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View Full Version : Sgian Dubh, himalayan style

kronckew
11th October 2008, 09:41 PM
http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/001/11/0a/21e2_1.JPG

well, browsing e-bay found this 'Sgian dubh' (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=290264996448) in a 'buy it now'
seemed a reasonable price, so it's coming to live with me.

it seems a reasonable approximation of a small tibetan/bhutanese silver mounted knife (dossum?), which i've been on the lookout for for awhile now (lost a few auctions at considerably more moolah than i paid for this 'scottish' version. :) ) ( i know, it may even be a 'chinese' approximation)

wonder if the 'scots' used hairpin laminations, will see when it arrives...
kronckew
14th October 2008, 10:38 PM
dagger has arrived,
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/Dossum/SG100111_DCE.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/Dossum/SG100112_DCE.jpg

in hand picture for scale.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s231/kronckew/Dossum/SG100113_DCE.jpg

5mm thick blade, 3 cm. at bolster, 14.5 cm. long blade, 7 cm. long grip, eight-lobed wire wound section, octagonal pommel section.

silver scabbard with wood lining, braised joints, not soldered.
David
15th October 2008, 01:21 AM
Might just be the photos, but it doesn't lool like silver to me. Have you tested it? :shrug:
kronckew
15th October 2008, 07:06 AM
don't have anything to test it with, prev. owner appears to have given it a good going over with polish, some black tarnish visible in spots, and a quick rub with a micro cloth over the 'silver' produces black oxide. don't think it's a very high grade anyhow.

p.s. - the photo was run thru an enhancer as it came out a bit off color - the cloth it sits on is really white.
kronckew
15th October 2008, 07:30 PM
did a quick vinegar soak last nite, whole blade turned black, no sign of hairpins like on my chinese/tibetan knife, there is some signs of differential hardening along the edge tho. the vinegar did take off the horrible polish that someone gave it at some point looks a lot better.

had a look thru the internet for how to test silver with home items, i'm gonna put a dab of yellow mustard on it on the back to see if it's real silver, mebbe a touch of egg-yolk. should turn black from the sulphur.