First-time sgian dubh

**norfair86** · 20th April 08, 08:43 PM

I have just finished my first sgian dubh using the blade from an old plastic-handled one. I've never carved anything, except for sharp sticks, and I think it came out very well. I also made a leather sheath for it from some scrap leather I had. Lemme know what you think!

Sorry for the low quality, but my camera's being strange, so I used my camera phone.

**kiwipipinghot** · 20th April 08, 08:55 PM

Well done. You can probably stain it darker if you wanted.
Looks great for your first attempt and more satisfying than buying one.

**elrond** · 21st April 08, 01:32 AM

DIY it is a great satisfaction. GO on this way and your products will be fine in a really few weeks of exercise!! Good job!

**Draelore** · 21st April 08, 03:03 AM

Originally Posted by elrond

DIY it is a great satisfaction. GO on this way and your products will be fine in a really few weeks of exercise!! Good job!

He's right. The learning curve on "just do it" projects is always quite high, and with such a good start I can't wait to order one from you in a couple of weeks!

(no actual purchase agreement was intended)

Andy

**McMurdo** · 21st April 08, 03:21 AM

Looks great, good for you.

**Glamrockdj** · 21st April 08, 04:49 AM

That's you started, no holding you back now!!!
Well done.

**norfair86** · 21st April 08, 04:52 PM

Thank you! I do want to get some blades and make some more.

**Mr. Woolery** · 21st April 08, 11:56 PM

As a knife maker, I'm going to share a little personal philosophy, here.

First, how does it feel in your hand? I realize that a sgian dubh is normally treated as just a dress accessory, but I value any knife as a tool first. If it isn't comfy in your hand, it isn't a good tool.

I've had a few knives that looked pretty odd and felt really good, and a few that looked great and felt lousy. The ideal is a good handle that looks good, too.

It looks loads better than my first knife, so nothing I say here is at all meant to be anything other than constructive.

I make handles out of wood that is pretty. It needs to either be striking in color or striking in grain. So, a plain maple or oak handle just isn't that interesting, since it is small. A curly maple or birdseye maple handle is stunning. Rosewoods have a color range that is lovely. But a plain wood just isn't going to stand out. Antler is just about always pretty, though.

I personally round over the butt of any knife handle. That corner or edge will dig into the palm when you are cutting anything. It will hurt, raise blisters, and make you hate your knife. Took me a few years to learn this tip, and you got it right at the start!

The real test of your design is to use the knife. A lot. Cut some rope, whittle on a stick, slice cardboard. You will revise a lot of your ideas on function that way.

But if you just want decorative, the only change I would urge on you is to make it from a more dramatic piece of wood.

Again, much better than my first effort!

-Patrick

**norfair86** · 22nd April 08, 05:45 PM

Actually, not that I was trying to make it comfortable, but the handle does feel pretty good! And I agree with you when you say to use nicer wood. I just got some scrap "oak" from the garage and went to work. I need to find where to get good blades so I can practice more and use different materials. I would like to use antler, but the antler I have was a little thick to use with this blade.