Anyone else wishing for a custom sgian?

**JRB** · 26th May 07, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Archangel

Do we want forged blades?

Forged or stock removal makes no difference to me. Both methods will produce a good blade if properly tempered. A die cut, stock removal blade might be cheaper to produce in significant numbers than a bunch of hand forged blades, but most custom smiths do forge their blades. The bottom line IMO to producing a good blade is the steel used and the heat treating ability of the smith. One big advantage to having a sgian dubh made is that it's so damn tiny. Whether it's hand forged or ground out, the cost of the blade should be a very small percentage of the cost of the knife. The complexity and material of the sgian dubh's grip is where the cost really comes in. Speaking of grip, I do like the traditional look of bog oak but I'm not sure how much that would add to the cost.

**David Thornton** · 26th May 07, 06:17 AM

Thanks guys. One thing I want to avoid is a cookie cutter sgian. Maker offers for your consideration a common shape, thus recognizable, with an option on the wood and fitting material based on preference and budget.
Keep those ideas coming
David

**JRB** · 26th May 07, 06:48 AM

One suggestion I have based on personal experience using a sgian dubh is to have a filed spine. By design sgian grips are very short and thus can be hard to use effectively as a cutting tool. The filing on the spine allows a good pruchase for your thumb and really improves blade control. It definitely makes the knife a handy cutting tool (which is what I'm looking for). I have an older Cold Steel Culloden that has filing on the spine and it's amazing just how well those grooves improve the feel of the knife in the hand. Here's a pic of what I mean:

**Streetcar** · 26th May 07, 10:47 AM

I second JRB. I carry an old Cold Steel myself, and I never appreciated the jimping until I started cutting with it.

**cavscout** · 26th May 07, 10:54 AM

I would like to see one that looks very traditional when worn but maybe provides a contemporary feature such as a bottle opener If our fellow x-marker Rab will allow me to share his photo with you on what I'm thinking (my apologies if this is s problem Rab, let me know and I'll remove it).

**Rab Gordon** · 26th May 07, 11:13 AM

No problem at all to use my images, etc. within this forum.

If anyone comes across a maker of blade blanks that you think would be particularly good then could you let me know.

Rab

Raptor · 26th May 07, 04:02 PM

my personal likes: simple, elegant, traditional styling.

**Archangel** · 26th May 07, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Rab Gordon

No problem at all to use my images, etc. within this forum.

If anyone comes across a maker of blade blanks that you think would be particularly good then could you let me know.

Rab

I've been eyeing these Damascus blanks from Atlanta Cutlery for a while now, $US34.95. I was about to make the leap when this thread came up.

Details

**turpin** · 26th May 07, 08:48 PM

I have one of those waiting for me in the shop, if I ever get the time. It seems like a really nice blade, but I'm not an expert by any stretch.

**cavscout** · 27th May 07, 06:54 AM

I'm no metal expert but the folks I know that have bought the Atlanta Cutlery blades say that they do not keep an edge well.

Personally, if I'm going to buy a knife like this I want the best steel so I'm not sharpening it every day.

I love the Damascus look but would love to have that with a bottle opener.

I also really like something like this without the crest