Early Dirk,

[Dughlas mor]

Micric,
Thank you for that response. I am fairly handy at certain things, I`m a fair leatherworker, and I have put a few knives together in the past. I`ve never gone as far as to make my own blades, though. I recently inherited a good set of wood carving tools from a neighbor, so I`m thinking about putting a dirk together, when I can find the time, which, as you say, isn`t always easy to do. Allow me to compliment you again on your dirk, which I`m sure any serious re-enactor would be pleased to own, it has a very authentic look to it.
Cheers, Doug

[Micric]

Thank you again Doug.

Just had a brainwave. (!)
If you Do want to put a dirk together, I have a pal who makes fantastic blades in the Czech republic, who Might be persuaded to make one or two for us.
He normally does only finished work, but has made me a blade before now, And welded a broken blade back together for me. (Wootz steel as well)
Can't put his name up here as it we would be asking a favour of him.
If interested, I'll contact him.
Most of the commercial blades I've seen are a waste of time.

Richard.

[Dughlas mor]

Micric, thanks for that generous offer, but I honestly don't know when I will be getting to that particular project. When I do, I know of a couple of good smiths here locally who could provide me with a quality blade. I sure appreciate the thought, though!
Doug

[MacRob]

I`ve never been fortunate enough to see or handle a Vince Evans piece, but I have certainly drooled over the photos. It is my understanding that the dirk handles are actually carved by his wife, Grace. I would go as far as to say that they are so well done that they exceed the quality of the carving I have seen on any of the surviving antiques. I know he has a heck of a long waiting list, and I think that if you have to ask the price, you probably can`t afford one. I know I can`t!

I own a dirk and a sgian made by Vince. His work makes him, arguably, one of the two best dirk makers in the country, the other being Glen McLain. His work is expensive but worth every penny of the cost. Grace does most of the carving and is self-taught. In addition, they are very nice people. I was fortunate to meet them at the Atlanta Blade Show a few years back. When I got my dirk and Sgian, two years ago, there was no wait. He is a full-time maker so there are no distractions.

[MacRob]

Orvis,

No, I haven't looked at Vince Evans site, but will have a dekko as time permits. Thanks for that!

My own way of doing things is to study originals, even in photos, and then, study them some more!
Get them engraved on your mind, so that as soon as something looks 'off' you will notice it.

No reflection on Vince here, and I am sure he does Not fit this category, but quite often we see "how to" books, written by people who need to be learning, rather than teaching!
Edited to add;
Just looked at Vince's sight, and his work is some of the Very Best I have ever seen.
Has some lovely Migration swords, and even makes the humble Sax look nice. I didn't see anything that didn't look "right".
Thanks for mentioning him Orvis!

Vince has visited Scotland on at least one occasion and during that visit was invited into areas of museums normally closed to the public, where he had the opportunity to closely examine original dirks and swords. That has contributed greatly to the quality of his workmanship.

[Orvis]

I can second MacRob concerning the quality of Glenn McClain's work - I own a dirk, a sgian ochlais, an 18th c. dining set and a 19th c. push dagger from him. His work is top flight for authenticity and quality. And, like Vince Evans' work, Glenn's work is not inexpensive. I have come to know Glenn as a friend over the years and seen a lot of his work - to me, it is worth it. Plus, Glenn is a fine gentleman and very easy to be around. To the best of my knowledge, Glenn does not make swords, although he sometimes has original swords for sale.

Glenn makes/engraves his own blades and metal fittings, and makes/carves the hilts for his blades. Glenn's wife, Cami, makes the leather scabbards, for which he fabricates the metal parts.

Glenn does not have a web site, but he does attend blade and military collector shows and some reenactments/trade fairs in the eastern U.S.. His best advertising is the endorsement of those of us who own his blades. His work is also reviewed at sites like MyArmory.com.

[Micric]

Orvis,

I have admired Glenn's work for a long time now, since I first saw it in a "Muzzleloader" magazine.
Very Very nice, and an inspiration to me!

Thanks for bringing him up, as his work is some of the Very best!

[CamelCody]

Mike Mcrae from Scotia Metal Works also makes some pretty neat stuff. I don't own one of his dirks personally but they look pretty well made on his site...
In the OP's post I thought I saw a sliver of a sheath. If so I wouldn't mind a picture of it as I'm trying to get ideas for a my DIY dirk.

[Micric]

C-Cody,

I only have one picture any good of the scabbard, and will attach it.
Said scabbard is nothing like a traditional dirk scabbard though! I just used what I had, (Wide pig-skin-looking belt) and stitched it down both sides, with a wide aspacer for the spine, and a narrow spacer on the cutting side so it would not cut the stitching in use.
No wooden liner. Maybe I should make a proper one, but time is as always, short.

The sgian, I left polished bright, not aged.DSCN1048.JPG

[CamelCody]

that looks good I like it, I wouldn't worry about it being non-traditional. I'm sure the ancient highlander would've used whatever materials he had at hand and who knows what sort of scabbards were used back then that we don't know about. thanks for the pics their good inspiration, slainte