Sgian Dubh - sheath done.

SBranson

SBranson

Joined
Oct 29, 2006
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(Sheath now complete... see post #31)

Or.. Sgian Dubh in a mediaeval theme

This started as an order for a Sgian Dubh. For various reasons, this got delayed and then when I got my forges back up and running I forged the blade.
It sat that way for quite a few weeks as I tried to think of a handle.. I kept looking at images on the internet to try to "internalize" the traditional style and from there try to make something original. Well, the style never really made it into my brain despite my having Scottish heritage. Every time I tried to draw the handle I kept seeing pineapples.. :p:p

Well the order was cancelled and I put it aside for a little bit hoping that the handle would come to me and I would finish this off. With the constraints gone, I decided to think a little differently and this idea came to me in a flash.

It's pretty close to what I had in mind.

An interesting thing about this piece of Bog Oak... I tried sanding it but it really looked terrible. It seemed to lose it's essence somehow. In the end I used a scraper to finish it. It looks rougher but the cut of the scraper kept the "flecks" of grain where sanding kinda made the handle look like mud.


Blade is W2 at 4 1/8" long with an OAL of 7 3/4"
Handle is "Ancient Irish Bog Oak" (as it was described on ebay)
The guard and frame are from an old wagon wheel. (Thanks to Ray Richard for the tips on finishing it :))
Pin is a common nail peened.

This is my first frame handled knife.

In case it's not clear, I intended the filing of the guard to be rough and the faceting of the handle to be slightly unbalanced. It's got a real old feel in person. Hard to believe I just finished it last night.

I'm still thinking on the sheath. I know the styling but I'm not sure whether to go for a simple blade cover or make it wearable on the belt.

The real exciting thing for me is that it has opened my imagination to trying some western styled swords.. Can't wait.. :)

SgianDubh_1.jpg


SgianDubh_2.jpg


SgianDubh_3.jpg


SgianDubh_4.jpg
 
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Stuart,

You got some major talent, there.

And, yes, you've made the handle look ancient, and strong.

John
 
Stuart, you knocked it out of the park with this one. Somehow you got the knife to look like it was made 200 years ago and then put in a perfect place for safe keeping until today. The Bog Oak is the very best choice you could have made for that particular knife. "Authentic" comes to mind along with meticulous and a couple of other glowing adjectives. You did well, indeed!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Paul

I saw your comment on John White's thread. I warned you I was going to steal your retention strap shape.;)
 
you should make a boot sheath for it.
Is this one spoken for? If not, I would like to arrange to acquire it.
 
Thanks a lot everyone.

It's a major departure in style for me, not that I have a style pinned down yet, but like I said it opened a whole new world to explore.

I'm very pleased you all like this.
 
Stuart It is very nice and warm it has a that old look you wanted yet very clean keep mixing it up it is fun watch you play with your skills
 
Here's some info on bog oak from an ebay listing that is pretty interesting.

"The Bog Oak have been soaked in many years of history. Over centuries and a mellinium, sinking Oak trunks lay upon the bottom of a surface of water. They lie there for many years without any exposure to oxygen, completely submerged. In result of the chemical processes, the sap from the wood and minerals from the water dye the wood a black color. The birthplace of Bog Oak transpires from a few extremely important components: Oak trees growing by the riverside, a certain speed of the river current, and a few definite minerals in the water. Bog Oak is an extremely rare and unique material which color speaks for itself. The light pinkish yelow color represents aging from three to four hundred years, while the black is equivalent to more than a thousand years. Like elite wines, this incomparable wood undergoes many years of preservation, enabling the wood to gain a few unique qualities. Bog Oak is incredibly stoic, and through it's longevity it obtains an unrepeated texture. For a long period of time Russian " Black wood" has been used in carpentry, jewelry, knifemaking, etc. In Rus' there are many beleifs about the healing properties that Bog Oak contains. The wood is commonly used to heal people, and was especially popular as an item that usually surronded people. This valuable wood emanates a type of living energy that people absorbed involuntarily, thus speeding up the process of healing."
 
Oh you'll get some kilts in a wad calling the Scottish Thistle a Pineapple!!
 
Your Scottish heritage may not have been able to make the Thistle work, but my Scottish heritage thinks that little fellow is superb.

Would you be so kind as to PM me with what a similar one would cost?
 
Ha Ha... When I see pictures of other Sgian Dubhs I clearly see the thistle and it looks great. I just couldn't seem to draw one that didn't look more like a pineapple so I was really hesitant to render it in sculpture. Obviously no offense intended, just a comment on my own "mind's eye". :p
 
Anyone would be proud to tuck that beauty into his or her hose top.
(Let me know if you want to break it in by having it carried in a parade :) )
 
let's call this one Pineapple Bob, shall we?
 
Stuart, First time I saw this knife I thought you had found one of the fittings I had lost out in my shop. If I didn't know you were a new maker I would have never guessed it. I've never been a big fan of Sgian Dubh's but I do like your version of it.
 
Very cool and interesting piece--does look like it came out of someone's family heirlooms from hundreds of years ago. Nice!
 
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