Hi all,

Some time ago I made a thread where I showed some in-prosess photos of a dirk handle I hade carved.
At the time I posted it I was in the prosess of getting my hand on a blade.
I recieved the blade earlier this summer, and I'm almost done with the fitting of the handle to the blade. I just need to fix a bit on the pommelplate and shape the tang-nut a bit and glue the hilt and its' components to the blade!
I will make an all-leather scabbard with brass tip and tooling for it as well.
Up till now it has been very interesting to work with, and when I'm done with this dirk I will make some Norwegian knifes and more dirks! :D

Here are some pictures I have taken with my webcamera... The camera I usually use won't be in the house till sunday, and I can't wait that long to share this!!! :D

Cheers,
Henrik

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Composite pictures of the hilt. [ Download ]

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Overall view. [ Download ]

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In hand close-up. [ Download ]

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Overall view in hand. [ Download ]

Excellent job, Henrik ..... must feel great to finally have it mounted up and nearing completion !
I look forward to seeing some clearer images of it.

You should be proud .... keep up the good work, Mac

Very nice, Henrik, very nice. That certainly looks good, very professional job you've done. Where did you acquire the blade?

Look forward to seeing the final product.

Kenton

Thanks for the kind words!
I'll post pictures of it when I get the camera, I hope.

The hilt is a bit askew, but I'm very happy with that, because it reflects that's it's my first project and gives it a lot of character. The colour doesn't come to justice in the pics here, but I hope to get proper lighting when I take new photos. It has a reddish-brown colour I made using leatherstaining and was enriched by both the cooked linseed oil and the danish oil I finished it with.

The blade (and the tangnut) I got from this forums very own Russel Thomas, who lives in Norway. It's approx 37cms (14-15") long He hasn't yet acuired a stabile internet conection yet, which is a pity, because I'd love to show him better pictures than the MMS ones I've sent to him during the prosess. He's also given me many good tips along the way, and I owe him a great thanks!

Cheers,
Henrik

Great job, Henrik. I, too, look forward to seeing the better pictures soon.

Henrik Bjoern Boegh wrote:

...The hilt is a bit askew, but I'm very happy with that, because it reflects that's it's my first project and gives it a lot of character....

How did the hilt end up askew? I recall from the earlier thread that you were carving the hilt, and then planned to drill a hole for the tang. We had discussed some issues with keeping the hole on the center of the grip. I wonder if that was the reason for the 'askewness'? And do you have any "lessons learned" that you would like to pass along to the rest of us?

Henrik, absolutely fine work. The carving is very nice. I wouldn't mind having a piece of your work in my collection. If you get the bug, send me a PM. Seriously!! :cool:

Hello, Henrik,
Congrats to you for your new dirk. Although the pics are somewhat unfocused, it looks really nice. Never mind that the handle is a tad askew. I don´t think that original dirk handles are that symmetrical, so this will make your dirk appear the more authentic. :)
Really good work! Compliments to the blade maker as well!
Cheers
Thomas

Steve,
I think the hilt got a little askew because I did make the carvings first, and the only bits I had for my drill were half the length I should have used (the bit was about 5cms/2" and I should have used one 10cms/4" long). The pommel is a bit "off" to the sides as a result of a small errors I did in the start. I've learned a lot during the process!

George,
Thank you! That's about the greatest compliment one can get! :D
I'll have to get more blades, but we can discuss another dirk project. Seing as this is my first dirk (actually it's my very first knife!) it has great affectionate-value to me, so I don't think I'll sell this one. And I think what I've learned will help me a lot when I make the next dirk.

Thomas,
Yeah, I figured that it would give it a more "campaigned" look... And it certainly gives it a bit of charm :D

Bruno,
I'm sorry about the low quality of the pictures. As I said in the first post, I'll get some better ones done with a good camera tomorrow.
The blade is EN45 steel and is handmade by Paul Binns, and all the finishing is done by Russel Thomas, and I'm very happy with it!

I have been working all this evening with the scabbard and I should be done with everything this coming week, I hope. Stitching 3mm leather is hard!

I would like to add one thing: I've only used one electric device whilst working one this dirk, and that's the drill! Now, I don't mean to brag, but I'm especially proud because of this. Meaning I've probably done most of the work the same way as the 17th-18th century dirkmakers :D

Again, thanks for the good feedback, it makes me want to make many more dirks!

Cheers,
Henrik

Henrik,

Wow! That is a fantastic looking dirk. If your first attempt looks that good, can't wait to see your next one!

Keep up the great work and please post more photos when you can!

Chris

Thanks, Chris!

Here are some pictures I took with a decent camera today :)

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[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

[ Linked Image ]

Cheers,
Henrik

That's coming along beautifully Henrik. I love the color of the wood.

A superb Job Henrik! What a nice dourke you have made fellow!
Carving work looks just excellent...
Aye! an biodag Gàidhealach.... "Durke-maker" !!! sounds just great te me ears.
Look forward to seeing more photos.
Keep up the great work .
Slàinte mhath!

Wow! I'm extremely impressed with your work. That hilt is beautiful.

sweet !

thats a great blade.... very cool

please keep it up...

Greg ;)

Thank you!

I will post pictures of the finished dirk and scabbard as soon as I get some decent photos taken.

Cheers,
Henrik

Henrik,
That dirk is looking absolutely beautiful. Wish I had the talent to do something like it. Love the wood work. Anxious to see the finished project.

That's absolutely Gorgeous.

I agree with Patrick that the colour of the wood grip is really beautiful, the sculpting of the handle is also very attractive. :cool: