*Functional* Stag-Handled Sgian?

[Woodsheal]

X-Marker Joe Gondek creates little beauties, as well:

[Drac]

Thank you guys for your kind words.



Dale, you echo one of my knife philosophies - If it doesn't cut something it's not a knife.

No matter what the steel there is a basic formula -

Good heat treat + good steel = good blade

Good heat treat + great steel = great blade
Bad heat treat + any steel =

Taygrd and Michael McRae are good. I got a McRea dirk coming.

Jim

[Dale Seago]

I got a McRea dirk coming.

Knowing McRae -- and I do -- I think you'll be happy. An' ye can tell him I said so.

[SlackerDrummer]

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....
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.

Knowing McRae -- and I do....

Ummmm. Haven't you answered your own question?

[Dale Seago]

Ummmm. Haven't you answered your own question?

Haven't looked at his site in some years, so wasn't thinking of him until I saw the post about him.

I have the particular one shown in my opening post, which you can see in my hose here. And it does -- now -- have a serviceable enough edge; will do to cut a steak or something of the sort. I just can't get the sort of hair-popping edge I'm accustomed to putting on my knives.

So I'm in no hurry, this serves well enough for now. But I'm definitely looking, and I appreciate the suggestions which have been offered.

[Geoff Withnell]

I have to second the suggestion of Joe Gondak. I have one of his stag handled beauties, and it has as good an edge (and holds it as well) as my ColdSteel Braveheart. I don't think you can get a lot better than that.

[Joe Gondek]

I appreciate the kind comments on my work

I use high carbon Sheffield steel blades in my sgians

However I am in the process of moving and will not have my shop back up and running for a few months. So I can't help you out on this proect.

I am stil able to make sporrans if anyone is interested.

[Dale Seago]

I ended up going with with "our own" Taygrd, as I already knew I liked the shape of his blades.

It arrived a couple of hours ago and I can only describe the piece as "everything I had hoped it would be. . .and a bit more". It's just exactly the sort of thing I wanted.

It's also just in time to wear to a informal-dress wedding (a couple who train in my dojo) tomorrow afternoon at the home of the bride's parents. I should be getting some photos up sometime Sunday.

Quick description:

- 7 & 1/8" overall length, 4-inch blade of differentially hardened 1095 carbon steel

- Handle is 3 & 1/8", "rough textured" buffed stag antler, capped with polished black buffalo horn, flattened on the "leg" side

- Sheath is brown wet-molded leather, lapping up about 1/2" over the bolster: Secure fit, easy draw, easy return of the blade


I loves me this sgian!!

[CMcG]

Pics?

[Dale Seago]

Pics?

. . .wedding (a couple who train in my dojo) tomorrow afternoon at the home of the bride's parents. I should be getting some photos up sometime Sunday.