How to Hold a Scottish Dirk? -- myArmoury.com

Tony Scott · Posted: Tue 02 Nov, 2010 2:04 pm Post subject: How to Hold a Scottish Dirk?

Good day.

I am having a Scottish Dirk made and while I want it historically accurate, I want it to fit comfortably in my hand as well.

Assuming you know what a dirk looks like and that the "ballocks" or "humps" are called haunches....

Some say the pinkie should go around the haunches and I have also read that the pinkie should wrap around the "juncture" of the haunches and the handle. "Juncture" to me means where the haunches meet the handle, not the haunches themselves.

I would like to think that my pinkie could rest ON TOP of the haunches but I understand the dirk was designed the way it was for a reason.

What say you all?

Thanks,

Tony

GG Osborne · Posted: Tue 02 Nov, 2010 2:40 pm Post subject:

Depends. The original dirks of the 17-18th C. had grips about 3" from inside the pommel cap to the start of the ballocks or haunchs. For a modern bloke, this is going to seem quite small. For a person of the period, it would have been quite comfortable. The problem is this: If you want something that looks right but seems small in the hand, go with a 3" grip. If you want something that looks out of proportion but feels right, put on whatever grip suits you. For a great example of what a modern dirk looks like, take a peep at the Hanwei dirks sold by virtually everybody. For a reasonably priced authentic dirk, I would recommend Mike McRae of Scotia Metalworks (see links above.) He knows what he is about when it comes to dirks, just tell him you want it authentic and he will take care of the rest

David Wilson · Posted: Tue 02 Nov, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject:

Short story -- modified ice-pick grip, thumb on top (of the pommel cap).

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

Marc Blaydoe · Posted: Wed 03 Nov, 2010 4:23 am Post subject:

You hold it point downward in your targe hand, so that after you knock the bayonet out of the way with your targe you can come down into his chest with the dirk as you reach beyond with your sword to strike the man in the next rank behind him.

Tony Scott · Posted: Wed 03 Nov, 2010 5:27 am Post subject: But Where does the Pinkie Go?

All who replied to my post -

Thank you! I do realize what is historical and in fact Mike McRae is making this dirk.

I would still like to hear what people think regarding placement of the pinkie. Around the hanunches, at the juncture (a little handle, a little haunches), or around the handle and resting on top of the haunches?

Thanks,

Tony

Chad Arnow · myArmoury Team

This thread has a pic that illustrates a dirk and targe being held together in the manner described.

Photobucket image

However, I seem to remember a thread around here somewhere that states that not all targe grips make this feasible. For instance, in the first pic above, the targe grip would seem to make one's grip on the dirk less than desirable. In the second, your grip on the dirk is better, but the targe might flop or rotate around your arm.

I also think that we shouldn't assume that everyone carried a dirk this way simply because there is a painting with some people doing this.

Edit: Several pages into this thread you'll find a discussion of gripping the dirk and targe together and how that may or may not have worked.

Henrik Bjoern Boegh · Posted: Wed 03 Nov, 2010 6:08 am Post subject:

To me it seems logical that your pinkie goes around the haunches as this enables you to keep very good control of the edge of the dirk... I also like putting my thumb over the pommel, as this will help prevent the dirk from gliding through your hand in case you hit something hard... Some dirks have so wide pommels that this feels unatural, though.

Cheers,
Henrik