New sgian dubh

[demobud]

I finally did it. I gave in and ordered the Rab Gordon sgian dubh I have had my eye on for lo these many months.



It is Culloden Bog oak with a Carrick knot and damascus blade.
I really like the simplicity of the design and the wood color is awesome.


(Rab, I hope you don't mind if I borrowed your picture.)

[McMurdo]

Congratulations, I was looking at that one myself, enjoy it.

[BEEDEE]

Nice one - Rab does good work.

Brian

[Raptor]

I'm jealous! I want one of Rab's badly. One day, the highland yew will be mine

[Rab Gordon]

Thank you, that's a new design and I haven't had any feedback on it yet so very I'm glad that you like it.
Will post it tomorrow,
Rab

[Arlen]

Gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous.

[ardchoille]

That's beautiful! I really like the design on the handle.

[Hamner]

My apologies for bumping an old thread, and I couldn't agree more that your new (or I suppose it's now somewhat new) dubh is quite beautiful.

I'm actually toying with the idea of buying one for myself, and Mr. MacDougall highly recommended Rab's as well. He jokingly referred to them as "the Cadillac of Sgian Dubhs", and a Caddy is well out of this public servant's budget. I'm looking in the range of $50 - $75 and would like a knife that is sharp or will take an edge as I'll use this in place of a pocketknife on occasion. Could I beg a recommendation or three from you kind souls?

[demobud]

Hamner, welcome!
I have to say I was hesitant to spend too much on a sgian dubh, so I purchased a less expensive model first (not a Rab Gordon). It is a decent enough looking knife, but it came with a very dull stainless blade that has taken a long time to work an egde on. I ordered the culloden from Rab on the faith that the blade would be of much better quality, and I have not been disappointed. I spent a little time last night honing it with my wetstone and it takes and keeps and edge very well. Try to look for a knife with a carbon steel blade as it will be easier to pull an edge; stainless has it advantages but all of the stainless blades I have owned over the years have been harder to maintain under the use I put them to. Most of the custom blade makers are going to be in the 150-200 USD and up range. I have seen some Rab Gordon copies (whether they were licensed or not I don't know) that were a bit less but not hand made.

[McMurdo]

Well you could talk to Raptor one of the members here he does these on the side but his work is very good indeed I saw one of his on the forum before and just had to have it so it is now mine, I find it is the only sgian dubh that I own that feels comfortable to wear all day.

Here is my review of it along with some pictures