Stag handled Dirk-Progress
Greetings all...It has been a while since I posted on this project (couldn't find the original thread)...I have made a bit of progress on my "downhill without breaks" stag handle dirk and roe deer handle by-pieces project.
The main dirk blade is permanently mounted into the grip-tang is 3/4" tapered to 3/8", with about 1" of threaded end to recieve the nut. I was forced to countersink a 1" long nut INTO the steel pommel cap, but it worked. Peined and ground flush, then re-peined...it's solid. I used two allen head bolts threaded into the crown to hold the pommel position, too. I am working on test pieces to figure out hot soldering-I am going to fill the fuller gaps (and guard gaps) at the entry of blade to guard with solder, once I figure it out. Original thought was to braze, but the stabilizer material I used inside of the antler is only rated for around 600 degrees F...Brazing requires more heat-that, and I did not want to wreck the temper of the blade. It's looking like one of those blades of convienence...not exactly pretty, but very durable.



The fork pictured is one of a pair I picked up trolling antique shops. From 1750's, I figured it would be as close as I could come to a good original, and given the shape of this one's handle, I have no problem dismantleing and mounting into the roe deer antler shown.
The assembled spoon is a test model-combo copper pipe and one antler from a deer I hit with my Jeep. Oh, and a bit of sinew-ran into an issue using a wide kerf saw blade. For the dirk by-spoon, it will be a brass bowl and a jewler's saw inlet (that copper gets HOT when eating oatmeal and soup!).
Also, does anyone here know a smith that could bang out a real steel sword scabbard throat with locket and tip? Given the dirk above is intended to appear to be made of a broken backsword, I was hoping to be able to have a scabbard that resembles an equally altered scabbard of the same era. Might be a year before I am in scabbard mode, so....
Last edited by Mark E.; 10th October 11 at 10:23 AM.
A pitchfork is a polearm too!
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