Help with Dirk Frog

**freddie** · 10th September 07, 08:53 AM

Recently I bought a (authentic looking) replica dirk off ebay and I've just bought myself a 'dirk frog' to attach it to my belt. However, to my horror the metal loop on the back of the dirk is smaller than the leather loop on the frog ! The frog strap measures 3cms but the metal loop is only 1.5cms. I assume that the strap loops through the metal loop, but am I missing something ? like, can you get some kind of adapter ? The manafacturer of the frog (Mossie Croft) says that it's made to the MOD specification so is the dirk half size ? (it certainly looks full size to me). Has anyone else come across this problem ? I'd really like some help with this please

**James MacMillan** · 10th September 07, 09:08 AM

It would seem the easiest thing to do would to carefully trim a little from both sides of the strap, then put some edge dressing on it and use it. If I were dong it I would use a large pair of sheers or an exacto knife or razor blade.

The strap is largely hidden by the dirk when worn anyway.

**cacunn** · 10th September 07, 09:18 AM

I would make an adapter. I will try to describe since I done have my graphic program with me. Think of a mushroom with a long stem. The stem is the width of the piece on the back of the dirk. The head of the mushroom is wide enough to have a slot that loop on the frog can go through. Pass the frog loop through the top of the mushroom and the stem of the mushroom through the back of the Dirk. Loop the stem of the mushroom back up to the top of the mushroom and attach it with a snap or by sewing.

Other than it would give you two pieces of leather going through the buckle you could also punch a hole in the end of the stem and pass it through the buckle and just use the buckles tung to hold the stem in place.

I hope that this isn't to confusing. If someone hasn't given a better suggestion I'll draw pictures tonight.

**James MacMillan** · 10th September 07, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by cacunn

I would make an adapter. I will try to describe since I done have my graphic program with me. Think of a mushroom with a long stem. The stem is the width of the piece on the back of the dirk. The head of the mushroom is wide enough to have a slot that loop on the frog can go through. Pass the frog loop through the top of the mushroom and the stem of the mushroom through the back of the Dirk. Loop the stem of the mushroom back up to the top of the mushroom and attach it with a snap or by sewing.

Other than it would give you two pieces of leather going through the buckle you could also punch a hole in the end of the stem and pass it through the buckle and just use the buckles tung to hold the stem in place.

I hope that this isn't to confusing. If someone hasn't given a better suggestion I'll draw pictures tonight.

Yea - That would work better! The mushroom mental image works for me!

**cacunn** · 10th September 07, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by James MacMillan

Yea - That would work better! The mushroom mental image works for me!

I was afraid that I had too many mushrooms in the 60's and my image was warped.

**Bob C** · 10th September 07, 12:11 PM

I ran into the exact same problem with my dirk and frog. I trimmed the sides of the strap to fit through the bar on the sheath. It works fine.

If I were doing it again, I'd notch the frog strap at the point where it would pass through the bar, then unscrew the bar, fix it in place over the strap and screw it in, again. A little Lok-tite or super glue would keep the screws from straying. You would not be able to easily remove the sheath from the frog, but why would you need to?

As you can tell, I've thought about this. Good luck.

**cacunn** · 11th September 07, 07:18 AM

I think I over engineered my fix. I might take a piece of leather shoe lace or black nylon cord. Tie it into a loop about an inch and a half in diameter. pass the loop through the bar on the back of the dirk and then the frog through both ends of the loop. I would adjust the size of the loop so I could just get the frog strap through both ends. This would pin the bar of the dirk against the frog strap and cut down on the string.

A quick simple fix and no tools needed other than a sgain dubh or other knife.

**sirdaniel1975** · 16th September 07, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

If I were doing it again, I'd notch the frog strap at the point where it would pass through the bar, then unscrew the bar, fix it in place over the strap and screw it in, again. A little Lok-tite or super glue would keep the screws from straying. You would not be able to easily remove the sheath from the frog, but why would you need to?

As you can tell, I've thought about this. Good luck.

I personally like this one.

It will look and work the best, being less materials involved.

**freddie** · 17th September 07, 02:01 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've decided to go along with Bob C.'s idea and make notches to the width of the bar on the back of the dirk.
One other point. Do you wear it with the buckle facing the dirk (outwards) or facing the kilt with the dirk hanging on the plain side ?
Maybe some of our piper friends will know the answer to this one.

Once again. Thanks !

**James MacMillan** · 17th September 07, 02:22 PM

Can't help you with which way to wear the frog buckle - But, speakling from experience, make sure you use a round punch in the corners of your knotch, or it may well tear with use. If you don't have a leather punch for this, it is worth it going to a cobbler to have it done.

If you just make notches with a knife, it will tear!