Bog oak texture on Sgian Dubh handles

**bish** · 9th April 13, 09:30 PM

Hi all,

I recently ordered a bog oak Sgian Dubh kit from Rainnea.com. Two actually, one with a blade and the other for a Sgian Brew. I'm going to be making them for my wedding in October. I have some really nice Michigan cherry wood collected near my grandparents farm that I'm going to use on the ends.

My question is if anyone has any advice on how to bring out the Bog Oak texture like this Sgian Dubh from Comrie-Crafts:

http://www.scottishsgiandubhs.co.uk/...tail=91&show=3

Any other advice on Sgian Dubh crafting is welcome as well.

Thanks,

- Bish

**GrainReaper** · 9th April 13, 11:06 PM

I have used light bit of sandblasting to get wood grain to "pop"' this might be a technique you might want to look into.

I would try experimenting on other wood chunks a bit before messing with an old chunk of bog oak..

**artificer** · 10th April 13, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by bish

...

My question is if anyone has any advice on how to bring out the Bog Oak texture like this Sgian Dubh from Comrie-Crafts:

http://www.scottishsgiandubhs.co.uk/...tail=91&show=3

Thanks,

- Bish

If you can find some OLD White Oak with a wave to the grain it might give you a similar look. You could fume or vinegaroon the wood and then finish it with a very light coat of dark wax.

ith:

**MacGowan** · 10th April 13, 07:46 AM

The only method I can think of that would work, is GrainReaper's suggestion of sand / bead blasting it very lightly, a bit at a time, using very fine beads (grit) until you reach the desired result.

**Llama** · 10th April 13, 12:40 PM

I bought a sgian brew kit from Rab with the bog oak a few months ago. First thing (that no one told me, but will be good to know,) is that it's really hard to work with. Really hard. This stuff is half-petrified and is more like carving stone than wood.

I shaped it using rotary rasps on my Dremel, and it took a LONG time. The sawdust smelled like burning peat - like an Islay whisky gone terribly awry. The rasps actual bore away at the softer wood first and left a bit of a grain, I exaggerated the effect with a wire brush. It wasn't as good as the one that you linked to, but I liked the effect.

I'll try to remember to take a picture tonight.

**bish** · 11th April 13, 08:03 AM

Thanks all for the suggestions, my pieces arrived yesterday, (faster than I expected), really nice quality both the bog oak and the blade and bottle opener, the bog oak is such a beautiful color!

My plan is to get some similar wood and practice before I start on the bog oak. I think even if I don't get that texture on the bog oak it's going to look really great. I have a Dremel so I will try your suggestion Llama. Would love to see a picture of your finished sgian brew if you do get a chance!

Thanks again everyone!

- Bish

**Llama** · 12th April 13, 02:24 PM

Here's the Sgian Brew that I made. It's very plain with no ornamentation, but I think I like it like that. I might feel the urge to carve more on it someday.