Scotish Dirk: A Few Questions...

Crayola

Crayola

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
3,831
Any knife maker who has held a Scottish Dirk ought to be able to help me!! Usually on the dirks that I have seen there is a brass pommel and a brass "bolster" (or what have you) at the front. Is the brass at the front a ring around the wood, or is it made like a guard but sanded to the contours of the handle? Is it then pinned on? Soldered to the tang? Etc..... I am still trying to grasp the idea of how exactly to make a hidden tang knife and make a guard for it (I can't see me making it fit right
smile.gif
) and so this area of a dirk is makign me very curious!!!! Please fulfill my curiosity.

------------------
"Come What May..."
 
The Scottish (I presume you mean Highlander) dirk does not have a solid brass pommel but has instead a crystal or gemstone set into what is essentially a large ornate setting fixture set at an angle of about 45 degrees to the axis of the tang/blade. It is set that way to ensure that when held, the lower edge of the setting is against the side of the palm and act as an anchor so that the blade does not slip if grabbed or difficult to remove from the target
smile.gif


The grip is traditionally an interpretation of the scottish thistle but has been varied so much from the original style that it difficult to ascertain what 'original' was. Usually it is checkered with squares of lines at 90 degrees to each other following the contours of the scales. At each jucture, a small brass round headed tack was installed to give extra grip when fighting with a gloved or bloody hand.

The hilt was originally formed to act as a cup to support the scales and to provide a resistance to the threaded portion at the end of the tang under the gemstone.

I have had the opportunity to be the Regimental Museum's Firearms and Edged Weaponry Curator for the last six years and during that time have had many original Claymores, Dirks and Skian Dubh in my hands and partaken in their restorations and repairs with expert assistance from the Edinburough Castle Museums.

Everytime I see an original, I get the 'willies' just thinking about the havoc and chaos that these devices have seen and survived.

Hope that some of this info was of service and if I can help out just tag me an email.

All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath

 
To answer your question ... it is fitted like a guard and ground to the handle shape.At least thats how I do it.
Depending on the age of the dirk there were various handle styles and mounting techniques. Not all dirks had a jewel mounted on the pommel. Some were plain brass or silver. one has a snuff box on the pommel.
Get a copy of "The Scottish Dirk" By James D. Forman
Tons of pics and text in regards to the dirk and sgian dubh.

------------------
There is no such thing as "good enough", either your work is good or it is not. How is your work?
SGT BLADES www.therockies.com/hagar/
 
Hagar;

While I've enjoyed the book by Forman it is a limited view of the history and construction of the weapons. It is more suited to Auction house groups that identify the weapons by similarity to pictures and brief desciptions types and forms.

The style of guard that you apply to your dirks are primarily of a later modification that came with the industrial revolution in the mid 1800's. It is accurate but not traditional but then everything evolves
smile.gif


I don't want you to misunderstand; I'm not saying your wrong and I'm right...I'm saying that I was in error when I thought the originator of this thread was looking for a traditional style dirk configuration.

And Yes; I talk too much and say way more than I ought to on these pages. Got to go grind
biggrin.gif


All the Best

Dileas Gu Brath
 
As the originator of this post, I am quite happy with the responses that I have been getting! Thanks sooooo much. Robert, I'll e-mail you a meeting place real soon! And Dav, I was more interested in that "modern" version for the moment, but I do want to know EVERYTHING about dirks and such, so your comments on the "older" style are much appreciated. Please, tell me more! E-mail is more than welcome, as are dirks in the mail.



------------------
"Come What May..."
 
Dav
In the book I mention there is next to nothing on constuction methods.
I find the dirk and sgian dubh fasinating. Love them!!
And as time passes I will continue to learn more.
LOL.... as I said.. "thats the way I do it" by no means was I saying I did it the right way.
What is the traditional way of attaching the guard?
I dont think you talk too much or say more than you ought too.... how else are we to learn but by talking and expressing views, opinions, experiences, and sharing our knowledge.

".........For we fight,not for glory nor for riches nor for honour, but only and alone for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life."
Declaration of Arbroath 1320

------------------
There is no such thing as "good enough", either your work is good or it is not. How is your work?
SGT BLADES www.therockies.com/hagar/
 
Crayola; You're more than welcome
smile.gif


Hagar; As I promised here is the public apology that is warranted.

Crayola, I had wanted to express to you the 'traditional' and implied formal methodology of Dirk construction and as Hagar had pointed out the various methods that he has seen and completed are more ulitarian than traditional.

As it turns out, I was remiss in that the facts were in error and I was passing information that was incorrect. I have been in email communication with Hagar and I think that we have sorted it out and come to an understanding that I shoot off my virtual mouth before I check my facts
smile.gif
.

With Apologies to all

Dileas Gu Brath
 
Dav... I didn't think there was a need for a public apology.


------------------
There is no such thing as "good enough", either your work is good or it is not. How is your work?
SGT BLADES www.therockies.com/hagar/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top