Yet another faux sgian dubh idea.

[Bob C]

I always carry pens with me, both for my job and because you often run into the need for one. I think I may make myself a "pen dubh."

If I actually do this, I'll be sure to post pics.

[Blu (Ontario)]

An Interesting thought... I know that Lee Valley sells pen making supplies. Did you have some idea as to how the two forms would fit and function together?


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[Bob C]

I've only begun to think about it. I don't think it would be too hard to carve a sgian dubh-shaped object and drill a hole up the center, then insert one of those round Bic pens. The ones I'm thinking of have a hollow tube, with a plastic piece that holds the point and the ink tube stuck in the end.

With the barrel glued in place, it would be easy to repace the ink and the point, when needed.

The only drawback I can see is that it would be difficult to create an effective cap. You'd have to be careful not to write on your leg. If you don't mind a really fat sgian pen, you could put it in a sheath to avoid that problem.

Of course, I'm envisioning a simple day sgain dubh. An evening piece, with jewels or metal work, would be more challenging.

[Blu (Ontario)]

For sure ink leaking from the pen could create a bit of a mess. I think some sort of pen cover would be necessary.

[Bob C]

That's true. Like I said, I've only begun to think about it. It's my experence that most ink leaks don't come through the ball point, though. It's usually inside the barrel.

[The Supreme Canuck]

Wouldn't it be kind of hard to use with a great heavy piece of wood on top? Might it be better to embed the cap in the handle, and have the pen nib side up in it?

[Panache]

Wouldn't it be kind of hard to use with a great heavy piece of wood on top? Might it be better to embed the cap in the handle, and have the pen nib side up in it?

I'm with TSC, then all you would have to do is build the handle and drill a hole for the pen cap. A little two part expoxy holds the cap tightly in place and you are done. Just make sure you pick a pen that you can easily replace out as each runs out of ink and that the pen and cap make a tight fit. A dowel or any small piece of hardwood would would be good handle material.