The bonny wee Sgian Dubh

Sylvrfalcn

Sylvrfalcn

Joined
Jun 4, 2002
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One of my favorite little "ethnic" knives is the Scottish Sgian Dubh. Not the least bit unusual for me to have one snug in my sock or tucked into the top of a boot. Useful and very discreet, and, with their simple design and small size, they're quick and fun knives to make.:D

Blades are single edged, taper to a sharp point, and generally run in the 3 - 3 1/2" range (one 10" mill bastard file will produce two very nice sgian dubh blades). The traditional "jimping" on the blade spine is easily accomplished with a 5/32" chainsaw file, and simple antler handles are very traditional for casual "day wear". A fairly straightforward and uncomplicated "first knife making project" that I highly recommend.:thumbup:

Knives in picture; top is from Sheffield England, bottom is from Dykeshead Scotland, and middle three are home made from recycled files with naturally shed axis deer antler handles.

Sarge
 

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Usual fine work by Sarge!:thumbup: This is one knife I could never figure for a last ditch effort knife though, it's just so dayumed small.:confused: ;)
But then with the kilt wearers it may not be too hard to puncture the femoral artery and let 'em bleed out, that is if you wanted to get that close to another man's equipement,:rolleyes: :barf: but I guess desperate men have desperate ways and means.:rolleyes:
Personally I'd want a longer knife, much longer.;) :p
 
Yvsa,
I'm with you, if I have to pull a knife out in a fight it wouldn't be one of these little boogers. Then again, I've done a lot of research on these. Seems they were mostly carried for utility/eating purposes, and while some violence must have surely been done with them, there's little or no hard documentation of it.

A more viable weapon, and one that was undoubtedly a participant in "unpleasantries", would be the Sgian Achlais or "armpit dagger". Same general blade shape, but a good bit larger at around 5-6 inches, they were carried concealed inside the jacket or vest. Don't think one of those ain't on my "do list". ;)

Sarge
 
So serrated edges are not the invention of modern Stainless Steel stamping factories, but are old.
I didn't know that. This is the kind of knowledge I wish could be alongside that in the HI forum proper. Thanks for sharing it here, Sarge.





munk
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
A more viable weapon, and one that was undoubtedly a participant in "unpleasantries", would be the Sgian Achlais or "armpit dagger". Same general blade shape, but a good bit larger at around 5-6 inches, they were carried concealed inside the jacket or vest. Don't think one of those ain't on my "do list". ;)

Sarge
Click to expand...

Now that sounds interesting...
 
munk said:
So serrated edges are not the invention of modern Stainless Steel stamping factories, but are old.
I didn't know that. This is the kind of knowledge I wish could be alongside that in the HI forum proper. Thanks for sharing it here, Sarge.

munk
Click to expand...

Not serated Brad, it's jimping and just decoration.

Actually by all rights this should have been posted in the HI Forum instead of here as it does have to do with knives.
I'd be glad to move it, or you can, if Sarge doesn't object?:confused:

Edit:
It'll take a little while for folks to get used to the new formating, it's no biggie.;)
 
munk said:
So serrated edges are not the invention of modern Stainless Steel stamping factories, but are old.
I didn't know that. This is the kind of knowledge I wish could be alongside that in the HI forum proper. Thanks for sharing it here, Sarge.





munk
Click to expand...

My bad Munk,
I should have given a better description of the jimping as decorative file work similar to guillochage. Properly done, it sort of looks like a snake wriggling along the spine of a sgian dubh.

A picture's worth a thousand words, hopefully the one I've attached helps.;)

Sarge

p.s.: Uh Yvsa? Knife related, yessir, but still O.T. IMHO for a forum devoted to khukuris. This "new deal" gets a bit confusing, but in time will sort itself out
 

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Oh. Well, I learned a little more, thanks Yvsa.
I could go ping pongy trying to put all the round pegs (threads) in the round holes. I bet close enough for horse shoes is OK.




munk
 
Sylvrfalcn said:
My bad Munk,
I should have given a better description of the jimping as decorative file work similar to guillochage. Properly done, it sort of looks like a snake wriggling along the spine of a sgian dubh.

A picture's worth a thousand words, hopefully the one I've attached helps.;)

Sarge

p.s.: Uh Yvsa? Knife related, yessir, but still O.T. IMHO for a forum devoted to khukuris. This "new deal" gets a bit confusing, but in time will sort itself out
Click to expand...

