second sgain dubh--a commission

[DWFII]

I had so much good response to my posting of my very first sgain dubh (with zero experience making knives) and among those responses was a member who asked me to make him one just like the first one.

Well, I can't do anything exactly the same twice in a row--it's a matter of principle. But this is pretty close.

I started with a damascus blade provided by the customer and added a lignum vitae handle with a pewter bolster and a amboyna burl pommel. I inlaid the medallion into the handle just a wee bit.

The sheath is constructed around a zinc shell and is made of "dinosaur skin" (ostrich leg).

I don't really have any intention of making these commercially (I've got enough on my plate with boots and shoes) but, as so often happens with first time projects, I felt that I had gotten lucky in several places and wanted to work out some of the kinks in the technique.

All in all it was a worthwhile experience and I learned some things and developed some new techniques.

[ardchoille]

That is simply beautiful!

I feel that, in making something like this, it's good to have each product be unique, so it's good that you aren't able to make the exact same thing too many times. And I really like the difference in texture between the pommel and handle. Good job!

By the way, excellent choice of tartan for the background, Scottish National ROCKS!

[DWFII]

Ian,

Thanks. I really like the sheath myself. I've seen a lot of different leathers in my time and the "dinosaur skin" is one if my favourites. It looks a little like java lizard but it's soft. Too bad it only comes in small pieces.

OBTW, one of the reasons/benefits of having a pewter bolster and a wood pommel is that the knife balances just behind the bolster...just where you might hope that it would. If the pommel were pewter as well, the knife would be top heavy.

[fudgeman]

Very nice!

[ardchoille]

You know, the more I look at that, the more I want one. What you have produced there is something that I would expect to pay top-dollar for from a knifesmith. I don't see any gaps, and gaps are one of the give-away's of a cheaply made knife.

[Highlander31]

Nice work.

I have always had preference for a wooden grip over an antler one. I also like the texture of the sheath.

[DWFII]

Nice work.

I have always had preference for a wooden grip over an antler one. I also like the texture of the sheath.

Thanks. A nice hardwood with a fine grain is a wonder to behold...and handle...if it is polished well. I sanded this to 400 with carborundum and then to 4000 with Abralon--the abrasive pads that auto body detailers use to polish paint and clear coat.

The wood is just so silky smooth...I didn't put a finish on it, just Renaissance Wax.

Even the pewter benefits from the Abralon.

[Carolina Kiltman]

The work you do is just incrediblely beautiful! You are a true artist and craftsman! Slàinte,

[DWFII]

The work you do is just incrediblely beautiful! You are a true artist and craftsman! Slàinte,

Thanks for the kind words. But I don't really think of myself as an artist (too derivative)...a pretty good mechanic, maybe.

[Tartan Hiker]

Very nice work. You're right about the pewter pommel being too heavy (learned the hard way )

What is the spacer between the woods?