Show off your sgian dhu!

[Blu (Ontario)]

They look very nice Blu. Lovely fiddleback in the oak sheath and the deer anlter is very tidy. What's the stories behind these?

In late 2004, I purchased a sgian dubh at a local sword shop. After a short time, I discovered that it was very poorly assembled (considering what I'd paid for it). I took it apart, scrapped the cheap (painted) handle, made the new one with some materials I had on hand, and finished with several coats of marine varnish and beall buffed the works. The birds-eye maple came from a 75 year old bed frame that was de-commissioned. One of these days I plan to inlay a silver celtic cross or other design to finish it off.

The deer antler was purchased at
http://www.kilts.biz/
They had several to choose from... all one of a kind.

[Woodsheal]

Early type sgian (actually an "armpit dagger") by Glenn McClain:

[Woodsheal]

I'll add a dirk into the mix! Here's a ca. 1680 type, also by McClain:

[Woodsheal]

One last Glenn McClain blade. This is a "ball-quillon dirk", sometimes referred to as a "whinger." They were apparently a style unique to the northeast of Scotland:

[philbo]

Hooray! I finally got a sgian dubh! I haven't taken a picture yet, but I will, It ain't much compared to many of the fine blades I've seen posted here, but it's better than a sharp stick! And my viking sword just wouldn't fit in my sock, no matter how hard I tried! (There's a cartoon I'd like to see...)

[Joe Gondek]

I just got these three sgain dubhs finished last evening.
I was losing daylight so Itook the pictures before giving the blades a final polish.



Blades are high carbon steel from Sheffield,
mule deer antler handles with a poured pewter bolster.
The handles had bleached out white
but I stained them with Potassium permanginate and then
gave them linseed oil/beeswax finish

I still have to make sheaths for them




The sgain dubh on the the bottom of this picture
is one I made 30 years ago it has served me well
around camp and has even been used to dress game

Pouring a pewter bolster is easy,If anyone is interested I can supply instructions.

Two of these three sgains have already been traded for a badger hide
which is being made into a sporran that I've almost finished.
I will post pictures of it as soon as I'm done

[Mike S]

Lovely, solid and cleanly constructed Sgians you have there. THAT is what a daywear Sgian should look like, not with the cheap pot metal fittings, plastic "jewels" and clan badges emblazoned everywhere etc.

I just made a nice Stag horn handled Sgian myself, but with the Staghorn butt or "button" left at the top, and plain sterling silver fittings. I also made a cheaper version of the same that I won't be affraid to wear anywhere.

I'll post a photo in the next couple of days
Thanks for sharing the photos of your fine trio!

[Joe Gondek]

Mike S

Thanks for the kind words,
I just figure that a knife you carry should be useable

The blade must hold an edge and the
knife built strong enough for every day stuff

[herminator]

Brusletto Blade from Norway - feels fine with a freelander sporran! - that is sharp and holds its edge very well, the handle selfmade of waterbuffalo horn and cocobolo wood.
Not quite the classical sgian dubh design, but it fits into my hand , the flat backside fits against my leg, I like it!

[ozmeath]

Lovely, solid and cleanly constructed Sgians you have there. THAT is what a daywear Sgian should look like, not with the cheap pot metal fittings, plastic "jewels" and clan badges emblazoned everywhere etc.

I just made a nice Stag horn handled Sgian myself, but with the Staghorn butt or "button" left at the top, and plain sterling silver fittings. I also made a cheaper version of the same that I won't be affraid to wear anywhere.

I'll post a photo in the next couple of days
Thanks for sharing the photos of your fine trio!

Hey Mike I'd love to see that sgian dubh if you haven't already posted it elswhere, sounds great.
Erin.