Dirk

**Glamrockdj** · 21st April 08, 05:17 AM

I have a nice dirk, a bit plain but it looks good, I was thinking of getting a new one but I thought about replacing the handle.

Now the easiest way for me would be if someone here knows if anyone makes them and how easy it would be to replace the handle or would I just be better off getting a new one.

I would prefer some kind of horn made handle.

Thanks in advance.

**alikws** · 21st April 08, 02:10 PM

How is that dirk put together? With riveted scales like a green river knife, a tang driven into a turned handle like a plug bayonet, or washers stacked, then fastened with a pommel, like a k-bar?

**osric the pale** · 21st April 08, 04:20 PM

post a pic and then we'll know how to proceed...thanx
~oz

**Glamrockdj** · 22nd April 08, 03:00 AM

I'm a total novice when it comes to thing like this so here's some photos as suggested.

**osric the pale** · 22nd April 08, 09:57 AM

wow...i'm not sure i'd change a thing on that

one !!!It looks like a threaded pommel cap to me, you should be able to twirl it off and remoce the hilt fairly easily, but i'd just get a blade and start fresh...that one is a beutiful dirk

**ChattanCat** · 22nd April 08, 09:59 AM

It looks like it might be a full tang blade. Does the very top knob unscrew?

**Mr. Woolery** · 22nd April 08, 10:35 AM

I would not try to redo this one. It looks good already. I'd suggest you get a blade and make a new one. Seriously. The one time you will REALLY want to have a dirk on, you'd have your one dirk in a half-completed state and no options for getting one on your hip.

Something else that can be fun, depending on your budget, is to get a couple of blades and make dirks that go with different kilts. For example, if you have kilts in browns, make one with a maple handle and finish to match a brown kilt, then make another one with a handle that goes well with another kilt, but with the same blade, same handle shape, etc. I personally don't like sheathwork (though I am fairly good at it, of necessity) so I'd make one sheath that would fit either dirk. Voila! You can coordinate your outfits even better!

Or, just get a blade or two and have some fun. But keep the current dirk, unless it really doesn't mean anything to you.

-Patrick

**Thomas** · 22nd April 08, 10:46 AM

Hi,
It´s a CasIberia dirk, right?. I got one as my first dirk. But to be historically accurate the handle is much too thick and far too long. I shortened mine by cutting away the pommel cap. It´s brazed, not screwed. I sawed it off, after that the pommel,too (you´ll need it again) Then I sawed the grip off at 2`from the top. Stop sawing when you feel touching the tang. After that I cracked the waste material off. Then you will be able to tap the tang. Put on the sawn-off pommel again and fix it with a new brass nut. In the end you´ll just have to shape it as you like it. I gave a simple carving to my own one.
I´ll try to post some pics soon.
Regards
Thomas

By the way- That celic stone in your pictures looks really fantastic. Is it your own work?

**Charlie Mc.** · 22nd April 08, 12:04 PM

Atlanta cutlery sells dirk blades for 16.96 get one and then work on a handle. Leave your current blade be.

http://www.atlantacutlery.com/atlant...il.aspx?ID=824

**Glamrockdj** · 22nd April 08, 01:55 PM

Thanks guys, I bow to your experience and will leave it alone. I was at Culloden this weekend and saw some lovely Dirks and it just got me thinking.

I've never done anything like this before but I may well get a blade and see what I can do.

I've tried unscrewing the bolt at the end but it doesn't seem to want to budge.

The stone was carved by a good friend of mine called Ron Henderson, he has a page on my site here

http://www.thesonsofscotland.co.uk/ronsstones.html