My "history lesson" Sgian dubh

[Tartan Hiker]

Here's my latest attempt at knife-crafting.

This sgian will be my "Montreat sgian dubh." I'm a school teacher, and in the summer I direct the hiking/trail maintenance/search and rescue/nature study program for Montreat Conference Center, a Presbyterian-affiliated conference center in the town of Montreat, NC. The town was established in 1894 and the conference center is nearly that old. Hurting for cash, the town fathers in the year 1911 sold a right-of-way to a timber company that wanted access to the summit of Mount Mitchell and the other Black Mountain peaks, that were at that time covered with virgin Red Spruce forests. They built a 22-mile-long railroad which ran from the town of Black Mountain, along the eastern ridge of Montreat, and then on to Mount Mitchell. Total elevation gain was about 4100 feet. Within the Montreat valley there were a number of switchbacks that the train used to crawl up and over the ridge. You can see some of the scenery along the former rail line (now a hiking trail) on page 3 of this thread.

There were a number of stream crossings along the rail line, and the builders used timbers of strong and rot-resistant American Chestnut, also called "Tanbark tree" because its bark was used to render the tannins used to preserve leather, to construct small bridges for the trains to pass over. Many of these old timbers are still in place, adding some wonderful historical sites to our hiking system.

While doing some trail work last summer I discovered a small Chestnut log below one of these stream crossings. It didn't show signs of being sawn or hewn, there were no bolt holes, etc, so it isn't definitely part of the old bridge, but it was in the same vicinity so it may have been part of the original structure. (I add all this to make sure that no one thinks I've been vandalizing an historic site. I love that valley and its history and I work hard to protect all its resources, so damaging the old structures would be the last thing I'd ever do!)

Well, American Chestnut is just about my favorite wood, and the sad tale of the fate of this once-dominant species is one I always impress upon my students. If you aren't familiar with this species, you may wish to read this article.

Needless to say, a small section from the end of this log found its way into my backpack. Later that same day, with my mind still on hafting a knife with my newly acquired chestnut, we came across the top of a large Eastern Hemlock that had blown across the trail. As I sawed the trunk, I noticed the close grain and beautiful smell of the wood from this noble but dying tree. Another chunk of wood found its way into my pack.

For those not familiar with the current plight of the Eastern Hemlock, here's another article. You'll notice how these two species are united across the decades in their common and tragic decline. I decided that I had to make something incorporating wood from both of these trees.

Band saw, file, and paper work produced a handle of acceptable dimensions. Old chestnut always has worm tunnels in it, and I made sure to include several tunnels in this piece.

After reading several threads here on pewter bolsters I acquired some scrap pewter from a local shop. Using a large ladle that belonged to my great-grandfather (who emigrated to the US from Scotland in the late 1800's) I melted and poured a bolster following the directions in this thread. When I took off the paper collar I was horrified by the inconsistency of the pour...there were several hollow "bubbles" in the pewter. As I tried to figure out how to take it all apart and try again, I noticed that the imperfections actually "worked", carrying on the theme set by the worm tunnels. The more I looked at them the more I liked them...so they stayed!

Finally, I epoxied a chunk of Hemlock to the end to serve as a butt cap. Hemlock is a soft wood and very pale, so I stained it with a mahogany/dark oak mixture to relieve the contrast between it and the chestnut, which I did not stain. Finish is with Watco Danish Oil. I may add satin polyurethane later. (tartan: Lochcarron Strome MacDonell of Glengarry weathered)



So here it is. American chestnut and hemlock united. A reminder of how things once were. A reminder of a time when a canopy of Chestnuts, some exceeding 150 feet in height, their massive branches interlocked as if in a loving embrace, covered the Eastern forests, dropping tons of nutritious nuts each fall that supported both wildlife and human inhabitants. A time when massive Hemlocks lined the streams, providing shade for the cool water and anchoring the banks with their roots. A time before highways, villages, axes, or railroads. A time when it would have been possible to walk from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River and never step out into full sunlight; an ancient environment brought to the edge of oblivion by human technology, greed, and short-sightedness.

So much history makes for a heavy burden. I'm certain my little blade will be up to the task.

[Mark Keeney]

Absolutely stunning. A treasure in every sense of the word.

[TheKiltedWonder]

I love the sgian and I love the history behind it. Whenever they discover another stand of Aerican Chestnuts it makes my day. I hope there's still hope left for the hemlock. I remember the woods being full of them near my grandparents' house in W. Virginia.
But a great knife!

[Thunderbolt]

Wow, very nice work.

You're getting the blanks from Tracks of the Wolf, right?

I've got some African Blackwood that is now seasoned and ready for working. I've used a small piece for a gunstock forend and have some left over now.

Need to get some sgians going now...

T.

[Arizona Scot]

What a great little knife and the story behind it makes even that much better.

[Andrew Breecher]

I was always excited when I walked past young American chestnut trees on the Appalachian Trail. They may be struggling, but they're still there!

I really like the bubbles in the pewter - like you said, they mirror the wormholes in the wood. If you'd like to avoid the bubbles next time, try pouring the pewter from higher up, so it agitates itself in the mold and settles in all the crevasses. Or, after pouring the metal, give the knife a good shake (wearing heat-proof gloves!) to settle out the bubbles.

Andrew.

[O'Neille]

Beautiful sgian and poetic post. A little boric acid flux helps me sometimes if the pewter is being bothersome. A little higher temperature to allow the bubbles to escape before it hardens and I will give my workbench a couple good smacks to dislodge some of those bubbles too.

[James MacMillan]

You guys amaze me - the craftsmen here are remarkable.

Nice work.

[Livingston]

Very nice work TH. The two woods look great together and the I agree about the bubbles in the pewter.

[Mike S]

Nicely done and a very handsome Sgian. This should look splendid with daywear, much like a stag handled one.

Any plans for the sheath? A brown leather one would look fitting with this.