Two sgian dubh

[MT4Runner]

These are two blade blanks I cut from a diamond saw blade with my plasma cutter a few months ago, but haven't had time to forge anything out of them.

Didn't get any pics of forging a few weeks back. Instead of going 100% stock removal, I forged a taper into one side of each blade.

Epoxied cherry scales onto both.

The sanded blade and bright, unstained cherry was a bit boring, so I decided to try two different "antiquing" techniques I've read about. The blades were "mustard patina'ed", and the cherry is "ebonized".

The bright blades:







To Ebonize wood with high natural tannin content (redwood, cedar, oak, cherry, walnut), you dissolve steel in vinegar. Since I'd already been sanding my blades to get the grind marks out, I already had a lot of fine steel in my sandpaper, so I just put a dash of vinegar on a small plate and washed the steel filings off the paper. :laughing:

[MT4Runner]

Apply the steel/vinegar solution to the sanded cherry handles.


It gets darker


And as it dries out, you add more and it gets darker



And darker


I wasn't sure if I'd ever use these for food prep, so I oiled them with olive oil...and it made them even darker!

[MT4Runner]

Mustard patina is easy.
Put mustard on dry blade


The thin spots are where it rusts fastest


Wait and it gets deeper


Fresh water rinse takes a lot of grimy rust off and leaves a nice layer of oxidation.

This is supposed to prevent bad pitting.

[MT4Runner]

I'm pretty happy with how these turned out

[MT4Runner]

The larger one is close to 8" long--roughly half handle and half blade...but I'm a tall guy, so I've got room to carry it!

[Jock Scot]

Wow, well done. I am one of those that cannot knock a nail in straight,dammit, but I really love the "tricks of the trade" tips, if only fom a; "how do they do that?" point of view. Thank you.

[Thomas H]

Great Job ,I have been thinking of making my own as well , But maybe later.

It is nice to have these pictures to go by ... Great Job

[auld argonian]

If I need any antique armor or weapons forged, I know who to call...

Might I suggest the use of walnut oil as an alternative to the olive oil? Walnut is classed as a drying type of oil as opposed to olive, which is classed as non-drying. Since I started using the walnut in painting, I've found lots of uses for it and you can get it as a food type or a painting medium type.

Best

AA

[Ryan Ross]

Wowzers... Those are two spectacular blades...

[Chas]

I am sooooo impressed! I love seeing hand crafted things and more so when I get to see the process.

Regards

Chas