Jonesing a Sgian Dubh

[BEEDEE]

Saw O'Neille's recent post and Panache's pictures and decided to make a sgian dubh (actually two!). Bought two blades from Atlanta Cutlery - one damascus and one steel, and wood blocks and jade from Jantz Supply. Just been notified that both orders have shipped!

Will work on the plain blade first to figure out any problems, then the damascus. The jade is to honor my New Zealand heritage - NZ has an indigenous jade called greenstone that was used by the Maoris for ornamentation and jewelry and continues to be used as jewelry today.

Here is a sketch of the design.

Any of the rabble who have advice are welcome to post - this will be a first for me.

Brian

[Mumbles]

I'd be interested to see how this works out. It sounds like quite a cool project. I like the idea of including your New Zealand heritage into it. Sounds like it will make quite the Sgian Dubh

[djweso]

I like the design. Looks like the beginnings of wonderful project.

Take LOTS of pictures. We wanna ride along with you every step of the way, or at least I do. This is something I would love to do eventually, but don't have the never to start yet.

[BEEDEE]

Handle materials came today. Here's a photo:



From left - ebony for the damascus blade, ziricote for the plain blade, and jade for the top/bottom of the handle.

Hopefully the blades will come tomorrow.

Brian

[Arlen]

It looks like it will be beautiful. I can't wait to see the pics.

[O'Neille]

I like your materials. I had my dad bring me some Alaskan jade that I'll be using one of these days, if I can remember where I put it.

[BEEDEE]

Yeh!! Blades arrived today. Both are 3/4" x 3 1/2" with a 3 3/4" tang. Damascus blade has some nice figuring, the photo does not do it justice.



Next is to cut the holes in the handle blocks and rough shape the handles and the jade. Should be able to do this over the coming weekend.

Brian

[BEEDEE]

Some progress today - drilled the handle for the plain blade, cut the jade and assembled to first knife. Had to shorten the tang as I wanted the handle to be only 3 1/2 in overall. Used my Dremel tool to cut an angled recess in the jade to allow for the angle. Jade is interesting, it's obviously synthetic and drills and cuts easily. Will be interesting to see how it polishes up.



Got out the trusty 5 minute epoxy and glued them together. Did not worry about the glue running as there is quite a lot of sanding to do yet.

Here's the glued up knife:


Plan to give the epoxy overnight to set up before starting to shape the handle. Will keep posting.

Brian

[Sean_the_Kilted]

Its looking great. Is the jade very hard to cut and work with?

[Tartan Hiker]

Looks great so far.


Exotic woods are tough on the lungs, so don't forget the respirator when sanding. And who knows whats in that "jade" material! I wouldn't want it in my lungs, that's for sure.