Hand made Celtic knives?

driftwould · 4th August 2016, 08:13 AM

Hi all,

This might be somewhat off topic, but it also connects a bit. I'm looking for advice concerning getting a custom, Celtic knife made. I've been looking around online for smiths to make such an item, but am a bit lost and am hoping you might be able to help.

Some of you know I travel to collect knives hand-made in ancient traditions from different parts of the world. In this case, I'd like to have one made for my own use in the tradition of my own ancestral, Celtic cultures. Does anyone know of someone who can make such an item?

Aside from Celtic decoration, I'd like this functional working knife to have these features:

Full tang, non-folding 4-6" blade
Handle with good grip when wet/gutting game/etc
as corrosion/rust proof as possible (I'm often in jungles)
Single edged blade, flat spine with 90 degree angle for striking fires on flint (can design be added to the spine while retaining this function?)
Damascas
Best balance in toughness/hardness, etc in order to knap, batton, etc - this is a camping/hiking/survival tool that happens to look nice and needs to be durable
Finger guard
Sharp pointy tip (for thrusting, whittling, etc - suggestions and input welcome here!)
Solid, flat(ish?) pommel for light hammering/driving tent stakes/etc

Your input and suggestions on blade shape, grinds (saber, full flat, etc), steel types, as well as other considerations, features, etc for this kind of knife would be very welcome as well!

I'd love a knife that sharpens easily, keeps an edge well, and doesn't corrode or break easily. I know no one knife can have the best of all traits, so I'd also love to hear your thoughts on how what kind of balance can be achieved between my desired traits, through what methods, with what materials, and at what rough price range (rough estimate ).

As for Celtic artistry, I found this to be a beautiful example (see attached photos):

http://iknifecollector.com/photo/cel...ource=activity

I expect I'll have to go with something much simpler, artistically speaking, only because of price considerations, but was hoping you could help out

If this is off topic, please DO more it to an appropriate area - I wasn't sure where to post it...

4th August 2016, 08:13 AM	#1
driftwould Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Currently, Taiwan. Previously China for 6 years. Speak and read 中文 well. Posts: 34	Hand made Celtic knives? Hi all, This might be somewhat off topic, but it also connects a bit. I'm looking for advice concerning getting a custom, Celtic knife made. I've been looking around online for smiths to make such an item, but am a bit lost and am hoping you might be able to help. Some of you know I travel to collect knives hand-made in ancient traditions from different parts of the world. In this case, I'd like to have one made for my own use in the tradition of my own ancestral, Celtic cultures. Does anyone know of someone who can make such an item? Aside from Celtic decoration, I'd like this functional working knife to have these features: Full tang, non-folding 4-6" blade Handle with good grip when wet/gutting game/etc as corrosion/rust proof as possible (I'm often in jungles) Single edged blade, flat spine with 90 degree angle for striking fires on flint (can design be added to the spine while retaining this function?) Damascas Best balance in toughness/hardness, etc in order to knap, batton, etc - this is a camping/hiking/survival tool that happens to look nice and needs to be durable Finger guard Sharp pointy tip (for thrusting, whittling, etc - suggestions and input welcome here!) Solid, flat(ish?) pommel for light hammering/driving tent stakes/etc Your input and suggestions on blade shape, grinds (saber, full flat, etc), steel types, as well as other considerations, features, etc for this kind of knife would be very welcome as well! I'd love a knife that sharpens easily, keeps an edge well, and doesn't corrode or break easily. I know no one knife can have the best of all traits, so I'd also love to hear your thoughts on how what kind of balance can be achieved between my desired traits, through what methods, with what materials, and at what rough price range (rough estimate ). As for Celtic artistry, I found this to be a beautiful example (see attached photos): http://iknifecollector.com/photo/cel...ource=activity I expect I'll have to go with something much simpler, artistically speaking, only because of price considerations, but was hoping you could help out If this is off topic, please DO more it to an appropriate area - I wasn't sure where to post it... Attached Images