Two sgian dubh

**MT4Runner** · 28th December 11, 10:25 PM

These are two blade blanks I cut from a diamond saw blade with my plasma cutter a few months ago, but haven't had time to forge anything out of them.

Didn't get any pics of forging a few weeks back. Instead of going 100% stock removal, I forged a taper into one side of each blade.

Epoxied cherry scales onto both.

The sanded blade and bright, unstained cherry was a bit boring, so I decided to try two different "antiquing" techniques I've read about. The blades were "mustard patina'ed", and the cherry is "ebonized".

The bright blades:

To Ebonize wood with high natural tannin content (redwood, cedar, oak, cherry, walnut), you dissolve steel in vinegar. Since I'd already been sanding my blades to get the grind marks out, I already had a lot of fine steel in my sandpaper, so I just put a dash of vinegar on a small plate and washed the steel filings off the paper. :laughing:

**MT4Runner** · 28th December 11, 10:26 PM

Apply the steel/vinegar solution to the sanded cherry handles.

It gets darker

And as it dries out, you add more and it gets darker

And darker

I wasn't sure if I'd ever use these for food prep, so I oiled them with olive oil...and it made them even darker!

**MT4Runner** · 28th December 11, 10:27 PM

Mustard patina is easy.
Put mustard on dry blade

The thin spots are where it rusts fastest

Wait and it gets deeper

Fresh water rinse takes a lot of grimy rust off and leaves a nice layer of oxidation.

This is supposed to prevent bad pitting.

**MT4Runner** · 28th December 11, 10:28 PM

I'm pretty happy with how these turned out

**MT4Runner** · 28th December 11, 10:28 PM

The larger one is close to 8" long--roughly half handle and half blade...but I'm a tall guy, so I've got room to carry it!

**Jock Scot** · 28th December 11, 10:44 PM

Wow, well done. I am one of those that cannot knock a nail in straight,dammit, but I really love the "tricks of the trade" tips, if only fom a; "how do they do that?" point of view. Thank you.

**Thomas H** · 29th December 11, 10:54 AM

Great Job ,I have been thinking of making my own as well , But maybe later.

It is nice to have these pictures to go by ... Great Job

**auld argonian** · 29th December 11, 11:05 AM

If I need any antique armor or weapons forged, I know who to call...

Might I suggest the use of walnut oil as an alternative to the olive oil? Walnut is classed as a drying type of oil as opposed to olive, which is classed as non-drying. Since I started using the walnut in painting, I've found lots of uses for it and you can get it as a food type or a painting medium type.

Best

AA