*Functional* Stag-Handled Sgian?

[Dale Seago]

I really like the elegantly simple look of this stag daywear sgian from Harp & Dragon:




And Harp & Dragon is the only distributor I've seen that advertises the blades as being sharpened. The problem with this and other "production" versions out there is that despite the good intentions of the distributors, the makers of the blades appear to have no concept of a sgian dubh as being anything other than a symbolic representation of a knife, rather than it actually being a knife.

So you see mostly stainless blades. To sharpen most stainless cutlery steels properly you need a diamond hone to get the edge "toothy" enough for use. . .only to THEN discover that whoever made the blade had no concept of proper heat treatment, so it STILL won't hold an edge.

Or you go for a high-carbon damascus blade -- which turns out was only made into a blade for the sake of the pretty patterns, and is ALSO not properly heat-treated as a functional blade.

So my question to the rabble is: Who's a good candidate for a commission for a stag-handled sgian with a non-stainless blade that I can actually use as a knife?

[lethearen]

USA Kilts has a damascus bladed staghorn sgian dubh that is advertised as very sharp.

http://www.usakilts.com/store/cart.p...t_detail&p=373

Planning on picking one of these up eventually, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

[CMcG]

Look no further than fellow Xmarker Taygrd. I haven't personally inspected his knives, but his descriptions match your specifications and I believe I've seen him do stag handles...

[xman]

I got mine on sale from the Scotland Kilt Co. It was not sharp when I got it, but certainly is now and is quite functional. http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...y-sgian-63008/

Also Dale, not all 'damascus' is for looks only. Much of it makes excellent blades, even super fine ones. As an example: http://www.tzknives.com/Razors.html I've a damascus sgian on the way now.

[Ryan Ross]

Look no further than fellow Xmarker Taygrd. I haven't personally inspected his knives, but his descriptions match your specifications and I believe I've seen him do stag handles...

This seems like very sound advice, as his blades look, and I'm sure are, excelent.

I'd also mention our own Drac. Now, he usually works in stain resistant steels, but he uses very good alloys, and is careful with his heat treat. I'm very particular about knives, as you know, and his really does fit the bill. I'm certain he would work in stag for you, and I bet he might use a high carbon steel for you too.

Just a thought.

[artificer]

I'd also mention our own Drac. Now, he usually works in stain resistant steels, but he uses very good alloys, and is careful with his heat treat. I'm very particular about knives, as you know, and his really does fit the bill. I'm certain he would work in stag for you, and I bet he might use a high carbon steel for you too.

Just a thought.

*** for this thought. I'm a guy who won't suffer a knife w/o a functional edge. Drac's work is VERY nicely heat treated and will take and maintain a very good edge.

As a HUGE bonus, the man's sense of proportion, sensitivity to the wood/handle material, and his file work are all beyond reproach.

[walkerk]

Dale - from the picture and catalog number, the Sgian appears to come from Comrie Crafts and is available from several vendors including those listed on X-Marks. The two from them I own are certainly not dull as delivered and suffice for cutting through tough steaks.

[davidlpope]

So my question to the rabble is: Who's a good candidate for a commission for a stag-handled sgian with a non-stainless blade that I can actually use as a knife?

I commissioned one from Michael McRae at Scotia Metalwork. It looks like this:

http://www.scotiametalwork.com/page12.html

I told him that I wanted a "real knife that looks like a sgian dubh" instead of a "sgian dubh that looks like a real knife". That's exactly what I got.


Cordially,

David

[Woot22]

I commissioned one from Michael McRae at Scotia Metalwork. It looks like this:

http://www.scotiametalwork.com/page12.html

I told him that I wanted a "real knife that looks like a sgian dubh" instead of a "sgian dubh that looks like a real knife". That's exactly what I got.


Cordially,

David

Very nice dude, I want one myself now.

[The Thirsty Viking]

I use three different steels with the knives I make: O-1, 5160, and 1095, and then selectively temper for hard edges that hold a sharpening and spines that give.

I would offer my services, but I am completely swamped at the moment. Having seen Drac's work, I would also reccommend him. Good quality Blades that are beautiful to boot.