Sgian Don't

**Andrew Breecher** · 22nd January 08, 12:21 PM

I've long wanted to build a sgian "don't" bottle opener, but hadn't been able to find a suitable bottle opener. I finally decided to start with a great opener, and shape it to my needs. I drew out the shape, and had my brother-in-law cut it at his shop. After cutting he also ground down the edges a bit, since they were very sharp. I had the holes drilled to provide more binding for the epoxy.

The handle is walnut, the two ends are cherry, with brass sandwiched in between. Since I'm working in my tiny city apartment and don't have access to a workshop, I couldn't take one piece of walnut and split it along the grain. Instead I used a sheet of craft wood from the local art store. As such, the grain won't match along the edges, but I'm okay with that. This is as thick as the wood comes, which works out to be perfect when put together. I have a tiny bench vise which I used to hold the pieces in order to chisel out a channel for the tang (sorry, no photos, since I was getting into the work and didn't think to stop for documentation).

I glued up all the pieces with two-part epoxy and clamped it while it dried. I let it dry overnight before going at it with a file this morning.

After filing I worked up through 400 grit sandpaper. It's so smoooooth..... I buffed it with a rag, and then hit it with some mineral oil. Wow! It was just a piece of wood before, but after the oil it lit right up. Bam.

This'll be fun to bring to parties.

Andrew.