Hand made kit

[TheOfficialBren]

Dranoweb, the praise is certainly deserved, my friend. It looks like you have spent a lot of time and effort. The Tree of Life design is among my favourites in Celtic art. I've made a couple of belts (I have one and Nathan, another X-Marker, has one) with a three strand knotweave. Lots of work. A four-strand is even moreso. Well done, indeed.

Re: the Cherokee, we seem to have spread out across the globe.
I am always delighted to come across fellow Cherokee of other nationalities...kind of like being partly of Scottish heritage. I'm from outwith Scotland but I still treasure those roots. An American-born Irish fiance of partial Cherokee heritage--that will be one for the grandkids, mate!

[Hopper250]

Great work, I agree leave the knot work it looks fantastic as is.

[Dranoweb]

I have a new batch of photos - I revisited my methods, and made an alignment jig, and increased my guide holes to 4.
the new runs are perfect!.

Kept the design the same as per advice, and did some fill on my first prototype.
Also have a 3rd mild steel blade as it's a little easier to work than the stainless. Although when I took the photo's this one still had MDF stuck in the design from the molding process (the yellow stuff)

Top: original with epoxy and graphite fill (sparkles in the sun)
Middle: 2nd attempt with better alignment
Bottom: mild steel blade - with MDF still stuck in the detailing.
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Freshly cracked mold - very happy!
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Casting sgian dubh MK-II
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The new methods in use
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Positioning the tang - took a bit of patience
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I'm also working on a blunt, mini-sgian dubh for my little nephew as he will be kitted up as well. Planning on making an acrylic handle to lighten it up so he doesn't loose it from his tiny socks. I have filled similar designs before in the same resin, so it should match, but will adopt a 2nd colour tone according to whatever it's placed against.
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[Dranoweb]

I've made a couple of belts (I have one and Nathan, another X-Marker, has one) with a three strand knotweave. Lots of work. A four-strand is even moreso. Well done, indeed.

I'd be quite interested to see some of your work too. I'm planning on making some leather punches with a variation of my casting methods soon.

[Dranoweb]

A bit more advice if anyone is willing:

I have been tasked to make a few kilt pins/sash pins - I'm thinking of going with the variant of a triskel in a round broach-like presentation.

is there anything special I need to know when pinning a kilt? - other than not to pin both layers together?

[Hopper250]

I asked a similar question and here is the thread

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...lt-pins-80235/

The conclution use tie tack style backs and get the locking closures for them. You won't loose your pin or damage the under apron.

[fluter]

Rare earth magnets are also highly regarded (no holes in fabric).

[Carlo]

Rare earth magnets are also highly regarded (no holes in fabric).

By some. Others reported, that they became attached to their cars in an unwanted manner.

[Steve Ashton]

The Art Pewter Company makes a Sgain very similar to this.

Great minds think alike.

Art Pewter Sgain.jpg

[Dranoweb]

some good reading there.
I have a design on the go based on the treskelle - will post a pic later.

I have an abundance of rare earth magnets retrieved from the voice coils of old PC HDD's,
but probably not so suitable in shape.

I found at my local military surplus store that they have Kilt pins, that look a little like giant safety pins.
I have done a little work to debur the points as they looked like they would completely shag the fabric if used in factory state.

I'm considering using one of these as the backing. I'm given to understand that it's the weight that holds the kilt down, and not the pin restraining it?

as for the design, that looks familiar, possibly one of the many images I looked at when considering my design options.