New Dirk & Basket Hilt

[Ryan Ross]

The Paul Chen/Hanwei Scottish dirk is pretty nice for a modern repro. I have one of those and another early Scottish dirk possibly from Windlass. Both are pretty nice if you can find them at a reasonable price.

You can find some fairly good basket hilt claymores for around US$120 with postage. In particular Sussen on eBay's Scottish Culloden Basket Claymore broad sword - 5160. It is pretty close to the cold steel for significantly less. The basket hilt swords which go for less than what Sussen is selling them for aren't great. Acceptable if you want display pieces to stick behind a targe, but not much else.

I find that, especially in the case of Hanwei vs. Cold Steel dirks, the Cold Steel is vastly superior, in terms of blade durability and initial sharpness/grind. Not having much direct experience with either Cold Steel or Hanwei broadswords, I couldn't say if the same was true of them.

All that said, the Hanwei dirk does look much more historical than the Cold Steel.

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

Cold steel isn't trying for "historical" accuracy the way Hanwei/Chen and Windlass are. Also, the Cold steel dirk is at a much higher retail price point. Although, the CS can be found for around US$ 100.

So, the questions are how much you want to pay and do you want historically accurate?

[puffer]

Cold steel isn't trying for "historical" accuracy the way Hanwei/Chen and Windlass are. Also, the Cold steel dirk is at a much higher retail price point. Although, the CS can be found for around US$ 100.

So, the questions are how much you want to pay and do you want historically accurate?

You are basically correct. But,
IMHO I feel that, if you are willing to fore go the "historically correctness" then the CS blades are of better quality, both in their blades & finish. ( I am familiar with the HC & Windlass blades>)

For me this combination, for the $380.00 I paid, was worth while. It is a set that I can wear & not worry about it.

BTW I do own a "Armour Class" Broad Sword for both "hitorical Accurcy" & etc. Here is their site http://www.armourclass.com/Data/Page...Collection.htm. ( cost = $$$$$ )
I also own a "custom" made dirk, with another in the works.Again these can be speny, but thankfully I can make the handles & the scabard, & a good friend is makind the blade.

Puffer

[Ryan Ross]

You are basically correct. But,
IMHO I feel that, if you are willing to fore go the "historically correctness" then the CS blades are of better quality, both in their blades & finish. ( I am familiar with the HC & Windlass blades>)

For me this combination, for the $380.00 I paid, was worth while. It is a set that I can wear & not worry about it.

BTW I do own a "Armour Class" Broad Sword for both "hitorical Accurcy" & etc. Here is their site http://www.armourclass.com/Data/Page...Collection.htm. ( cost = $$$$$ )
I also own a "custom" made dirk, with another in the works.Again these can be speny, but thankfully I can make the handles & the scabard, & a good friend is makind the blade.

Puffer

Very cool. Any chance of us seeing some pics of your custom dirk(s)?

...and I agree that Cold Steel is better all around. It's also a heck of a great company. They sent my friend, who is a film student, a complimentary dirk (no questions asked), as a grant for one of his student films (which required a dirk as a very important prop)! How's that for service above and beyond the call of duty?

[puffer]

Very cool. Any chance of us seeing some pics of your custom dirk(s)?

Ryan, I wish I could show you a picture of my "custom" dirk, but I can not find my pictures in my files (still looking ) I would take new ones, but the dirk is currently on it's way to the E. Coast ( as is my "Armour Class Basket Hilt ). A GOOD friend of mine needed them. His Daughter is getting married & it is a FORMAL, 3 day affair( Scottish ) plus while he is back there, he will be participating in some other activities. I did email him requesting so pics, when he gets time.
But until then here is an idea of what it looks like.

This is the "prototype' we used.
Changes made:
1.Hilt. - Bolock "haunches" sim. to this

The wood is " figured curly Maple" stained
Note the metal work is "german silver" & was done by a man in my ML/BP club. ( "german silver is inexpensive & easy to work with)

2. Here is the blade ( bought it from this site https://www.lochnessorigins.com/acat...omponents.html


BTW - Making a sim. dirk actually not that difficult. The hilt is the major task ( if you buy the blade) BUT if you keep it simple & have access to a lathe, it can be done. Here is an idea Just eliminate the "knots.
The cost is worth the effort. My total cost was under $150.00. But you can do it for less, depending on the blade etc.

Hope this helps.

BTW, here is a picture of the blade that we are copying for my new dirk. The hilt design is still in the works. ( I am "Practicing on a couple of deisigns, trying to find one I can do with my limited skills )
Note, there will not be engraving.

Puffer

[Ryan Ross]

Ryan, I wish I could show you a picture of my "custom" dirk, but I can not find my pictures in my files (still looking ) I would take new ones, but the dirk is currently on it's way to the E. Coast ( as is my "Armour Class Basket Hilt ). A GOOD friend of mine needed them. His Daughter is getting married & it is a FORMAL, 3 day affair( Scottish ) plus while he is back there, he will be participating in some other activities. I did email him requesting so pics, when he gets time.
But until then here is an idea of what it looks like.

This is the "prototype' we used.
Changes made:
1.Hilt. - Bolock "haunches" sim. to this

The wood is " figured curly Maple" stained
Note the metal work is "german silver" & was done by a man in my ML/BP club. ( "german silver is inexpensive & easy to work with)

2. Here is the blade ( bought it from this site https://www.lochnessorigins.com/acat...omponents.html


BTW - Making a sim. dirk actually not that difficult. The hilt is the major task ( if you buy the blade) BUT if you keep it simple & have access to a lathe, it can be done. Here is an idea Just eliminate the "knots.
The cost is worth the effort. My total cost was under $150.00. But you can do it for less, depending on the blade etc.

Hope this helps.

BTW, here is a picture of the blade that we are copying for my new dirk. The hilt design is still in the works. ( I am "Practicing on a couple of deisigns, trying to find one I can do with my limited skills )
Note, there will not be engraving.

Puffer

Ah, thanks for the pics and the info!

The blade you used looks great! Not that I would ever be using such a thing for it's intended purpose, but how would you say the quality of the steel was (in terms of it's ability to take and keep a good edge? As for the handle, I actually do have a lathe and some extremely modest experience with carving, aswell. One of the reasons I've thought about making a dirk is because the only dirks to be found with short enough handles, cost an arm and a leg. I may well get to this project, sometime soon.

[puffer]

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...9&goto=newpost but how would you say the quality of the steel was (in terms of it's ability to take and keep a good edge? I may well get to this project, sometime soon.

My blade took a good edge & has kept it ( I do not do much cutting with it, but afterward, I touch it up with an Arkansas stone ( cross sticks)
BTW, I emailed the supplier abut the metallurgical specs. If I get them I will let you know.

If you do decide to venture forth on this project, let me know. Plus if I can be of any help, also let me know.

Puffer