Nice filework Sarge!:thumbup: :cool: :D

And I tend to agree with you about the knife content and being OT as well.
You're right, it'll all sort itself out in time. That's why I didn't move it without your permission.;)
 
I've done a little bit of jimping, and it is fun. Any idea of why it was originally done? Just decorative? I'm convinced that most decorative devices originated from a useful purpose. As I recall it was mainly a Sheffield thing. I remember seeing pocket knives with jimping on every blade and spring back. It looked real flashy.
 
Is it just folk lore that these were made to be concealed after an English imposition of no-weapons rule?

So many I've seen have been just decorative.

Sarge, the Goodbeard? I love your work. It is just "right."
 
Traction for the thumb...

BTW, the fastest bleed out in a human body is only 2" deep. These are more than sufficient for serious social work. I think of them as tools, implements and E&E equipment.

Sarge...nice work...especially the top one of yours...it's has a great line.
 
I think those are cool A*&!!! Sarge, please send some pics of that coleman forge you got set up. I'm really interested in trying some of these file projects. I been collecting old rusty metal for a while now. Files, old cast steel chisels. I gotta make me one of these scottish knives. I'm picturing a neck knife. Any hints. I haven't done any steel work before, but I do machine small parts from brass at work and I've got a really sweet shop. I am going to upgrade to Gold if you guys will have me then I'll put up pics of my shop.

Thanks,

Andy
 
traction for the thumb and to orient the blade as removed from the sheath.
Nice work.
 
Nice work, Sarge - as usual.

Between Sarge's Sgian Dubhs and Howard's Utilikilts I find myself wishing that I were Scottish. Is this a normal thing around here?
 
Dave Rishar said:
Nice work, Sarge - as usual.

Between Sarge's Sgian Dubhs and Howard's Utilikilts I find myself wishing that I were Scottish. Is this a normal thing around here?
Click to expand...

Consider this Dave, most of us aren't Nepali, but we've come to love their national knife, and along the way gained some knowledge and appreciation of their culture. Our interest in knives has a way of opening up other interests and enrichening our lives far beyond their obvious utility as simple cutting tools.

Here's a good example, start reading about the knives of the South American Gauchos, and you'll find yourself drawn in to the lives of these so called "Orphans of the Plains". This will get you started http://www.soygaucho.com/english/trabajo/elcuchillo.html
I personally own several gaucho knives, with blades forged in Tandil, Argentina, South America's equivalent to Toledo, Spain when it comes to fame in producing blades.

Cue the music: "It's a small world after all, it's a small world after all. . . . . .":D

Sarge
 
This forum introduced me to Gaucho knives, as it has so many other things, and only lack of money stopped me from getting any.

I am curious as to why the knives are long and lean, for these cowboys, when those on the American West had different tastes.



munk
 
This thread exemplifies why I love the Cantina. Where else could one start a discussion on Scottish Sgian Dubhs, and wind up talking about South American Gaucho knives, without so much as skipping a beat?

Munk, I hear you man, I cast a very skeptical eye on my first gaucho knife, thinking, "no way a delicate looking critter like that would hold up to being used by a cowhand". Then I took it out camping, and commenced to wail on it, not necessarily treating it with utter contempt, but by no means babying it. It cut well, even handled as much chopping as it's weight could manage, and all around proved itself tough and capable in spite of it's looks. I got my hands on several more, and I like 'em. One thing I noticed is something I've come to recognize as somewhat of a trend among real working knives used in remote areas of the world. The blades are tough, but kind of "soft" by our standards, coming in at around 53-54RC. Yields a blade that holds a decent edge, but can easily by resharpened on nothing more sophisticated than a smooth slate rock fished out of a creek bed. The blade smiths could make the knives as hard as they want to, so the hardness they actually do make them is obviously derived from a time tested formula.

The Laguiole knives of France have gotten a bit hoidy toidy and expensive, but they began as simple work knives of farmers and shepherds. I have several, from several different makers, and in spite of the availability of modern steels and technologies, they're still produced at a Rockwell hardness of 53-54RC. Coincidence? Don't bet on it. It would seem that it's mostly us Americans that are fascinated with knives that'll cut through car doors, cinder blocks, et cetera. Folks that use their knives to earn their living would never dream of subjecting their tools to such abuse.

Sarge
 
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