The making of a damascus Sgian Dubh (picture heavy)

**Joe Gondek** · 29th August 07, 10:33 AM

That is one nice blade
I had not thought of using cable
what is the quailty of the steel?

**jmercier** · 29th August 07, 10:35 AM

The total amount of work I put into the blade to finish it is probably around 100 hours, of which half of that was hand sanding. I learned a ton, and the next one i make will probably take less than half the time.

**jmercier** · 29th August 07, 10:36 AM

The steel in the cable is 1095, around 1 point of carbon. Crane cable needs to be very tough, Even accounting for decarb during forge welding it together it's plenty high carbon.

the link at the bottom of my thread should be
http://www.tharkis.com/images/sgiandubhlarge.jpg

I messed up when making it, and the forums keep hanging when I try to edit the post. This is my 3rd attempt to reply to your question... the forums are eating my replies !!

**Joe Gondek** · 29th August 07, 10:54 AM

thanks for the Information I did't think that cable had that high a carbon content
I love this board you learn something new eveyday if you're not careful

**Sean_the_Kilted** · 29th August 07, 12:11 PM

Awesome work. Thanks for the step by step pictures. I don't have forge equipment, but i need to get off my butt, order a blade blank ,and make one as I have been meaning to for a long time.

**McMurdo** · 29th August 07, 12:21 PM

Thanks for a wonderful thread, it looks to be a very nice sgian ans one suitable for passing down through the generations you should be proud of the work you have done there.

**Colin** · 29th August 07, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by jmercier

My appologies, my relies which the forum had eaten all appeared at once.

Unfortunately in our attempt to keep the site spam free, some new members get caught in the spam filter. This ususally happens to most new members until they pass that 10 post mark. You should be good now.

**JRB** · 29th August 07, 03:11 PM

Awesome sgian dubh. I really like the look of cable damascus. I have a pattern welded leafblade sword with a cable damascus pommel and crossguard. When you see cable damascus next to pattern welded steel you can really see the difference.
here is a shot of the hilt. I hope I'm not hijacking this thread...

**Monkey@Arms** · 29th August 07, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by jmercier

the link at the bottom of my thread should be
http://www.tharkis.com/images/sgiandubhlarge.jpg

I messed up when making it, and the forums keep hanging when I try to edit the post.

Great knife! When the forum hangs when editing an old post, try clicking the "go advanced" button. That usually does the trick.

Best regards,

Jake