Ok i know chen isnt the best but i'm after something i would use, no frills, has a nice flare to it and isnt over $200...so i'm open to suggestions ;)

But what is your thoughts on the Scottish dirk in the link below? has anyone handled it and what did you think of it...I held one about 3 years ago but its been that long i cant really remember my thoughts on the quality (this was before me being on SFI). So if you were after a cheap dirt bought AS a beater basically do you think this item is an ok buy?

I really like ballock styled daggers and this one just appeals to my taste...as long as it'll keep an edge, isnt going to fall apart and is in my price range i'm open to it. Havnt been keeping up with my weapons obsession lately unforntunately but i'm slowly gonna get back (maybe grab myself a type X Atrim).

http://www.by-the-sword.com/acatalog/images/w034pp.jpg <---one that is titled 034-PP :)

That's not a Hanwei product. It's made in the Phillipines.

ahh well...under the hanwei products when i done a search on that site and never concerned myself with learning there little coding system. :)

thanks anyways...i'll look elsewhere :)

I handled one about two years ago. Keep in mind, it is possible they've changed the design since then, I don't know.

The one I handled was a little clunky and awkward feeling. The edge geometry was pretty obtuse, so that it would take a lot of serious reshaping to get a nice good edge on it. Otherwise it was okay, I guess. I don't know the price, but if you can get it really dirt cheap, it might be worth doing some home improvements with it.

I still have one. It's not too bad for the price, but don't expect total historical accuracy -- the grip is way large, much larger than an original would be. It's also a bit heavier than it should be. Balance and subjective feel on mine are "ho hum", kind of mediocre, but not unbearably bad.

You might want to save up for something better. Then again, if you can find a good deal on it, go for it as a "stand in" until you can find something better.

Nathan Bell has one pictured in his collection: http://www.myArmoury.com/nateb_dagg_casi_dirk.html?1

I used to own one. The grip was way too big and had a big crack in it. I got rid of it.

I'd save up a little longer and get something nicer. You can read up on dirks in our spotlight: http://www.myArmoury.com/feature_spot_dirks.html

It talks about custom and production makers.

Thanks alot for all your replies :D I wanna get into buying scottish blades because i've had enough with fantasy blades and i got my share or norse weapons. But didnt want to jump into the deep end buying say a Vince Evans piece. :) Thanks alot to Chad for directing me to those links :) I'm leaning away from the CAS-I Dirk now and below are my two possibilities...

Armour Class- 18th Century Scottish Dirk (maybe the "S" Basket Hilt to go with it)
MRL - Early scottish Dirk

Ok price wise the MRL piece does look appealing...But what does everyone think of the Armour class dirks? I'm willing to put some more money aside to get a nice piece. Has someone on here bought one? what did you think of it and are their baskethilts of the same quality.

I'm REALLY leaning towards armour class now, cause it looks like one mean piece, its robust and well carved, and appears like it could handle anything thrown at it. any imput? :)

Thanks alot people.

Thanks alot nathan for the tip. I'll be sure to check through the features and reviews first. :)

David thanks alot for your response...looks like Armour Class it is, I read the review of the mortuary basket hilt from them in the review section and it appears to be all positive for craftsmenship. And I agree on the historical look of them...I'll be ordering it likely just before i leave for the states, if Nathan accepts the review I'll take detailed hi-res pics and put a review so others can be informed of there dirk line. :)

Regards. :)

Armour Class is a good choice. Top notch products from top notch people. Oh, and glad ya' liked the review.

Bill

I had the MRL early dirk several years ago. The wood of the grip shrank severely in cool dry weather (in Ohio, that's November through March). It shrunk and loosened enough that it would turn 15-20 degrees or so in each direction.

If they've found a more suitable wood or if you live in a climate where temp and humidity don't fluctuate wildly, it might be okay. It was attractive, but only around half of the year for me.

I was about to mention Armour class to you Robert, but no need anymore I see.

I have an Armour class Scottish Cup and Ring baskethilt in order, ordered it a few weeks ago. Good service sofar, that's a plus. The waiting time is around 20 weeks, for swords anyway, I'm not sure of the same goes for their knives. So I hope you don't mind a bit of a wait.

I emailed them and they have been VERY helpful...to the point in fact they have several different dirk based on historical examples, they're gonna send pictures and then i take my pick of which one i'd like to buy :D So thankfully its pay day today lol...the plus of this is they are made in Scotland, while i know that doesnt determine quality its a plus that any weapon i buy is made in the land it was commonly used and made..

Does anybody have any pics of an Armorclass Dirk? I searched the albums here and couldn't find any. I too am intrigued by their selection (and pricing) and would love to hear from a fellow forumite who owns or has owned one of their dirks.

I'm putting my order through to armor class tomorrow after choosing one of there dirks in stock (apparently the one pictured on site isnt the only type they sell).

Thanks alot guys for all the responses, and Chad those pictures of the AC dirk look very attractive, and meant for business!