Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 8:49 am
Work in progress My first dirk
Posts: 2,294 Location: East backwoods-assed Texas
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 8:54 am
That is freakin' sweet! Keep us informed!............McM
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 9:05 am
Mark Moore wrote: |
That is freakin' sweet! Keep us informed!............McM |
Thanks Mark , This Dirk will have a knife and fork side by side in the sheath , those handles are done also as they were practice for this one. I will post pics of them as soon as I take some at a lower pixel count.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 1:22 pm
Posts: 42 Location: California
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 1:46 pm
Those are gorgeous! I was just about to ask if you carved the handle yourself when I saw the second group of pictures you posted and saw what you started with. What kind of stone is that you put in the pommel?
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Fri 03 Oct, 2014 3:51 pm
Ryan McLaurin wrote: |
Those are gorgeous! I was just about to ask if you carved the handle yourself when I saw the second group of pictures you posted and saw what you started with. What kind of stone is that you put in the pommel? |
Thanks Ryan , it took me about 4 days to carve, sand, and burn that handle , it's black walnut. The big stone is 170 ct cubic zirconia and the smaller ones are around 30 ct give or take 5 ct. The large setting is the pommel nut also ,I cut it to a 45 degree angle inside and out to get the stone as low as it is.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Sat 11 Oct, 2014 6:26 pm
WIP Scottish Dirk handle #2
Posts: 1,220 Location: Cork, Ireland
Sun 12 Oct, 2014 5:56 am
Very nice work Gerry.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Sun 12 Oct, 2014 8:36 am
Stephen Curtin wrote: |
Very nice work Gerry. |
Thank you Stephen , here is where I am after last night. This handle should be done next weekend.
Attachment: 77.66 KB

Posts: 1,241 Location: NC
Sun 12 Oct, 2014 5:15 pm
Very nice work. I assume that you have read Vince Evans' book or articles about making this sort of carved handle on a dirk as it looks very much like the style used by Vince.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:15 am
Lin Robinson wrote: |
Very nice work. I assume that you have read Vince Evans' book or articles about making this sort of carved handle on a dirk as it looks very much like the style used by Vince. |
Thanks Lin , These being my first Dirks , All research leads to Vince Evans. I have made 4 previous Bowie type knives but I needed to learn wood carving , wood burning , and silver soldering to make these. I found Vinces' online article about Dirks then purchased both books . The rest of my research was basically looking at Dirk designs old and new. I practiced these newly learned skills until I felt confident enough to start these projects. I'm still working on metal engraving. I don't recall any with the thistle design carved into the grip ,many have them engraved in the metal parts. I didn't want to copy Mr Evans work 100% but I love the leaves under the pommel and the Celtic knots are almost a must for me. Hopefully my work will make Mr Evans proud. Gerry
Posts: 1,241 Location: NC
Mon 13 Oct, 2014 5:29 am
I'm sure that Vince and Grace will be happy to see what you have done. They are very nice people.
I got a tool kit and materials together myself but then met Vince and Grace at the 2012 (?) Blade Show in Atlanta, where I got to closely examine one of their dirks. Ordered one on the spot and a year later I bought a sgian to complement the dirk. I don't think I will ever be able to come close to what they - and you - can do with a block of wood and some brass!
What sort of blade are you using or did you forge it yourself?
Any way, I admire your skill and hope you will continue to do this sort of thing.
Posts: 37 Location: Northern California
Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:10 pm
Re: Work in progress My first dirk
Gerry Anderson wrote: |
I just wanted to share my first handle. I am making two Scottish Dirks , one for my Father and one for me. |
Really like what you've done. Did you make your blades or source them already finished?
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Mon 13 Oct, 2014 5:27 pm
Re: Work in progress My first dirk
Richard Eskite wrote: |
Gerry Anderson wrote: | I just wanted to share my first handle. I am making two Scottish Dirks , one for my Father and one for me. |
Really like what you've done. Did you make your blades or source them already finished? |
Thanks Richard , I make my own blades mostly from old files. I made a forge out of an old gas grill and I anneal the files in another old grill body. The blades are just roughed out right now , they will be finished last.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Tue 14 Oct, 2014 6:06 am
Lin Robinson wrote: |
I'm sure that Vince and Grace will be happy to see what you have done. They are very nice people.
I got a tool kit and materials together myself but then met Vince and Grace at the 2012 (?) Blade Show in Atlanta, where I got to closely examine one of their dirks. Ordered one on the spot and a year later I bought a sgian to complement the dirk. I don't think I will ever be able to come close to what they - and you - can do with a block of wood and some brass!
What sort of blade are you using or did you forge it yourself?
Any way, I admire your skill and hope you will continue to do this sort of thing. |
Thanks again Lin , I do plan on making more. I actually have another handle that I set aside because I got the edge side too narrow for a strap. When I got the idea to carve a thistle into the handle I tried it on that handle first to make sure it would work and that I liked it. I like it so much it may appear on all my future handles , because I can see it completed in my head. That handle , will be my daughters Dirk with some kind of Celtic heart on the opposite side. I would encourage you to get some bass wood and just practice carving , you can only get better. Is it wrong for me to want to collect my own Scottish Dirks? lol I am also going to make myself a Sgian ,then get a kilt in the Anderson tartan.
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Sun 26 Oct, 2014 6:13 pm
Dads Handle
Posts: 11 Location: Richmond Va USA
Sun 16 Nov, 2014 5:46 am
Update and WIP Sgian Bubh
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