"all-around" sgian dubh?

[beerbecue]

i have a bid on this one on ebay now... thanks for the info regarding these...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

And they produce a much nicer sgain dubh than many of the companies in Scotland who regularly crank out those plastic-hilted bits of junk that most of us are loathe to see stuck in anyone's hose top.

Couldn't agree more--

Richard Pooley, the company owner, purchased the designs and sword forging machinery from the failed Wilkinson Sword company and set up Pooley Swords in India, to continue producing Swords in the styles manufactured by Wilkinson when they were still operating in Britain.

The Wilkinson Sword Company (which is still in business) made the decision to close the sword division. I believe that the only piece of machinery Mr. Pooley actually bought was the sword proving vice, although he could have bought more. Certainly no "designs" were involved in the sale as virtually all of the military patterns are either in the public domain, or the property of those clients who had previously contracted with WS to manufacture swords on their behalf. Mr. Pooley's partners are the Windlass brothers, who also own Atlanta Cutlery and Museum Replicas. As far as I am aware all of Mr. Pooley's swords and knives are made in India, and are made to MOD standards. For what it's worth Windlass also provides virtually all of the USMC NCO swords purchased by the US Department of the Navy.

When Wilkinson Sword Ltd. closed the sword division-- rather than entertain a management buyout-- the craftsmen who were the backbone of the sword division set up a new sword company in the UK-- Crisp & Sons, Sword Makers. Crisp & Sons continues to supply the MOD with swords, as well as refinishing swords for the MOD, in addition to supplying swords to overseas customers. In other words, the same gentlemen who made Wilkinson Swords are still making swords, albeit under another trade name.

Being extremely well acquainted with the products of all three companies I would say that Crisp & Sons has the edge on Pooley when it comes to etching and over-all finishing. More to the point, comparing the two products side by side is rather like comparing a Rolls-Royce and a Jaguar. Both are excellent luxury motorcars, one is just that tad bit better, but both will get the job done.