Thinking of getting a Skein (Sgain) from Irish Arms

[FullerH]

I have been looking at and drooling over the Skeins at the Irish Arms site. The Skein, Sgain to the Scots, is a straight bladed, single edged fighting knife of approximately 24" length, usually worn at the waist and carried by nearly every Irishman during 14th -the 16th Centuries. I find it an especially elegant weapon with appealing lines. The problem is that Irish Arms has not updated their pages since 2001 and the price has risen from $152 at current exchange rates to $238 for a skein and scabbard. Ouch! But it is still within reason for what I understand to be an excellently made weapon. Here is their website: http://www.irisharms.ie/

 

[FullerH]

Well, my sgain is still on order, but I am given to understand that it is in production. Patience seems to be a necessary commodity when ordering swortds from custom makers.

 

[Bryan.H]

There's a great bladesmith on the Isle of Skye, check out his site www.castlekeep.co.uk/dirks.php#images. I bought a sgain dubh from him about ten years ago, prices were a lot cheaper then, but he's undoubtedly one of the best modern bladesmiths in Europe today.