Inquiry --- Traditional Sgain Dubh

[herisson]

Exactly that ! One can get used to it : the pommel nestles nicely in the palm for several common working positions but somehow the knife wants to rest into "cutting edge up position"... Who do you want to slice up ? Nobody at this precise moment...

 

[Jack Black]

The "wear in the sock" and "pointy dagger style" seems to be a Victorian era fad.

Yes indeed.

I got the same one but from Richards 45 years ago in rosewood

Google Sheffield knives and you will find these knives

I'd completely forgotten Richards even produced fixed-blades (now I see them, up on the Richards card! ).

 

[herisson]

And well... PICS ! I'm actually quite fond of this little knife (the materials are really good) but I must regret the silly design : it's conceived around showing it off in your sock while acting all Highlander. Turn that handle 1/2 turn and you get a very efficient fixed blade EDC. And slim the handle down a bit : talk about a piledriver handle for a toothpick...

In short words : the quest goes on !

 

[pmew]

I did say it's a nice knife, nothing dreadful about it. At this price point (and higher) i experienced way more crappier products and service. "Arm pit dagger" (Sgian Achlais ?) : yes it was, and it was a spear, drop or clip point. The "wear in the sock" and "pointy dagger style" seems to be a Victorian era fad.

Sgian Dubh is just 'black knife' in gaelic. Referring more to a hidden or secret 'black' rather than the colour. Worn in the armpit as Jack Black suggested or indeed more or less anywhere that was readily accessible if an opportune moment arose for a wee barney. It was accepted that on entering somebody's house you left your claymore (if you could afford one), dirk, club, pointy stick or whatever at the door but that you would have your sgian dubh hidden somewhere about your person. The wearing in sock thing came about as a gesture of faith for polite society.... I am going to keep my knife on me, let's not mention it, but the simple fact that you can see it is enough....

paul

 

[herisson]

Thanks Paul for the piece of history. The armpit dagger also used to be slightly bigger (4") than what is actually considered normal for a Sgian (3"). I happen to like this "modern" size because it makes for a very handy fixed blade EDC to carry as a necker, pocket or belt knife (I do not wear high socks...). And if I could get one with a plain bog oak handle without exploding my wallet I would be happy. Not successful so far...

 

[Jack Black]

Worn in the armpit as Jack Black suggested or indeed more or less anywhere that was readily accessible if an opportune moment arose for a wee barney.

I think there's a scene in the film Rob Roy, where Liam Neesom whips one out!

Nice to see you back Paul :thumbup:

Thanks Paul for the piece of history. The armpit dagger also used to be slightly bigger (4") than what is actually considered normal for a Sgian (3"). I happen to like this "modern" size because it makes for a very handy fixed blade EDC to carry as a necker, pocket or belt knife (I do not wear high socks...). And if I could get one with a plain bog oak handle without exploding my wallet I would be happy. Not successful so far...

A few of the Sheffield cutlers used to make a version of that size. The 3" blades can be bought easily enough if you ever fancy hafting one yourself :thumbup:

 

[herisson]

Oh, yes ! Blade, wood and fittings can be bought for a very reasonable price. I might go that way. Don't have the bench and tools yet...
Would love to see that Rob Roy movie again... Has some very good scenes : the one with the Sgian is one of them (used to humiliate an infatuated condescending aristocrat).

 

[knarfeng]

Exactly that ! One can get used to it : the pommel nestles nicely in the palm for several common working positions but somehow the knife wants to rest into "cutting edge up position"... Who do you want to slice up ? Nobody at this precise moment...

Sometime in the 1960's a close family friend went to Scotland. On her return, she gave me a small Sgian-dubh. Like yours, it wants to be held cutting edge up. I took an absolutely horrid picture of it just now. It is marked "J Nowill & Sons, Sheffield Gr Britain"

 

[herisson]

The handle to blade ratio looks better on yours. My guess is the handles on these knives are purposely designed for carrying in the top of the right sock, that's why the handle curves outwards (for a righthander). But it makes for a poor grip in the right hand. Excellent grip for a lefthander, though.

 

[knarfeng]

Daylight allows for better pictures. And I added one to illustrate the grip issue. Very comfortable if you don't mind the cutting edge being up. Doable, but considerably less comfortable if you want the cutting edge down.

 

[Jack Black]

I'd completely forgotten Richards even produced fixed-blades (now I see them, up on the Richards card! ).

Strangely, I saw one today, for the first time since I was a kid!

Daylight allows for better pictures. And I added one to illustrate the grip issue. Very comfortable if you don't mind the cutting edge being up. Doable, but considerably less comfortable if you want the cutting edge down.

One or two Sheffield cutlers produce what they term 'working sgian dubhs', which sort of gives the game away with regard to the rest.

 

[knarfeng]

One or two Sheffield cutlers produce what they term 'working sgian dubhs', which sort of gives the game away with regard to the rest.

True. Mine is pretty much a tourist piece. I've had it since the 1960's and have never actually used it. Still fun to have, though.

 

[Jack Black]

True. Mine is pretty much a tourist piece. I've had it since the 1960's and have never actually used it. Still fun to have, though.

Yes, a nice-looking knife for sure, which I guess is all 90% of those who buy them want