Despite deciding that I'd not purchase any unplanned toys for awhile, the opportunity to own a new Scottish Dirk by Vince Evans popped up and I took it.

You see, many years ago I owned a particular dirk from Vince that had a very thick spine that was about 1/2" thick. He based the piece on an antique located in the reserve collection at the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Personal financial needs forced me to sell many high-quality items to raise cash and the dirk was one that had to go. I've regretted it since because that was a very special piece and the robust-bladed style really left a lasting impression on me.

When Vince contacted me to tell me he had made another example of this style, there was simply no way that I could resist purchasing it.

This piece is comprised of a finely-carved grip made of a beautiful Briar wood burl. Its characteristics are reminiscent of earlier dirk styles dating to perhaps 1650-1680. The end is capped with a disc and tang button of antiqued brass.

The dirk is about 17.25" long overall with a 13.5" long blade. The wedge-shaped blade is 5/16" thick at the base and has a 6.75" long false edge. The sheath is wet-formed leather with decorative tooling that is inspired by an antique inspected by Vince.

The spine has a decorative motif comprised of incised lines in chevron patterns, circles, a sun-burst, file-worked gimping, and an inscription also copied from the antique in the reserve collection. It says:

FEAR GOD AND DO NOT KIL

Here are some quick photos for you to see the piece. At the end are photos of the dirk displayed with two others from Vince Evans including my brass heart dirk I purchased for myself as a Christmas present and an earlier example of a highland dirk also in my collection.

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Click any of the photos to see full-sized versions.

Nathan,

That is by far the nicest example of this early style of dirk I have ever seen! Vince is the man. The wood grain of the hilt goes very nicely with the overall design. Is it burl?

Congratulations on adding it to your collection.

Chris

Another gorgeous piece. Vince is the best IMHO. Hope to meet him at the Atlanta Blade Show in June.

oooh! Lovely. I actually like this one better than the one you had to sell. Well done again, Vince! Congrats, Nathan!

Cheers,
Henrik

Nathan:

Out of all three, I like the newest item the best. IMHO.

Grip, carving, color contrasting between carved and smooth, blade [ those thick spined dirks are in a class by themselves] blade profile and a nice combo of false edge and file work. Sheath is nice too.

As an architect once told me...."Monastic Beauty". Simple in their own right - yet exquisite. Elizabeth Taylor, Halle Berry and Avril Lavigne come to mind. Sorry.

I once way years ago, had Patrick Thaden do a pattern welded and 11" filed blade, fluted osage orange handled Italian ballock dagger. With brass highlights, pattern welded hilt and pommel cap with pierced and filed nut. Some slight monetary needs in other areas and it just did not fit my time period - so...I sold it. What a foolish thing to do.

It was in Patrick's early years and the cost was embarrasingly inexpensive. I have priced similar items since and the cost would far exceed $1,000 easy. Needless to say, even if it did not fit my time period...I have NEVER seen anything like it since. And should have kept it.

Very nice, very nice.

That's really a gorgeous dirk. I'm very jealous of all three, actually. I love my dirk, but I do miss having one with a carved handle in my collection.

Another nice piece for Nathan! Good pick up, I really like this dirk.

Congratulations Nathan,

I love the blade proportions and especially the thick back and trasition to the blade terminus. It's really a striking dirk.

Beautiful dirk Nathan! :)

"sigh"..... beautiful, just as I would expect! Good catch!

Nathan, very beautiful Dirk.

Is this particular Dirk based on "LC 15" from the Museum of Scotland Edinburgh?

If so Mac has pics of the original on his Picture Trail website here:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/4791582

Thanks

Danny

It's based on a few different originals but I'm not sure what their ascension numbers are.

Here are links to the specific dagger you are referring to:

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/183784186
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/60632765
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/60640488
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/60632964
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/60632971
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/main/4791582/60632986

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"LC 15" from the Museum of Scotland Edinburgh