Hand made kit

**Dranoweb** · 10th August 13, 10:15 AM

So having lost this post twice now through power spikes - the excitement has gone out of writing a long post.

long story short - I am soon to be married to a lovely (American born) Irish lass (and excuse me while she beats me with a wooden spoon)

Out of respect and acknowledgment of my Scottish heritage, the choice has been made for me to attend in "traditional attire"

however when presented with my kit - I was appalled by everything but the 100% wool, black watch tartan.
I vowed to make as much as I could myself.

So far, I have the items depicted below, and some multiples to make.
criticisms/suggestions/historical notations welcome.
I'm not easy to offend to speak your mind.
PS- some images of the construction phase for interest.

Buckles design was heavily inspired by the bride's choices.
2013-05-25_18-43-49_985.jpg 2013-05-25_21-47-12_874.jpg 2013-05-27_12-42-14_727.jpg 2013-05-27_17-15-46_820.jpg 2013-05-27_17-22-00_543.jpg

Please note - the Sgian Dubh is unfinished, still needs to be tumbled - polished and receive fill.
2013-08-10_16-13-18_195.jpg 2013-08-10_16-13-33_819.jpg 2013-08-10_17-19-37_907.jpg 2013-08-10_17-34-41_971.jpg 2013-08-10_19-21-04_70.jpg

**sydnie7** · 10th August 13, 02:24 PM

Those are both beautiful pieces! You mention "filling" the sgian handle -- with enamel, or ? It's a striking design.

Hope the buckle size doesn't interfere with top of sporran, the way you have them laid out looks as if they might hit when worn. But that may just be the photo arrangement and not true in use.

**Dranoweb** · 10th August 13, 06:49 PM

The buckle is about 5 inches (125mm) across.
In the pictures it is shown against a very small kilt, namely the one to fit my nephew whom is 5 years old, as mine had not arrived at the time.

I'm around 6'6" and in testing, they were quite proportional, and didn't seem to interfere. The sporran it'self is not my work (as may be obvious to some) but was of a good quality. I had gone as far as catching, skinning and tanning some rabbit fur for the task, but that will go to other projects now.

Due to a mistake when casting, one of these buckles is left handed, and the other right (relating to the peg orientation)
I'm not sure which is "correct" but I have the original mold and can make another.

The Sgian Dubh will be filled with the same epoxy/graphite powder mix as the buckle for continuity. The pictures don't tend to do it justice - in the sunlight, it has a slight sparkle and has a nice sense of depth.

The mold halves were a bit misaligned, so I plan to try again, and I need to make three to outfit everyone.
I'm thinking of getting a little more ambitious with the knotwork design. I feel it's a bit too simple for my eye.

**BCAC** · 11th August 13, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dranoweb

The buckle is about 5 inches (125mm) across.
In the pictures it is shown against a very small kilt, namely the one to fit my nephew whom is 5 years old, as mine had not arrived at the time.

I'm around 6'6" and in testing, they were quite proportional, and didn't seem to interfere. The sporran it'self is not my work (as may be obvious to some) but was of a good quality. I had gone as far as catching, skinning and tanning some rabbit fur for the task, but that will go to other projects now.

Due to a mistake when casting, one of these buckles is left handed, and the other right (relating to the peg orientation)
I'm not sure which is "correct" but I have the original mold and can make another.

The Sgian Dubh will be filled with the same epoxy/graphite powder mix as the buckle for continuity. The pictures don't tend to do it justice - in the sunlight, it has a slight sparkle and has a nice sense of depth.

The mold halves were a bit misaligned, so I plan to try again, and I need to make three to outfit everyone.
I'm thinking of getting a little more ambitious with the knotwork design. I feel it's a bit too simple for my eye.

Excellent work! Well done. I think that the knotwork design is good as is.

**English Bloke** · 11th August 13, 01:40 AM

Me too. Smashin'. leave the knotwork, less is more.

**TheOfficialBren** · 11th August 13, 03:00 AM

Seriously, mate! Good-looking stuff!!

I love that buckle design!!!

**Destin_scot** · 11th August 13, 07:50 AM

Nice

I am assuming that this is pewter?

**Dranoweb** · 11th August 13, 07:55 AM

Not pewter, white-metal.
recycled stuff from local coal presses.
mostly microid-x for the buckles, and silver-x (bit of lead for shine) for the sgian dubh

**TheOfficialBren** · 12th August 13, 04:36 AM

Dranoweb, the praise is certainly deserved, my friend. It looks like you have spent a lot of time and effort. The Tree of Life design is among my favourites in Celtic art. I've made a couple of belts (I have one and Nathan, another X-Marker, has one) with a three strand knotweave. Lots of work. A four-strand is even moreso. Well done, indeed.

Re: the Cherokee, we seem to have spread out across the globe.

I am always delighted to come across fellow Cherokee of other nationalities...kind of like being partly of Scottish heritage. I'm from outwith Scotland but I still treasure those roots. An American-born Irish fiance of partial Cherokee heritage--that will be one for the grandkids, mate!