Customizing a commercial sgian dubh?

**Troglodyte** · 22nd September 21, 01:27 AM

John Nowill & Sons Ltd have been cutlers since the late 1600s, getting formal recognition from the guild in 1700. The company has gone through many generations, and was limited in 1927.

Sheffield steel is still considered highly desirable, and the Nowill name can be taken as a mark of quality.

The quality is in the steel of the blade - not necessarily the construction or materials of the sgian as a whole, but it is unlikely a high quality blade will be used in a shoddy sgian.

The tang is likely to be about half the length of the blade, and tapering slightly, so it ought to be easy enough to dismantle the sgian you have, and remount the blade with a handle of your choice. There are several Scottish sgian makers who supply components, including ready-made tooled-leather sheaths, antler and wooden handle blanks.

**Navy87Guy** · 22nd September 21, 05:06 PM

That’s great to know…they seem like decent blades, but I know looks can be deceiving!

Hunting season is coming up…I’ll see if I can source my own antler before I start looking for other options.

**MurrayInGA** · 23rd September 21, 05:49 AM

I did something similar recently. Bought a cheap blade for the nickel silver fittings and ss blade and made my own wood handle and sheath. Came out nice. Would probably buy a nicer full tang blade if I were to do it again. Saw another thread on making a blade on here recently as well, will definitely try in the future. Best of luck!

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...w-sgian-97324/

**stickman** · 28th September 21, 02:55 PM

I used to make sgians duhb and have more hand carved handles than I know what to do with. I can no longer make the blades due to age and ailments. If you can let me know what kind of pattern you want I'll see what I have and send you one for free. If the tang is too short you can solder on a piece of all thread. All my sgians were made with through tangs and fastened in place. with a nut. You can email me at bagpiper66@bellsouth.net
Stickman (Ray).

**Navy87Guy** · 1st October 21, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by stickman

I used to make sgians duhb and have more hand carved handles than I know what to do with. I can no longer make the blades due to age and ailments. If you can let me know what kind of pattern you want I'll see what I have and send you one for free. If the tang is too short you can solder on a piece of all thread. All my sgians were made with through tangs and fastened in place. with a nut. You can email me at bagpiper66@bellsouth.net
Stickman (Ray).

Thanks for the offer - and sorry for the delayed reply. For some reason, I didn’t see it!

Let me get into the project and get the old handle off to see what the tang looks like. I’m not very confident in my brazing skills, but I might give it a shot!

**stickman** · 2nd October 21, 03:00 PM

Hi navy guy, stickman again. If you braze extra length onto your heat treated blade don't forget to put a heat sink between the heat source and the blade. I lay my blades on a fire brick and put a heavy piece of steel over the blade and all but about a half inch of the tang. Good luck

**Navy87Guy** · 2nd October 21, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by stickman

Hi navy guy, stickman again. If you braze extra length onto your heat treated blade don't forget to put a heat sink between the heat source and the blade. I lay my blades on a fire brick and put a heavy piece of steel over the blade and all but about a half inch of the tang. Good luck

See…you’re making me nervous again!