Cold steel

[Slowburn]

Just came across a couple on nice recreations with a modern take of highland weapons.
http://www.coldsteel.com/scottishbroad.html
http://www.coldsteel.com/scottishdirk.html
http://dealerscorner.coldsteel.com/Products/11SDS/
Seems to be a lot of respect being shown for the highlan tools by this company.

[NewEnglander]

I just recently purchased their Scottish Spike knife and use it as my daily go-to sgian. The dirk is on my wish list.

[Dale Seago]

The broadsword has a "knife type" secondary bevel at the edge, rather than the "lenticular" blade cross section with a "convex" edge (sometimes referred to as a "Moran edge" after knifemaker Bill Moran) which actual Scottish broadswords typically had. It's also a bit on the heavy side, though still within the historical parameters of around 3 pounds. That said, however, it cuts about as well as my katana, and I have a nice "period" style baldric for it made by Donnie Shearer. I also made myself a buff leather half-liner to go inside the basket (wet-molded and baked) as was done "in the day".

I have no objection to the use of modern materials for the dirk -- pommel disk and haunches, if metal, historically were generally brass, nickel ("German") silver, or pewter -- but the handle/grip style and shape look like two historic styles doing the nasty with each other on the same tang. It's like they took a piece of one type and a piece of another and just stacked them one atop the other, with the result that the handle is also too long. In Cold Steel's defense, though, this being a "production" piece they would naturally take a "one size fits all" approach. And it's most certainly a functional weapon, which is one of the things CS is "about". The leather belt strap is wimpy and lets the piece bounce around all over the place. Cut it off and get a dirk frog from Ravenswood Leather, you'll thank yourself for it.

Just realized I'm largely repeating myself regarding the dirk. Look through this thread I began with a review, over at Sword Forum International:

http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...&postid=826589

[Slowburn]

Excellent insight, I really enjoy the expertise available on this forum. I wish I had taken my time in making my first dirk purchase air was disappointed with both craftsmanship and finish of the horn handled damascus I bought. It looks much like a kit I paid someone to assemble, not what I expected.

[The Barry]

Cold Steel is great stuff. I have a couple of their pieces, and they're great. I also enjoy that although they strive to make their period pieces look as authentic and presentable as possible, function trumps form.

The broadsword is a great example of this. Instead of being a glorified paperweight that fits the "official" description of the period, they use the original weapon as inspiration and update it with modern materials and technologies. I couldn't think of a better approach to giving proper homage to our ancestor's weapons. They were made to be used then, and they should be made to be used now.

[turpin]

I too have the CS dirk and It is a nicely made piece. It "trenches gushing entrails bricht" very easily.

[NewEnglander]

After reading and posting in this thread for the first time I did another search for the Brave Heart knife by Cold Steel (I hadn't been able to find it in stock before) and now it is on it's way to me. See what this forum does! I'm supposed to be saving for a Semi-trad from USAK, but buying another blade! Would the Trads fall over in a swoon if I wore a sgian in each hose? I promise to leave my flat cap at home.

[ohiopiper]

Cold Steel makes some good knives. I've had a fwe in the past.

The comment about adapting modern material and manufacturing techniques is spot on. The "authentic" makers used every advantage they had to make better and stronger blades. Modern makers are just following tradition.

[Dale Seago]

Cold Steel makes some good knives. I've had a fwe in the past.

The comment about adapting modern material and manufacturing techniques is spot on. The "authentic" makers used every advantage they had to make better and stronger blades. Modern makers are just following tradition.

Something I always hoped Lynn Thompson would do for a dirk, way before CS came out with the current version, is one with pretty much the blade they have now but with a bit of a false edge; either a single or double fuller (to simulate a reworked backsword blade, though I could live without the fuller happily enough); brass (or steel) pommel cap and brass (or steel) ferrule band at the join of haunches to blade. . .

. . .and a more 1740s-style grip & haunches with a Celtic knotwork pattern, in molded Kraton. Shouldn't cost any more to produce than the current version, might even be less.

I'm thinkin' something with the general look and proportions of the top one in this collection:

[Sharkman]

I bought myself the CS Dirk a couple of years ago and it is a nasty piece of work when it comes to the blade, it is wicked sharp! I haven't tried wearing it, but i would agree with Dale Seago the strap is really wimpy!

I also bought the modern sgain dubh that CS makes and it's wicked sharp too! It isn't a period piece but it is a deadly beauty.