Using a Mora No. 1 as a Sgian Dubh

[uncle remus]

I purchased a knife made from a file a few years ago and was debating on using it as a sgian dubh. It has a dyed wood hilt and is about 6-8" overall. it's an anza model mc-9 with a leather belt sheath that covers about 1/2 of the hilt.

[rescout]

The width of the handle isn't true to the ideal, but it does keep the knife and sheath from slipping down into the sock.

As the Scots had a Nordic influence during the Viking era . . . why not!

[rescout]

A couple more.

[rescout]

I'm afraid I may have posted in the wrong sub forum. I don't think of a Mora is a "weapon", although some consider any usable knife a "weapon". A Mora is a utility knife. Certainly not akin to a dirk or a basket hilt sword. My apologies; I was rushing the post and should have read the rules carefully.

[Tasty Rabbit]

Being it's a wood grip you could shave down the side that goes against your leg for a better fit . Bwat I have no idea what anything on that page says but wow that knife looks great !

[Benning Boy]

Although I find the Mora #1 knives very handy, I own several, they seem to me a bit big to serve as stocking stuffers, although I can see how one might pass in a Scouting setting. I'd use one of the smaller Mora-type knives for the purpose, if I were going to use a traditional Mora. Look up Ragweed Forge for a great many options. Also check out this site: https://www.brisa.fi/portal/index.ph...&cPath=119_113 There are many blades there that could be used to make a sgian, but you'll have to dig for them, there are so many to chose from. Sure, they're Scandinavian blades, but remember that Scandinavians settled parts of the Highlands and the Islands, and became Highland clansmen in time. Sure that was well before the Lairds' 1930's cutoff date, but I'd be willing to call them THCD

[California Highlander]

I always thought a Mora 2/0 with some additional thinning of the handle would be just about right. 3" blade, 3 5/8" handle.

[rescout]

The No. 1 seemed to work fine, but a smaller Mora might be a dandy. I've just never got around to buying one. I have bought some Moras from Ragweed Forge (great guy) and it just happens that a local camping/prepper store has started stocking Mora knives . . . though not one of the small traditional versions. Thinning the wood handle of any traditional Mora is also an interesting idea. Some people like to do a bit of carving on their wood Mora handles, so that is always an option too on the outward facing side. For less than a "costume" sgian dubh, a fellow could get a Mora and experiment to his heart's content.

The "wet spot" on the handle in one of the pictures is just that. The weekend varied from misty to rainy, though not unpleasantly cold or windy.

Bwat, the Scandanavians make some fine knives, and the Swedish one at your link is indeed pretty.

I normally always have a Swiss Army knife in my pocket. With the kilt, I decided not to carry it in the sporran. So it was indeed useful to have the Mora tucked into a sock.

I was thumbing through an AG Russell catalog the other day, and so another knife that might make a good modern alternative to the traditional sgian dubh. The model names are "Hunter's Scalpel" and "Bird and Trout". They are good knives, reasonably priced, the sheath "thumbolt" is secure and easy to use (I have a larger version called the "Deer Hunter" that is apparently discontinued), and the handle is black, flat, and checkered for secure grip. If one used it tuck in a sock, I suppose you could sand the checkering some on the "leg" side of the handle.

[Benning Boy]

The Hunters Scalpels are pretty small, and apt to get lost in a stocking. Think fixed bladed pen knife. The Trout and Bird knives have a very small handle, although quite flat. I tried one once, but it was just too little for my large hand. It seemed no matter how hard I gripped, I never really got a proper hold on it. It felt unsafe to me. However, as a modern outdoorsman's version of the sgian, it would probably due. The thumb locks are very secure, and might make drawing from the stocking top a little more complicated than a traditional sgian, or even one of the Mora knives.

For me, it's hard to say what evolutionary forces drove the development of the sgian dubh. I think for a great many decades it has been purely decorative, any ancient practicality is lost. However, I can see that a Scouter would want, nae need a practical knife for doing camp chores. The Scandinavian type blades evolved to be utilitarian first and foremost. And even the most artfully made custom Scandinavian knives retain all the practical traits of the most basic knives. You can't say that about a Highland sgian dubh.

[Pothuset]

A Mora knife is a tool for craftsmen working with wood.