A different sytle of sgain dubh?

**Drac** · 6th February 10, 02:00 PM

Hey all,

I'm working on a sgain dubh and it's seems to be going ok but the hidden style tangs have never been my style. Most of what I do is full tang.

Would you guys buy a sgain dubh with a full tang or would you pass it by?

Thanks for your time,
Jim

**Jock Scot** · 6th February 10, 02:28 PM

It depends, I might for day wear.

**jordanjm** · 6th February 10, 03:11 PM

If I could afford it I would. It would be my only Sgian Dubh. I am short on funds

**jordanjm** · 6th February 10, 03:12 PM

I did come across a custom Sgian Dubh with a full tang somewhere. I have the images somewhere to use as a pattern.

**Peregrine** · 6th February 10, 04:37 PM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

It depends, I might for day wear.

I agree with Jock. I generally favor full tang in a knife, but I can't imagine one that would have the right look for a formal occasion. Perhaps I just haven't imagined the right one.

**MacLowlife** · 6th February 10, 04:52 PM

If weight is a consideration, don't you add poundage with a full tang? Can you oxidize the edges of the tang to keep it dhu? Could you skeletonize the tang and still consider it "full"? Compare the skeletonized buttplates on some shotguns or drilled out ultra light bicycle components... The difference would be that all of that missing metal would be sandwiched between your scales, which might then have to have a different means of attachment. Your pictures will eliminate my next thousands of words...
Cordially
MacLL

**Jordan** · 6th February 10, 05:08 PM

Sorry but whats a full tang?

**NewGuise** · 6th February 10, 05:30 PM

I would love to own the sgian dubh equivalent of a Laguiole pocket knife such as this:

Those not familiar with the company (and unable to visit beautiful Laguiole itself, in southern France) should check out http://www.laguiole-en-aubrac.com/. They also do some cutlery:

Nothing quite like a sgian dubh there, but I have no trouble imagining such, with a full tang and a properly formal look.

**Drac** · 6th February 10, 06:10 PM

This is a hidden tang blade also call stick, snubb, through or mortise tang depending on how its used in a handle. The tang doesn't show once the blade is complete.

This is a full tang. It will show on the sides once the handle is complete.

I'm familiar with the company. It's trademark is the clicking sound the blade makes as it opens. They always look beautiful. The fix blades cutlery is intergeral. meaning the bolsters (the metal between the blade and wood) is part of the blade instead of added on like I do. Without a mill I won't want to try that but the filework on the folders is something I could and would do on the tang of the blade to make it more dressy.

Wjile a full tang is heavier than a stick tang in a small knife like this it wouldn't add much weight. I also taper my tangs for ascetic and weight issues. Since I flat grind I always get a distal taper. A tapered tang balances to looks as well as the weight.

Here's one of mine that has a tapered tang to get the idea -

Thanks for the opinions.

Keep them coming,
Jim

**jordanjm** · 6th February 10, 06:23 PM

http://www.artmetal.com/blog/radharc...cal_sgian_dubh

Here is a page about a full tang Sgian Dubh. I really like it. I think done right it could be made to work for formal, but that it definitely is more likely a day knife. I think with a dark wood, ebony, Black Walnut, Culloden Bog Oak, Purple Heart, and Pewter, or Silver bolsters, and a stone embedded on the handle, it could go as high as semi formal. I like the idea of a dark wood, and a horn one.