Double review: Custom sgian dubh & 8-yard Tartanweb kilt

[ShaunMaxwell]

I recently acquired a couple of new items and wanted to share reviews of both.

The first is a custom sgian dubh, which was made by Adriaan Gerber of Maine (http://www.adriaangerberknives.com/). I stumbled across his website one day and was struck by the elegant simplicity of his designs. I emailed him to inquire about the cost of a sgian similar to the 9 CM sgian he had pictured on his site, and was informed that it would be $95, and the sheath would be an additional $25. I was amazed at the price, considering that Adriaan does everything by hand, using no electrical devices when producing his knives.

The knife in the photo that intrigued me had a cocobolo handle and brass bolsters. I asked for african blackwood and nickel silver and was told that that would be no problem. I posted a small deposit (20%) to cover the cost of materials, and he began work on my sgian within a few days. He sent me periodic updates and photos of progress (which can be seen in this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/n...x.html?t=54233)

About a month after my initial contact with Adriaan, I received the finished product, and it is a beauty. Very simple, clean lines. I'd asked that the bolsters be left matte to contrast the highly polished 5160 steel blade. The overall length of the sgian is 7.25" with a 3.5" blade. Unlike many sgians, the tang of this blade runs the length of the handle and is peened at the butt of the knife, which makes it a bit sturdier.

Needless to say, I'm very happy with this sgian. I thought I'd share this information with my fellow X-markers who might be in search of a sgian. I figure if you can have a handmade, custom, workable sgian for the price of less than many of the purely decorative knives available, several folks might be interested.

Adriaan was a pleasure to deal with, and I couldn't be happier with the sgian. If you should end up contacting him, please tell him I referred you. One of these days I'm going to check back with him (perhaps when I order a dirk! ) and see if this review generated any business for him. HA!

Pictures follow (incidentally, the first photo on his website is of my sgian...):

Sgian and sheath:



Butt of sgian:



Size relative to hand:



My second recent acquisition was an 8-yard 16 oz. Marton Mills Jura range machine made kilt in Smith ancient colors from TartanWeb.

I'd priced this kilt with Bob Chalmers (aka "Bobilishious") before he got out of the kilt business. Bob referred me to a colleague, John Paul MacDougall of TartanWeb, with whom I dealt.

I ordered the kilt in late August and was given an estimated delivery date of early October. About the middle of October, I began to get a bit anxious that I hadn't yet received the kilt, nor had I heard anything from J.P. After a bit of difficulty in contacting him (problems with the firms spam filter dumping emails...), I was informed that my kilt had been completed, but was having to be remade because the kiltmaker had pleated the kilt to the sett, rather than the stripe as I'd requested. TartanWeb said they would send the kilt via Fedex to get it to me in time for an upcoming highland games, as they typically ship via Parcelforce. I told J.P. that if they chose to send it via Fedex, that they'd be liable for any resulting customs. Shortly thereafter, I received the kilt via Fedex and have yet to see any customs invoice (it's been three weeks now...).

The kilt is very well made and heavy. The sett for the tartan is large, so I wasn't sure they'd even be able to pleat it to the stripe, but they did. The resulting pleats are 4.5" deep.

Despite a couple of minor setbacks in communications, I'm very happy with the kilt and the service that TartanWeb provided and will definitely be purchasing from them again. I don't know of anyplace else where you can get a kilt of this quality for a price tag of $289 delivered.

Pictures follow:

[dfmacliam]

You have done very well Shuan... I am going to check out your sgian makers site... and your kilt... very nice.. Congrats on two very good purchases.. its a very good example of getting quality items on a decent budget.

[piperdbh]

Oooohh...

[svc40bt]

That sgian is absolutely gorgeous. I may have some business for him. The kilt is very handsome as well. Like the pleating to the red stripe.

[Highlander31]

Very nice sgian. I'll be checking his website a little later. I wonder, if he is related to the Gerber Legendary Blades out of the Northwest? I carried one of their knives for many years.

Nice kilt as well. Congratulations.

[Ryan Ross]

A couple of fine aquisitions, indeed!

That sgian is really something. A couple of questions for you:

Just how sharp is it, and if you've used it yet, how well does it hold it's edge?

How tightly does it fit in the sheath?

Congrats again, sir!

[KD Burke]

I'm a great believer in "functional beauty". The sgian truly reflects that principle. Simple, elegant design. I like it!

As to the kilt, I also like the pleating to the red stripe. Good choice.

All in all, a fine pair of acquisitions!

KD:ootd:

[ShaunMaxwell]

Highlander31, I don't believe that Adriaan has any connection with the Gerber knives folks, and I too am a fan of their blades. I believe that Adriaan is a native of South Africa. Who knows though...

Ryan Ross, the sgian arrived sharpened and is pretty sharp. You can definitely cut things with it, as it arrived with a small section of phone book that had been cut out with the knife. I haven't used it enough to yet have an idea of how well it will hold an edge. The 5160 steel from which it's made is reputed to be a very good steel for knives and swords, but I'd imagine that the heat treating methods might deterimine a good bit of it's edge holding capabilities... Time will tell. I'm probably going to take it to a knife shop and have it professionally sharpened, as I have little skill when it comes to sharpening knives, and I want this blade to be as frighteningly sharp as another I had made a year or so ago (http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...x.html?t=41851). The sheath fits tightly enough that it doesn't fall of the blade, but can easily be drawn from it.

[ChubRock]

I am very impressed with both the dirk and the kilt. Those are beautiful and make me quite jealous. Congratulations, you have chosen wisely.

[ForresterModern]

Having two kilts from Scottishkilts.net (tartanweb sister store) i have been impressed with their quality and workmanship, and generally their turnaround tiem. I have a third on order from them in a custom weave that has been awaiting arrival for 6 months now and i am beginning to get a little worried, with no responses to emails.

Cognrats on your new acquisitions--the kilt looks grand.