A different sytle of sgain dubh?

**auld argonian** · 7th April 10, 05:47 AM

I'll always take a full tang knife over the alternative

The choice of material and the degree of ornamentation on the grip would determine whether it's dress or casual.

Best

AA

**Micric** · 7th April 10, 06:16 AM

Re. full tang V's rat-tail tang, or whatever you want to call it;

I don't think it's anything to get hung up on.
The full tang may be stronger, but does it matter?
As in, the stick tang, provided it is made correctly is up to just any work that could be throw at it, so any difference is purely academic.
(look at all the swords, tulwars, and earlier kukris, )
I would have thought a sgian dubh would be better balanced to stay in place if the blade counteracted the hilt weight, and this (theoreticaly!) would be in favour of the partial or rat-tail tang.

Again, I'd say both styles Can look nice, but no advantages one over the other. If there was, they'd have evolved years ago.

Best. R.

**Drac** · 7th April 10, 06:41 PM

I got one going now (slowly due to a lot of distractions) for a brave individual who volunteered to be the first recipient and here it is so far before heat treat -

The bolster aren't pinned down yet since it still needed to go into the oven. Since than it has survived the hardening and tempering and has the rear bolsters (the ones with the file work) and the handle material (African blackwood) attached. Once my in-laws visit is over I will complete it and post a pic.

Jim

**BoldHighlander** · 7th April 10, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I did some Googling and found a few full tang sgians by knife maker Stuart Mitchell. They are solid looking knives but not really very dressy...

I really like this one, very workman-like, however I couldn't find it on the website....in fact I had problems getting the links to work to see any of his knives

**CMcG** · 8th April 10, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

I really like this one, very workman-like, however I couldn't find it on the website....in fact I had problems getting the links to work to see any of his knives

I found that image on a knife forum:
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/...The-Definitive

As for Stuart's website, roll your mouse over where it says "Custom Knives" to create a drop-down menu, then click on one of the numbers. No sgians in there but some nice blades nonetheless.

Or just PM to the OP seeing as he is working on a full tang sgian