Customizing a commercial sgian dubh?

[Troglodyte]

John Nowill & Sons Ltd have been cutlers since the late 1600s, getting formal recognition from the guild in 1700. The company has gone through many generations, and was limited in 1927.

Sheffield steel is still considered highly desirable, and the Nowill name can be taken as a mark of quality.

The quality is in the steel of the blade - not necessarily the construction or materials of the sgian as a whole, but it is unlikely a high quality blade will be used in a shoddy sgian.

The tang is likely to be about half the length of the blade, and tapering slightly, so it ought to be easy enough to dismantle the sgian you have, and remount the blade with a handle of your choice. There are several Scottish sgian makers who supply components, including ready-made tooled-leather sheaths, antler and wooden handle blanks.