Handiwork

[Piper]

I posted a reply in the Accessories forum a while ago, about a sgain dubh I'd made. Someone asked about a picture. Finally found a shot of 3 knives that I completed at that time. The dirk has a damascus blade, the wooden handled sgain dubh was made with a blade from Atlanta Cutlery (the damascus blade came from them as well). The antler handled sgain dubh was made using a blade made by a gent named Morris Taylor. Excellent piece of steel. I made the dirk and the wooden handled sgain dubh to give out as prizes in the Highland Games at the 2002 NRLHF Eastern Primitive Rendezvous. I run the Highland games at one or two of our local events, and the Eastern when it's in my area. The antler handled sgain dubh I made for myself.
All three of the knives have poured pewter bolsters, and the two wooden handled ones have poured pewter pommels as well

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I'm glad that you posted the pictures. There's NO WAY that you could have put these babies into words and done them any justice!

That lower one would be GREAT with one of Bear's Grizzly-Cut kilts!

[Big Dave]

Great looking Sgian Dugh's. I love the the Dirk at the top, "now that's a knife".

[Archangel]

Thanks, pretty sure it was me that asked for the pics. They're beatifully made knives. The wood looks really nice, not so traditional, but realistic so probably more traditional. You must have made a couple of participants very happy.

Two questions, if you don't mind: were you happy with Atlanta Cutlery's steel? I"m about to place an order with them. Can you tell me, us, something about the poured pewter process? I've got a rough idea but I've never done it. Thanks again.

[Ranald]

Excellent work, I like the two sharps with the wooden handles best.

[Blu (Ontario)]

These pieces are great! What finish did you apply to the wood? Also, I too am curious to know more about the poured pewter process. Willing to share your secrets?? :mrgreen:

blu

[cavscout]

Awesome woork Piper!

[Piper]

Thanks for the approval folks. Got to be careful though, tough enough to find a balmoral to fit this punkin as it is.
Archangel, I've used Atlanta Cutlery blades several times. They certainly seem to be worth the money to me. I've had some blades made by individual blacksmiths or bladesmiths that will hold an edge a bit better, but it's hard to beat the price, and they hold up fine for regular usage.
I took the poured pewter process from a book. "The Complete How-to Book of Indian Crafts" by W. Ben Hunt. The project I adapted from was making a camp knife. Hunt lived with the Sioux for a time, back around the turn of the century, and put his accumulated handicraft knowledge into a book. My copy is a 1978 printing (I believe the 7th printing) from Collier books.
It's a fairly simple process. I rough shape the handles, drill them through for the tang. In the case of a tapered tang, I do a bit of work with a long bladed 1/8" chisel to shape the channel. I file or grind (depending on the hardness of the tang) a couple of notches in the tang for the pewter to "bite" into, then I drill and cut, with a coping saw or jewelers saw the keyhole cutouts in the end of the handle to anchor the pewter. I place the blade in the handle. In the case of a large handle like the dirk I usually pack some epoxy putty deep into the handle to hold it centered, and to cut down on the amount of pewter needed. I pour the bolster first (blade end of the handle). I tie a heavy paper collar around the top of the handle, heat the handle and blade with a heat gun, and pour in the molten pewter. Once cooled, I remove the paper and finish it with files, and progressivly finer grades of abrasive until I have the finish I want. The pommel end is poured the same way, its' just easier to finish since you don't have to worry about damaging the blade. In the case of an antler crown handle, no pommel is needed. Once the handle is shaped, I usually apply an oil finish. The pieces that I make, I make to be used. I try to use steel that will take an edge readily, and hold it well, and handle materials that are easy to keep clean and finished well. I've got 8 to 10 blades sitting up in my den right now, waiting till I have time to get them finished, including a couple of narrow dagger blades that I think would make great bone handled "sgain ochlas". I may try some scrimshaw on them, like I've done on a couple of powder horns I've made.
Hope the information is useful. Jump on in. The materials are fairly cheap, all you're really risking is some time.

[Archangel]

cool, thanks, that's a different process than I thought you'd use. So,there's a channel down the tang to fill the mould, is that right? I was thinking of an article on a Vietnamese maker who used jeep springs for blades and shells for brass castings after the war. He had a soft stone mould for his fittings.

It's good to have an endorsement of Atlanta Cutlery's blades. The price isn't bad but if there's a problem, I have to ship back across the border and that's an expense. I'll order three blades in the morning, or as soon as I can get through. I have to fax or phone to have them ship to Canada.