Home Made Sgian Dubhs and Kilt Pins

**BEEDEE** · 9th March 09, 07:32 AM

Nice work.

Brian

**Thorin** · 11th March 09, 01:41 AM

Hey 1Munk3,

I cheat a little bit with the pins. I ordered the pins we wore at the wedding from a Scottish shop, but at the price I think it is safe to assume they were brought in from somewhere in Asia. They looked alright and did the job, but they were a cheap electroplated metal. Anyway I made a plaster of paris impression of the pin. Then I poured melted pewter into the mould and got a very rough casting of the typical claymore design kiltpin. I used this as a blank (for a rough sword shape) which I then hand carve, file down and polish until it becomes a unique product of my labour.

I battled with the attaching the actual pin to the sword at first because it was an absolut mission to solder. Being so small the smallest amount of excess heat would warp and ruin the whole cast. I now use epoxy or contact adhesive to secure the pin mechanism - but hope to improve on this somehow in the future.

Hope this answers your question

Thorin

**SFCRick** · 11th March 09, 02:06 AM

nice work

**1MUNK3** · 11th March 09, 09:30 AM

Hello Thorin,
Thanks for the reply. Very true, solder can be a bit of a pain at times depending on what you're working with. Again, everything came out great.

**shawhighlander** · 11th March 09, 10:21 AM

Very impressed, Thorin. The pewter really makes this sgian have a very personal feel to it, like one that has been handed down for generations. Your work is excellent for a first stab at it. I'm sure your Mates where very pleased with such a grand gift.

**PIC MOVED TO ~ DIY's, entitled "PHOTOS of hand-made Dirk and Sgian Dubh"**
Cheers,

**Big Paul** · 11th March 09, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by shawhighlander

Very impressed, Thorin. The pewter really makes this sgian have a very personal feel to it, like one that has been handed down for generations. Your work is excellent for a first stab at it. I'm sure your Mates where very pleased with such a grand gift.

Here is a pic of the first one that I made from a deer antler from a deer my Grandfather shot. The tang of the blade goes almost to the top of the handle.

Cheers,

That has to be one of the most beautiful sgian's I've ever seen!!

.

**Standard** · 11th March 09, 04:45 PM

Very nice, I especially like the damascus blade with the black hilt. Good on ya lad.

**shawhighlander** · 12th March 09, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Big Paul

That has to be one of the most beautiful sgian's I've ever seen!!

.

Oh, boy...Thank you. Sorry about the 'phone quality' pic. I'll try and get a better one posted tomorrow.

But...in the meantime, take another glance at the quality work of Thorin's sgian, for I did not mean to detract from his fine work!

Thanks agian.
Cheers,

**piperdbh** · 12th March 09, 03:51 PM

Regarding soldering, could the pin backs be soldered in before the pewter cools? You might brush a little flux on the pin back and then solder it to the hot pewter. I've never soldered pewter, but I have soldered lead, doing stained glass work.

I REALLY like your work, Thorin. Please post more pics.

ShawHighlander, your knife is a work of art. I think it should be displayed where everyone can see it.