Sgian Dubh, himalayan style

kronckew · 11th October 2008, 10:41 PM

well, browsing e-bay found this 'Sgian dubh' in a 'buy it now'
seemed a reasonable price, so it's coming to live with me.

it seems a reasonable approximation of a small tibetan/bhutanese silver mounted knife (dossum?), which i've been on the lookout for for awhile now (lost a few auctions at considerably more moolah than i paid for this 'scottish' version.

) ( i know, it may even be a 'chinese' approximation)

wonder if the 'scots' used hairpin laminations, will see when it arrives...

kronckew · 14th October 2008, 11:38 PM

dagger has arrived,

in hand picture for scale.

5mm thick blade, 3 cm. at bolster, 14.5 cm. long blade, 7 cm. long grip, eight-lobed wire wound section, octagonal pommel section.

silver scabbard with wood lining, braised joints, not soldered.

David · 15th October 2008, 02:21 AM

Might just be the photos, but it doesn't lool like silver to me. Have you tested it?

kronckew · 15th October 2008, 08:06 AM

don't have anything to test it with, prev. owner appears to have given it a good going over with polish, some black tarnish visible in spots, and a quick rub with a micro cloth over the 'silver' produces black oxide. don't think it's a very high grade anyhow.

p.s. - the photo was run thru an enhancer as it came out a bit off color - the cloth it sits on is really white.

kronckew · 15th October 2008, 08:30 PM

did a quick vinegar soak last nite, whole blade turned black, no sign of hairpins like on my chinese/tibetan knife, there is some signs of differential hardening along the edge tho. the vinegar did take off the horrible polish that someone gave it at some point looks a lot better.

had a look thru the internet for how to test silver with home items, i'm gonna put a dab of yellow mustard on it on the back to see if it's real silver, mebbe a touch of egg-yolk. should turn black from the sulphur.

11th October 2008, 10:41 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Sgian Dubh, himalayan style well, browsing e-bay found this 'Sgian dubh' in a 'buy it now' seemed a reasonable price, so it's coming to live with me. it seems a reasonable approximation of a small tibetan/bhutanese silver mounted knife (dossum?), which i've been on the lookout for for awhile now (lost a few auctions at considerably more moolah than i paid for this 'scottish' version. ) ( i know, it may even be a 'chinese' approximation) wonder if the 'scots' used hairpin laminations, will see when it arrives... Last edited by kronckew; 11th October 2008 at 11:07 PM.

14th October 2008, 11:38 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	dagger has arrived, in hand picture for scale. 5mm thick blade, 3 cm. at bolster, 14.5 cm. long blade, 7 cm. long grip, eight-lobed wire wound section, octagonal pommel section. silver scabbard with wood lining, braised joints, not soldered.

15th October 2008, 02:21 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	Might just be the photos, but it doesn't lool like silver to me. Have you tested it?

15th October 2008, 08:06 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	don't have anything to test it with, prev. owner appears to have given it a good going over with polish, some black tarnish visible in spots, and a quick rub with a micro cloth over the 'silver' produces black oxide. don't think it's a very high grade anyhow. p.s. - the photo was run thru an enhancer as it came out a bit off color - the cloth it sits on is really white.

15th October 2008, 08:30 PM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	did a quick vinegar soak last nite, whole blade turned black, no sign of hairpins like on my chinese/tibetan knife, there is some signs of differential hardening along the edge tho. the vinegar did take off the horrible polish that someone gave it at some point looks a lot better. had a look thru the internet for how to test silver with home items, i'm gonna put a dab of yellow mustard on it on the back to see if it's real silver, mebbe a touch of egg-yolk. should turn black from the sulphur.