Cheap dirk on Ebay

[Doublewood]

I'm thinking that for $17 shipped, this might not be a bad deal. Especially seeing as it's essentially an ornamental piece.

So, it's not the finest steel, or even passable imitation steel most likely, but for the short money...

LINK

Whadda you think?

[O'Neille]

I like it. The style is dressy yet not over the top. I personally have never used either of the two I have. O'Neille

[Bob C]

I see the auction ended. If you bought it, congratulations. If not and they list another one, buy it!

The knife snobs will pooh-pooh it, but you correctly stated that it's ornamental, anyway. I'd swear that some of these guys think they need high quality weapons because they're going into battle.

[Andrew Green]

I prefer high quality weapons because I'm a blade dork!
The dirk I use is a Hanwei early style. It's simple, clean, and if needs be, functional. I honestly hope it would never be needed, but the security is there. People are also a lot less likely to talk smack when you have a 20" knife hanging off your belt. Don't really know where I am going with this, it is 2am PST right now. The dirk didn't look bad for what it was. I just prefer my accoutrements to be functional. They can be had at the same prices as dress units, sometimes less...especially if you cut out the frills... or if you are a re-enactor, durable is a good word. I actually find my current dirk a bit large... and am saving up for a cutsom piece from a local bladesmith who does some really nice work, that is historically plausible, and a little smaller (even I think a 20" knife is a bit much sometimes).
Museum Replicas and Rittersteel, and Valiant Armoury all make solid dirks, with varying degrees of sharpness or bluntness depending. All of these would be functional, or functional with an edge though, so they cost more than the ebay dirk, but you won't have to worry about it falling apart. These are all early style dirks though... which is what I prefer... I know, I'm skewed.
Just some suggestions if someone was out there looking for a dirk, and didn't really want the usual "male jewelry" dirks. That being said though, the dirk pictured does have a clean look to it... not if only the handle was craved out of hardwood, or perhaps resin instead.... it looks like plastic to me.

[beloitpiper]

It's not the most traditional design, but it looks clean and simple. Good piece of jewelry, wouldn't recommend it for anything else.

[Woodsheal]

It's not the most traditional design, but it looks clean and simple. Good piece of jewelry, wouldn't recommend it for anything else.

Don't mince words; it's crap! Yeah, I'm a blade snob, but I'd want even a cheap reproduction to somewhat resemble the real thing. The grip/hilt configuration on that thing mirrors nothing in Scottish dirk history....

[Caradoc]

The knife snobs will pooh-pooh it, but you correctly stated that it's ornamental, anyway. I'd swear that some of these guys think they need high quality weapons because they're going into battle.

I wouldn't pooh-pooh it because I think I need a high-quality weapon to go into battle.

I'd pooh-pooh it because it looks like cheap crap.

If you're going to dress to the nines, why not at least spring for quality pieces instead of looking like a goofball because you chose to purchase crap?

(Yes, I've got a few pieces in my collection that will never be worn - because they're crap. I keep them around to demonstrate "crap" to people who ask.)

[MacConnachie]

For those of you who have $400 - $1200 to spend on edged Scottish costume jewelry, go right ahead. I have a (non-sharpened) dirk manufactured in India that I use for pipe band functions, and it looks quite all right. The kids are impressed with it, and seldom do the adults get close enough to know the difference. Anyone who objects to my use of it is generally relegated to that same dark place in my brain reserved for "loving thoughts" towards the self-appointed Tartan Police. It cost me less than $50, and is obviously a replica, but one which is dear to me, regardless of the price tag.

I expect the recently purchased inexpensive (sharp) dress dirk mfg'd. in China - with knife, fork, and faux citrine stone in the pommel - will get some comments the first time I use it for dissecting a Haggis next Burns' Dinner, but I doubt it will be anything remotely resembling blade snobbery. My only complaint about the piece (aside from its PRofC manufacture) is the screw heads on the metal scabbard bands/guards are not counter-sunk, so they could snag on an expensive kilt if a bit of care or modification were not to be undertaken. It "looks" just fine, and it was mine on a budget. I like the looks of it better than the one linked in the first post on this thread, but it was a bit more costly -- maybe $25 more than that! Big Whoop!

[binx]

I see the auction ended. If you bought it, congratulations. If not and they list another one, buy it!

The knife snobs will pooh-pooh it, but you correctly stated that it's ornamental, anyway. I'd swear that some of these guys think they need high quality weapons because they're going into battle.

Just came up again. They have a 100 available: Dirk

[Woodsheal]

[QUOTE=MacConnachie]For those of you who have $400 - $1200 to spend on edged Scottish costume jewelry, go right ahead. QUOTE]

What is a piece of "costume jewelry" for some, is a working knife for others - a purpose dirks were originally meant to serve. I've used mine "in the field" to cut bread, slice potatoes, and carve roast beef. And, it'll be passed along as an heirloom to my oldest son when the time comes. Here's a pic: