Scottish Dirk from Anne

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by David

When you say 5" are you referring to overall or just the blade.A 5" blade would seem a bit excessive for a sgian dubh.

the blade is 4.75" & 1.25 wide at the guard, it's only 1/8 in. or so thick but the back is nicely file worked in lines and scallops for 4in. down the spine like a lot of skean dubh & scots weaponry, the last 3/4 in. is double edged. the grip is 4.375", it has an oval guard 1.5x0.75x.125 there is a circular non-magnetic white metal pommel inset into the end of the stag. the blade appears to be hardened stainless steel in that there is no sign of any corrosion or patina, same on the guard & bolster, my magnet is strongly attracted to them tho. i do not think there is any age to this knife. i used the term skean dubh a bit tongue in cheek as it is a bit big tho i've seen 5in. skean dubh blades from custom makers, they probably are normally around 3.5 in., and the guard is not a feature of the black knives i've seen. i still like it tho. i think it's a skean, the dubh part is unlikely .

the longer one is fairly basic, the spine is essentially straight tho the last 4in. or so depart upwards about an eighth of an inch to give a slight overall curvature, there is a slight swelling of the blade thickness just as it enters the stag. i am not sure what kind of tang it has bit the end of the grip has a small peened steel pin that may be the end of the tang. the blade is 17.25in. long, grip just under 3.5in. and blade is 15/16in. wide at the grip, & about 3/16in thick (roughly 5mm) & is quite springy, distally tapering down, the last 4-5 in. has a false edge on the spine.. the fullers are forged in, not ground. scabbard did not survive unfortunately.