Sgian Dubh #3 in progress

**MacGowan** · 30th November 12, 11:14 AM

A couple of years ago, after I retired, I worked part time in a gun shop. A very nice older Hawaiian gentleman came in one day with his grandsons. He had come over to the mainland for a family visit. During a friendly conversation we discovered we each a passion for woodworking. I do custom rifle stock work and he builds furniture.

He asked me if I had ever used Koa Wood (Native to Hawaii). I told him that I had heard of it, but had never worked with it. About two weeks later, surpisingly, a Priority parcel came into the shop adressed to me, in care of the shop. Inside were two 2" x 10" x 16" slabs of Koa Wood with a note from the Hawaiian gentleman thanking me for the interesting conversation and pleasant visit.

I decided to pair it up with Ebony in my next Sgian Dubh. I'm slowing getting it shaped between other projects. I put some mineral spirits on the Koa to see how it would finish. It looks like flames. Absolutely beautiful wood.

The sketch is what the intended result , I hope, will be...

119_1592.JPG 119_1595.JPG

**auld argonian** · 30th November 12, 11:21 AM

Koa is very desirable in ukulele's....and priced accordingly. Love the sketch...I assume that the inlay will be the ebony?

Best

AA

**MacGowan** · 30th November 12, 11:39 AM

AA,
The Ebony is the black piece at the bolster in the photo. The inlay will be carved Water Buffalo horn and Elk antler.

Thanks...

Ron

**McFarkus** · 30th November 12, 12:32 PM

The wood is so beautiful, I'd omit the inlay. Spectacular color.

**TheOfficialBren** · 30th November 12, 01:41 PM

Nice!

**MacGowan** · 1st December 12, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by McFarkus

The wood is so beautiful, I'd omit the inlay. Spectacular color.

The more I look at it, the more I think you may be right. I'll have to re-think the inlay.

Thanks...

**MacGowan** · 14th March 13, 06:48 PM

After being sidetracked for a couple of months. I finally got it finished. I decided to go with an inlay. I'm going to give it to my Daughter's Beau for a gift to his best man. My compensation will be a couple of bottles of fine single malt, of his choice.

Ron