Ironwood Pewter Sgian Dubh

**O'Neille** · 16th December 07, 03:05 AM

I was out in the shop today making knives as Christmas gifts. I built my Dad a damascus, pewter, moose antler much like others I have posted before.

I had some Arizona ironwood and a carbon steel blade to make my Brother a sgian. I had not built a shaped sgian before so I spent some of my Christmas money and got myself a new scroll saw to help with this one.

Here is the ironwood and the blade on my new saw.

Here is the rough shape and two pewter bolsters.

I used a contour guage to get the dimension right.

It fits.....

Continued

**O'Neille** · 16th December 07, 03:11 AM

A couple views of the almost finished sgian. All I have to do is clean up a little epoxy ooze and apply a light coat of beeswax. The ironwood is so dense that this is the finish with 1000 grit and grey rouge on a wheel.

A few views of it in hand.

I still need to tool and sew a sheath. I've already added a coat of beeswax to the handle. Just in time for mailing on Monday.

**McMurdo** · 16th December 07, 04:33 AM

Very nice, I'm sure he will love it. I know I would.

**Amoskeag** · 16th December 07, 05:31 AM

That's really nice. I like the simplicity. Where did you get the hardware?
Bob

**O'Neille** · 16th December 07, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Amoskeag

Where did you get the hardware?
Bob

The blade is an Atlnanta Cutlery blade left over from a trade. Everything else I made.

**turpin** · 16th December 07, 07:13 AM

Wow. jut wow.

O'Neille, do you use a drill press to keep that hole centered in the handle? I don't see how I could keep a hand drill straight enough.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 16th December 07, 07:32 AM

You are AMAZING!

**Panache** · 16th December 07, 08:39 AM

O'Neille,

Simply gorgeous. The Ironwood needs no decoration and I think this might be your finest knife to date.

Have fun with your new scroll saw.

Cheers

Jamie

**Oldhiker** · 16th December 07, 09:04 AM

what is the function of the notches in the blade?

lovely wood, great workmanship !!

**JRB** · 16th December 07, 11:17 AM

Beautiful knife!

Originally Posted by Oldhiker

what is the function of the notches in the blade?

That is called jimping (I believed) and it is to allow purchase for your thumb when cutting. Sgian dubhs are extremely short gripped and don't really have enought room for a full palm on the handle. The jimping offers a very stable place for you to guide the blade through whatever medium you're tackling.