Sgian Dubh by Howard Clark

**Stratherrick** · 10th July 08, 01:26 AM

A beautiful piece of work, and I'm glad you only used old ivory!

Cheers

Bruce

**Standard** · 10th July 08, 08:14 PM

:wow:

That is one nice looking blade. Thanks for the background information also. I'm sure that sgain is destined to become a family heirloom.

**Howard Clark** · 10th July 08, 04:02 AM

Thanks for the kind words, Y'all.

Importation of elephant ivory into the United States has been banned since 1989, except under very specific circumstances. The ivory on that piece did in fact come from an elephant that died a very long time ago. It is a wonderful material. I like mammoth ivory and walrus also, but elephant ivory is the "whitest" and most stable, dimensionally. Plus it will look great with Wally's "uber formal" black and white kilt/jacket combo.

Of course it is "pattern welded steel" and not "damascus", really, but the popular convention is to call it that anyway. Being friends and colleagues with both mess'rs Verhoeven and Pendray, I am familiar with the terms and their meanings. "Genuine damascus" is another animal altogether. But this is not the venue for that discussion.

I like hand made stuff. I like making stuff that people value. Seemed a perfectly made match in terms of a trade, to get a kilt from Wally. The pictures of his work have all looked great, and I am sure I will be happy too.

I will post pictures of the kilt, but since I am leaving tomorrow for the Boundary Waters to go on vacation, it may be a couple of weeks before that happens.

Glad you like the knife, and thanks again for all the kind words !

**Splash_4** · 10th July 08, 05:04 AM

OMG, that is a stunning blade.... Must wipe drool off of the key board.

**jordanjm** · 10th July 08, 05:22 AM

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

**BEEDEE** · 10th July 08, 05:37 AM

That is a truly stunning sgian dubh. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Brian

**JRB** · 10th July 08, 07:46 AM

That's a fantastic knife. I love the proportions and blade shape.

**Panache** · 10th July 08, 07:50 AM

Beautiful work there, simple and elegant.

Cheers

Jamie

**Streetcar** · 10th July 08, 07:57 AM

Wow. Just. Wow.

**ChattanCat** · 10th July 08, 01:07 PM

I can't think of any other way to store the sgian dubh than in a hand made box. I figure that it needs a place to rest in luxury when I am not carrying it. I am planning on carving the two halves of the box out of oak for it's long life and strudy wood. Lining it with some nice cushy material so it doesn't ever have to touch the wood (the sgian dubh will carve right thru it for sure).

I will be on vacation this weekend (sadly not with Howard).
So, have a happy weekend everone,