Scottish Dirk from Anne

t_c · 8th November 2007, 06:19 AM

That's a nice little blade.
I have heard that skean dubh were named so due to the fact that they were a "boot" knife and meant for a stab in the back vs. what one might regard as a fair fight, hence the "dark" connotation, but the ones I have seen (modern pieces) are usually made with a black or dark wood handle which makes me wonder. Anyone know the meaning or history behind the name?

Rand:
I believe "shear steel" implies that it was forged from an old pair of shears, but I'm not sure on this.

8th November 2007, 06:19 AM	#12
t_c Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ca, usa Posts: 92	That's a nice little blade. I have heard that skean dubh were named so due to the fact that they were a "boot" knife and meant for a stab in the back vs. what one might regard as a fair fight, hence the "dark" connotation, but the ones I have seen (modern pieces) are usually made with a black or dark wood handle which makes me wonder. Anyone know the meaning or history behind the name? Rand: I believe "shear steel" implies that it was forged from an old pair of shears, but I'm not sure on this.