Sgian for a bet...

[Raptor]

I was challenged on Sunday afternoon that I couldn't build a sgian dubh under very limited conditions. The terms were that:
a: It couldn't cost me more than $10 completed
b: I was not to use any material already on hand
c: I have a week to complete it, in spite of my working until 8pm nightly.

Never being one to refuse a challenge, I took the bet on. Although I've done a fair bit of metalwork, & am used to tempering processes etc, I have never before built a knife of any description. So far, it's coming along OK considering the materials I used, but good, bad, or indifferent, the mate who bet me is going to inherit the result!

Scrounged some hardwood from the local door manufacturer. Should be enough for a few handles/scabbards!


Down the local Chinese gift shop. A "chef's" knife for $1.50


The blade marked for cutting

[Raptor]

15 minutes with an angle grinder the rough cut is finished


The rough finished components


Loose fitted

[McMurdo]

That looks great, your mate is a lucky guy, very generous of you. There is way too much talent on this board.

[elitekiltedcommando]

Impressive. Good job.

[Kilted KT]

looks like you will win this bet! what were the stakes?

[pdcorlis]

Jaw dropping in stunned silence... WW.

[O'Neille]

Smoly Hokes! Great. Very ingenious use of the existing blade curve and keeping the temper of the existing blade intact. Very nice carving work too.

[Raptor]

looks like you will win this bet! what were the stakes?

Absolutely nothing! Sportsman's wager only, but seeing that Colin is forever giving me stuff, it was a pleasure to take the bet.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Looks great! And I agree that using the existing blade was a great idea. So your total cost for materials is $1.50 by my reckoning. I think that you should get a bonus for doing it so cheaply and in keeping with Scottish values of thrift.

[solstice]

If you don't mind, I am so going to steal that idea! That is absolutely brilliant!