Dirk

[Glamrockdj]

I have a nice dirk, a bit plain but it looks good, I was thinking of getting a new one but I thought about replacing the handle.

Now the easiest way for me would be if someone here knows if anyone makes them and how easy it would be to replace the handle or would I just be better off getting a new one.

I would prefer some kind of horn made handle.

Thanks in advance.

[alikws]

How is that dirk put together? With riveted scales like a green river knife, a tang driven into a turned handle like a plug bayonet, or washers stacked, then fastened with a pommel, like a k-bar?

[osric the pale]

post a pic and then we'll know how to proceed...thanx
~oz

[Glamrockdj]

I'm a total novice when it comes to thing like this so here's some photos as suggested.

[osric the pale]

wow...i'm not sure i'd change a thing on that one !!!It looks like a threaded pommel cap to me, you should be able to twirl it off and remoce the hilt fairly easily, but i'd just get a blade and start fresh...that one is a beutiful dirk

[ChattanCat]

It looks like it might be a full tang blade. Does the very top knob unscrew?

[Thomas]

Hi,
It´s a CasIberia dirk, right?. I got one as my first dirk. But to be historically accurate the handle is much too thick and far too long. I shortened mine by cutting away the pommel cap. It´s brazed, not screwed. I sawed it off, after that the pommel,too (you´ll need it again) Then I sawed the grip off at 2`from the top. Stop sawing when you feel touching the tang. After that I cracked the waste material off. Then you will be able to tap the tang. Put on the sawn-off pommel again and fix it with a new brass nut. In the end you´ll just have to shape it as you like it. I gave a simple carving to my own one.
I´ll try to post some pics soon.
Regards
Thomas

By the way- That celic stone in your pictures looks really fantastic. Is it your own work?

[Charlie Mc.]

Atlanta cutlery sells dirk blades for 16.96 get one and then work on a handle. Leave your current blade be.

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/atlant...il.aspx?ID=824

[Glamrockdj]

Thanks guys, I bow to your experience and will leave it alone. I was at Culloden this weekend and saw some lovely Dirks and it just got me thinking.

I've never done anything like this before but I may well get a blade and see what I can do.

I've tried unscrewing the bolt at the end but it doesn't seem to want to budge.

The stone was carved by a good friend of mine called Ron Henderson, he has a page on my site here

http://www.thesonsofscotland.co.uk/ronsstones.html

[Charlie Mc.]

cas iberia often epoxies their handles in place. The only way to get them off if this is done is to chisel them off.