What is a good traditional wood for a Jacobite dirk?

**MacBean** · 28th January 12, 01:41 PM

Impressive link, thanks. http://www.lochnessorigins.com/acata...omponents.html

has knife handle blanks, including bog oak!

**Brasilikilt** · 28th January 12, 03:43 PM

Hey everyone!

Well, I just got off the phone with the local rare/exotic hardwoods dealer and he says that he hasn't had bog oak for 15 years, and that last board he sold to a blade smith!

An internet search for Bog Oak turning blanks shows a lot of wood that looks similar to African Blackwood.....The aforementioned wood store has turning blanks of the right size for less than $10...It's not what I would call native to Scotland, but seemingly it was available back then, but probably not all that common.

Sorbus/Rowan/Mountain Ash....I'm aware that it grows here in Portland, and know where more than a few saplings are growing....One of which would make a fantastic Bata....But since they're planted in a nursery ran by the parks bureau, I have decided not to go dig any up :-)

This thread prompted me to do a bit of reading about different tree species. I discovered that Dogwood is also known as 'false boxwood'.
The wood I was using came off of a hedge that was being trimmed, and the guys cutting the hedge referred to it as a 'boxwood'. Also, a wood shop employee confirmed that it was boxwood, but changed his mind after he saw grain pattern.
Me not knowing the species, simply referred to it as 'Oregon Boxwood', and think it would be funny to use the 'false' boxwood for another handle.
The dirk's owner was totally fine with this, but I'll call him to get his opinion and preference based on what's been suggested.

I've seriously gotten a lot out of this thread, thanks so much for your feedback!

**Mark E.** · 2nd February 12, 07:18 PM

I came across a feller at a rendezvous once that used tap root chunks from yew trees on dirks and hunting swords of the era (1680-1750)...That is some hard stuff, and does not slick up in the hand.

Mark

**Brasilikilt** · 7th February 12, 08:56 AM

I've kept my eyes open for uprooted trees, and have only seen our plentiful fir trees that have been blown down. Fir isn't the best dirk handle material....
Yew would be great, and would love to get my hands on yew, oak, rowan and a bunch of other roots to make handles.

**Joe Gondek** · 8th February 12, 05:48 PM

I know that it isn't wood,
but a spike elk antler would make a good handle
filed smooth and stained with tea it can give an ivory appearance

Cherry carves easily and takes stain well

**BEEDEE** · 11th February 12, 06:56 PM

Try swamp kauri. It's a New Zealand wood and available here in the USA. My next sgian is going to have a handle of this. Straight grain, and good color.

/here is some info about the wood: http://www.ancientkauri.co.nz/index....tract_raw_logs

And a US source: http://www.ancientwood.com/

Brian

**Copperheid** · 16th May 12, 02:31 PM

If you are looking for yew stumps, check Traditional Archery-not for a bowstave, but for a bowstave dealer. Not many use the roots, but know where to find them.

**H. Hastings** · 22nd May 12, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Brasilikilt

An internet search for Bog Oak turning blanks shows a lot of wood that looks similar to African Blackwood.....The aforementioned wood store has turning blanks of the right size for less than $10...It's not what I would call native to Scotland, but seemingly it was available back then, but probably not all that common.

Bog oak has a very different grain than African Blackwood. Bog oak is simply oak that has been buried in a peat bog for a looooong time. It still has the same open grain as oak. You can simulate bog oak by soaking the oak in a solution of vinegar and steel wool or ferrous sulfate and water. Both of these will react with the tannins in the wood and turn it black. Make sure you have shaped and sanded the grip before soaking as the effect does not penetrate into the wood very far.