Sgian Don't ideas?

**Arlen** · 23rd January 08, 01:29 PM

I am working on making a Sgian Don't that contains a usb flash drive.
It's going pretty well.
How about a Sgian don't that opens up and stores a few extra dollars for emergencies?

**Jeff_MacDonald** · 23rd January 08, 01:43 PM

You might consider Cold Steel's "FGX SKEAN DHU":

More info at Wholesale Hunter. (I list them only because I am a satisfied customer.)

And I wouldn't call that fiberglass-reinforced plastic blade "useless".

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 23rd January 08, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by cavscout

That's a great picture Terry! I don't think I've ever seen that. I carry the modern interpretation of it

When I was with Wilkinson Sword I designed the "Officer Sgian Dubh", originally with four folding blades. Because of contractural problems with the previous owners of WSC, the legal department (in the razor blade division) decided that the Sword Division couldn't produce any knife with a folding blade. I then took my design to Sheffield and had a working prototype made, and then licensed the manufacture to Gaelic Themes in Glasgow. To reduce the weight of the prototype it was mutually decided to eliminate two of the blades, which resulted the the final production version now sold.

As an aside, designs of the clansman's badges set into the grip are the work of Romilly Squire of Rubllislaw, and are perhaps the best clansman's badges currently available-- not suprising when you consider that he not only co-authored the Collin's Encyclopedia, but he is also a Herald Painter to the Court of the Lord Lyon, as well as the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

**BoldHighlander** · 23rd January 08, 02:24 PM

I LIKE!

Originally Posted by cavscout

That's a great picture Terry! I don't think I've ever seen that. I carry the modern interpretation of it

**cavscout** · 23rd January 08, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by MacMillan of Rathdown

When I was with Wilkinson Sword I designed the "Officer Sgian Dubh"

I couldn't remember where I heard someone state they had designed the Officer Sgian. Thanks for reminding me. It's great.

The clan badge is the same high quality badge you wold expect from Gaelic Themes, but I honestly, would rather have the knife without the badge. When I inquired about getting the knife sans badge I was told it's not an option.

I think offering the Officer in black wood w/ nickel fittings and brown wood with brass and no badge would be a big hit.

**McFarkus** · 23rd January 08, 03:12 PM

I recently bought a 'safety' sgian on ebay. It is a single piece of carved ebony with silver fittings. There is no blade, just an extension of the hilt shaped like a blade, not even sharp enough to be a letter opener.

Here's a link to a plastic one found online: https://www.marchbrae.co.uk/acatalog...gian_Dubh.html

Just Google "safety sgian dubh"

**Howard Clark** · 23rd January 08, 03:19 PM

Hey Steve, good to see you back from your holiday. I trust it was a good one ?

Well, it's been a while, but I have made a few folders.

Here's a few from a decade ago http://www.mvforge.com/folder%20gallery.html

What did that sgian set you back ? And where's the source ? Both the blade and the other stuff is just a slip-joint with no lock, and only spring tension holding it open, right ?

And before anyone asks, no I don't do folders much any more, so you can't order one. They show up for sale from time to time on the after market on the net though.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 23rd January 08, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by cavscout

I couldn't remember where I heard someone state they had designed the Officer Sgian. Thanks for reminding me. It's great.

The clan badge is the same high quality badge you wold expect from Gaelic Themes, but I honestly, would rather have the knife without the badge. When I inquired about getting the knife sans badge I was told it's not an option.

I think offering the Officer in black wood w/ nickel fittings and brown wood with brass and no badge would be a big hit.

Unlike Swiss Army Knives, which are produced by the millions, this is a limited production item so manufacturing costs are many time greater than for a standard sgian dubh. Frankly at the price Gaelic Themes charges for this item I don't see it making them a lot of money (our estimated retail at Wilkinson Sword was GB Pounds 90-100!).

I agree that a version with plain grips (black or brown) would widen sales appeal-- it is, after all, a super item.

I've thought about having the grips removed, filing down the rivets, and fitting ivory scales in their place. The $300+ that a local knife maker quoted for the job has, for the moment, put this on a back burner.

PM me if you'd like to discuss this further.

**pipesndrumsnun** · 23rd January 08, 04:21 PM

Call me crazy, but I think a "sgian don't" that has a toothbrush instead of a blade would be great! It is always good to have a toothbrush handy!

P.S. You could keep a tiny tube of toothpaste in your sporran!

**Panache** · 23rd January 08, 04:32 PM

Originally Posted by pipesndrumsnun

Call me crazy, but I think a "sgian don't" that has a toothbrush instead of a blade would be great! It is always good to have a toothbrush handy!

P.S. You could keep a tiny tube of toothpaste in your sporran!

Hmmmmmm...

Travel tooth brushes are readily available and very cheap. It would just be a matter of fitting the cover/handle into a wood handle.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.....

Cheers

Jamie