Skian Dubh-It-Y'Salf

[Brasilikilt]

Hey Oz

I love the cast bolster! I love antler handled knives in general. With the time and care you're taking for this one, it's certainly going to turn out to be a real beauty!
Are you going to do any jimping on the spine?

I think if you get the tempering the way you want it, and get a nice sharp edge on the blade, you will certainly have a good all around knife to use in the bush.

Just a couple weeks ago when I was at a historical encampment, I found that my sgian dubh was the knife that got the most use by not just me, but lots of folks.
I find that smaller handy knives get used a lot more!

keep us posted on your progress

[Rab Gordon]

That's coming along really nicely.
Consider differential tempering where you heat the spine of the blade more than the edge using a blowtorch.

Rab

[ozmeath]

That's coming along really nicely.
Consider differential tempering where you heat the spine of the blade more than the edge using a blowtorch.

Rab

Thanks for the positive response fellas.
BK I think I'll skip the jimping on this one, kinda like the look of it without.
Rab, what's the advantage of the differential tempering? Wouldn't that make the spine more brittle?
E.

[Rab Gordon]

The higher the tempering temperature the less hard but tougher the metal -so ideal for a more flexible spine (and tang), but keeping a hard edge if you can control the heat spread

not to be confused with differential hardening where you just harden the edge and leave the spine soft

Rab

[ozmeath]

Good advice, thanks Rab and I'll look into it.
Will keep you folks posted. For now I'm off to a folk festival in Far North Queensland. I'll try for some kilted pics while I'm at it.
Erin.