Dirk blank source

[McCracken140]

Hello all,
Having access to some exotic hardwood and a lathe lately, I have decided to make a dirk handle and fit it to a pre-made dirk blade blank. Where are some sources to buy such a blade that are good quality? I have only found on the internet Sheffield Cutlery selling a blade made in (not India). Do you know of any other sources, or failing that, what are the highest quality Indian-made blades?
Thank you!

[Nomad]

Deleted, quoted site for Sgain Dubhs rather than dirks, sorry

[McCracken140]

Nomad, I had been considering Loch Ness origins for sgian dubh blades. They do seem to be very good quality there. But I’m looking for dirk blades.

[Howling Dingo]

Worth a look ….


https://usaknifemaker.com/scottish-dirk-blade.html


Made by Windlass in India steel is 1085

[AKScott]

I would google up "hand forged knife blanks" and shop the various smiths making knife blanks. Find the one or two whose work I really like and contact them about making a specific shape.

M2c, there are plenty of smiths out there.

[Howling Dingo]

Not really scottish but a knife I made few years ago. Blade blank was from a knifemaking store online in Finland..Needless to say good few hours to make a knife like this.I would do a learning or practise dirk with cheaper wood and blade first.

20191230_110537.jpg

[McCracken140]

Not really scottish but a knife I made few years ago. Blade blank was from a knifemaking store online in Finland..Needless to say good few hours to make a knife like this.I would do a learning or practise dirk with cheaper wood and blade first.

20191230_110537.jpg

Looks good!
I did a replacement handle for a meat cleaver that belonged to my great-grandfather and it turned out rather well. I think I will probably do the sgians before the dirk but I am rather confident in my skills.

[McCracken140]

Worth a look ….


https://usaknifemaker.com/scottish-dirk-blade.html


Made by Windlass in India steel is 1085

I don’t know that much about blade steel. What does 1085 mean, is it an indication of quality?

I have seen a Windlass scimitar sort of sword thing once and I didn’t really like it, the finish on the blade seemed fairly cheap. This one looks to be a similar finish.

To be fair, it does look like pretty good bang for your buck so if I can’t find anything better in my price range then that’s probably the way I’ll go.

[ShaunMaxwell]

https://www.thebalance.com/knife-steel-grades-2340185

1084 is good steel if the heat treat is done properly, though it will rust if you allow it to stay wet. If you wipe it clean and keep it dry, it will develop a nice patina.

Cheers,

SM

[Howling Dingo]

One thing to say is full tang is much easier than a stick tang knife.It is a heap of work to do the bolster on a stick tang blade.

You are talking hours of work shapeing this bolster to fit the tang of the blade.