[Robin]

I highly recommend Rab Gordon, but handmade sgians take time...

[Archangel]

I'm open to the idea, tell me more.

I'd like a real blade, it doesn't have to be an exotic steel.
Not quite so cobby as the Windlass (Indian cutler) versions but not so shiny, fancy as commercial models.
Cold Steel keeps getting close but mess up on the handle.

Really, between the good quality blanks available and the simplicity of the design, it is surprising that good sgian dhus are not more available.

Not sure what all the cautions about the mods/rules are, I hope I haven't crossed any lines myself. Not my intention.

[JRB]

I am very interested in a quality custom sgian. I'd really like something that isn't too formal/fancy and would work well in a more casual situation. Blade quality is a big priority for me. As a knife/sword collector, it pains me to see beautiful, carved sgian dubhs with crappy, cheap stainless steel blades (a scenario that is all too common these days).

[David Thornton]

Hmm, pms indicate a lot of interest, but not necessarily in the same style. But most helpful, I'll do a bit more research, keep compiling notes and report back.
Thanks, keep the suggestions coming.
David

[Archangel]

So, to be a bit clearer, I'd like a blade that is better than the tin on most store sgian dhus. An identified steel is good but it doesn't have to be much more than the basic 440c, the exotic steels go too high priced. I guess I don't want collector quality, that's just the same as a sock decoration but in the other direction.

JRB, what type of steel would you like to see that meets your requirements?

[JRB]

I'd like it to be a good, basic, high carbon tool/blade steel anything 10 series or similar would be fine with me. Most custom blade smiths work with that type of steel. It's fairly inexpensive, readily available and can make a sturdy blade that will hold a great edge.

[Archangel]

Something like the 10 series would be good. We are, after all, looking at a small blade. Sword blade qualities would be wasted.

Do we want forged blades?