Hand made kit

[Destin_scot]

Nice

I am assuming that this is pewter?

[Dranoweb]

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]

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!

[Hopper250]

Great work, I agree leave the knot work it looks fantastic as is.

[Dranoweb]

I have a new batch of photos - I revisited my methods, and made an alignment jig, and increased my guide holes to 4.
the new runs are perfect!.

Kept the design the same as per advice, and did some fill on my first prototype.
Also have a 3rd mild steel blade as it's a little easier to work than the stainless. Although when I took the photo's this one still had MDF stuck in the design from the molding process (the yellow stuff)

Top: original with epoxy and graphite fill (sparkles in the sun)
Middle: 2nd attempt with better alignment
Bottom: mild steel blade - with MDF still stuck in the detailing.
2013-08-13_22-13-52_367.jpg

Freshly cracked mold - very happy!
2013-08-13_21-40-58_364.jpg

Casting sgian dubh MK-II
2013-08-13_21-35-15_531.jpg

The new methods in use
2013-08-13_21-31-58_519.jpg

Positioning the tang - took a bit of patience
2013-08-13_21-21-22_367.jpg

I'm also working on a blunt, mini-sgian dubh for my little nephew as he will be kitted up as well. Planning on making an acrylic handle to lighten it up so he doesn't loose it from his tiny socks. I have filled similar designs before in the same resin, so it should match, but will adopt a 2nd colour tone according to whatever it's placed against.
2013-08-13_17-47-31_265.jpg

[Dranoweb]

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.

I'd be quite interested to see some of your work too. I'm planning on making some leather punches with a variation of my casting methods soon.

[Dranoweb]

A bit more advice if anyone is willing:

I have been tasked to make a few kilt pins/sash pins - I'm thinking of going with the variant of a triskel in a round broach-like presentation.

is there anything special I need to know when pinning a kilt? - other than not to pin both layers together?

[Hopper250]

I asked a similar question and here is the thread

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...lt-pins-80235/

The conclution use tie tack style backs and get the locking closures for them. You won't loose your pin or damage the under apron.

[fluter]

Rare earth magnets are also highly regarded (no holes in fabric).

[TheOfficialBren]

I'd be quite interested to see some of your work too. I'm planning on making some leather punches with a variation of my casting methods soon.

Here you go, mate. Here's one of the belts that I made a while back and posted to this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-masses-79240/

PM me if you get a minute. I have an idea to run by you. Your casting is looking pretty sharp. I love your Tree of Life design.