Early Dirk,

[MacRob]

LRobinson Dirk 5_800x600.jpgLRobinson Dirk 6_800x600.jpgLRobinson Dirk 4_800x600.jpg Here are some photos of my Vince Evans dirk. I may have posted them before just cannot remember. These were taken by Vince when he was making the dirk and he sent them to me via e-mail. That was three years ago and since carrying the dirk here and there it has picked up some scratches and dings but still looks great. He also does an antiqued version at the same cost. This dirk, which I wear on my right hip so as not to get tangled up with the sword, is hung edge - to - rear in the sheath. My personal belief, based on some research is that most Highlanders wore the dirk to the front, along side the sporran. For a right - handed man, drawing from the hip, the back of the blade would be forward.

I have seen some debate as to whether the Highlander wanted to cut upward or downward with the blade. Since the dirk seems to be primarily a stabbing weapon, but with a very sharp edge, either orientation of the blade would seem to work. Christopher Thompson, in his Highland Knife Fighting with the Dirk and Sgian, opts for the edge to be out when the dirk is in use. If the dirk were to be drawn with the left hand, while holding a sword in the right hand then the edge would be facing out automatically when it was drawn, if the blade is carried as it is in the sheath of my Evans dirk. Sorry if that is murky and ask for clarification if you like.