First Sgian Dubh

[Liam_NZ]

Hey guys

My soon to be brother in law is a Scotsman through and through and started taking to me about making some sgian dubhs to give to his grooms men. I have made a couple of knives now that I’m reasonably happy with so I said sure no problem.

Let me know what you think and I appreciate any feedback on what I could do better on my next one.

https://imgur.com/a/roBTT

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

They look nice overall. The only thing that will be an issue if worn in a sock is the round handle. A flatter profile is more comfortable, and indexes the blade to the leg.
Also, there is almost always a section of jimping or filework along the spine.

On brass collars and butt caps, I like to hammer-tone them with a small ball peen hammer with a polished peen. The brass won't stay shiny for long, so the textyured handle looks a lot better once the patina forms. I also like a satin finish on a working knife like a sgian dubh.

 

[Liam_NZ]

Thanks for the feed back Stacy!

I usually prefer to make something a little more practical but when I took on this project but my instructions were shiny shiny shiny and antler handles haha.

Am very interested in the hammer tone look you mentioned. Had a quick look in the search for it but unsuccessful so far.

Arrgh was so torn with the file work. In hind sight I probably should’ve asked here first but they’re with the brother in law about to get engraved now so I might get to have a crack at it before the wedding.

Once again appreciate the feed back!