My first Sgian Dubh

[wcsgorilla]

It was built from scratch. The blade and sheath came from a place in Scotland, the scales from a place in Oklahoma and the mounts from a place in NY. I did the design and construction. I still haven't gotten the nerve up to sharpen it though. But this is a quality blade so I think it shouldn't have a problem holding an edge.

A few pic during the build:

Relief for the tang:
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Glue up:
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First stage of contouring:
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After rough shaping and attachment of the pommel:
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Pommel rough shaping:
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A little more finished and the handle mostly smooth through 1000 grit paper:
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Finished after 2000 grit wet sanding and buffing/polishing:
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Pommel finish buffer and polished:
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I have finished the new one and I'll post pics of that if anyone would like to see it.

[bodhran4me]

Post them up! They are much nicer than the big standard offerings available

[kilted2000]

That is a truly beautiful sgian. If you ever want to make them to sell, sign me up.

[wcsgorilla]

Just finished this one. Damascus blade (already sharpened and brother, is it sharp…) rosewood and solid brass mounts. Pip top is nickel silver. It took a while to work the leather so that it formed to the blade. The Damascus is a little thicker than stainless blades. Something about the pictures makes the handle look thicker than it actually is. It fits really nicely in your hand and the way the ‘back side’ of both of them are, the top mount doesn’t rub against your knee.

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The angle is kinda exaggerated, but this is how back of the top of the handle kicks out from the knee:

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[MacKenzie]

Very nice work!

For sharpening anything and everything look into the Work Sharp.

[wcsgorilla]

What do y’all think of the thickness of the handles? Too thick, just right, too thin (gasp!)? Most of what I have to go by are the plastic handle ones I’ve wasted my money buying. And they just seem awfully thin to me. I mean, 3/8”? Even some of the more expensive ones (that still have plastic handles!) are no more than 1/2”. Does anyone have a ‘vintage’ sgian dubh? How big are those handles?

[ASinclair]

Very nice work, cousin!

[ShaunMaxwell]

What do y’all think of the thickness of the handles? Too thick, just right, too thin (gasp!)? Most of what I have to go by are the plastic handle ones I’ve wasted my money buying. And they just seem awfully thin to me. I mean, 3/8”? Even some of the more expensive ones (that still have plastic handles!) are no more than 1/2”. Does anyone have a ‘vintage’ sgian dubh? How big are those handles?

Personally, I find that the thinner the handle, the more comfortable the sgian is to carry in my hose top. My favorite is 1/4", and the two others I carry most are about 3/8" thick. I measured my "fancy" sgian, and its handle is also a smidge over 3/8".



Nice work, by the way!

Cheers,

SM