Ironwood Pewter Sgian Dubh

**turpin** · 16th December 07, 07:13 AM

Wow. jut wow.

O'Neille, do you use a drill press to keep that hole centered in the handle? I don't see how I could keep a hand drill straight enough.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 16th December 07, 07:32 AM

You are AMAZING!

**Panache** · 16th December 07, 08:39 AM

O'Neille,

Simply gorgeous. The Ironwood needs no decoration and I think this might be your finest knife to date.

Have fun with your new scroll saw.

Cheers

Jamie

**Oldhiker** · 16th December 07, 09:04 AM

what is the function of the notches in the blade?

lovely wood, great workmanship !!

**JRB** · 16th December 07, 11:17 AM

Beautiful knife!

Originally Posted by Oldhiker

what is the function of the notches in the blade?

That is called jimping (I believed) and it is to allow purchase for your thumb when cutting. Sgian dubhs are extremely short gripped and don't really have enought room for a full palm on the handle. The jimping offers a very stable place for you to guide the blade through whatever medium you're tackling.

**O'Neille** · 16th December 07, 03:02 PM

So I stitched up a quick sheath and made my Mom a matching ironwood pin. My Dad's is already wrapped but the one I made for myself is almost identical. It's more of a utility belt dagger than a sgian dubh.

**O'Neille** · 16th December 07, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by turpin

O'Neille, do you use a drill press to keep that hole centered in the handle?

Yes, I use a drill press and a machining vise. It keeps everything plumb. I just eyeball where I want the center of the handle to be and drill in quarter inch (cleaning) increments. Even with a drill press it's good to drill a pilot hole from opposite ends to get your holes centered. I don't use a hand drill because I break too many bits.