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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Hello,
this is my first post in this section. Have get this small dirk via ebay and would like to know more about it. Is it original or a copy? How is it used (formal dress)? How old could it be? Thank you in advance, Detlef |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,209
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Detlef.
I like these knives a lot. I bought my first one 30 years ago in Scotland. Looks similar to yours. Personally I would say it isn't a copy. Still used when wearing a kilt. These knives are still made today and i suppose the quality will differ. Sometimes you can buy an older example. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Hello Henk,
thank you and a Happy New Year! I have done in the meantime some google research and think as well that it is original. It coming from the States so it will have some age. Regards, Detlef |
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#4 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Hi Detlef,
Welcome to the Europan section ![]() I assume that by now you have already spotted this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgian-dubh I know nothing abouth these knives but, wouldn't this be an industrial made piece and not a handcraft example ? My suggestion is based on the fact that it has that CJ SCOTLAND stamp, as if it were made for export ![]() |
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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thank you for both, the link and your very good hint. Like you I know nothing about this knifes. Anyway, the price I have paid wasn't to high. Regards, Detlef |
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#6 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,100
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This is most definitely a mass produced knife. As Henk has pointed out, these are still produced in all different levels of quality since they are a traditional part of Scottish garb. This one looks to be a somewhat nicer one than many available on the market today. Since they are not really made to be used, but just as a part of the traditional dress, you don't see them as particularly high caliber forgings very often. Is the gemstone glass or actual topaz or citrine?
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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#8 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,200
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This is a mass produced piece with a chromed blade and a plastic scabbard and hilt. The "stone" is glass. Made for the market. Could have been made last year. The mounts are molded plastic (or possibly copper) coated with some kind of silver looking stuff (not real silver).
The old ones, even from the 1930's, have leather covered wood scabbards with brass or silver mounts (sometimes with silver marks on the back). The old hilts could be made of silver, ebony, or horn, and hand carved or hand chased. Sorry for the bad news. I have many of these sold over the years and have owned some older true sgian dubhs (one of which I which I had kept!). And yes these are used today for wearing in the top of the stocking in formal traditional Scottish mens dress with a kilt (nothing underneath the kilt! ![]() |
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#9 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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you don't need to say sorry. I am a friend of open words, the given amount wasn't high and it will have been another learning lesson we all familiar with. It will be a nice gift for my young son. ![]() Regards, Detlef |
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#10 |
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,592
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Hi Detlef,
I'm afraid it's as Jose said, a low cost item generally purchased as an accessory to Highland dress worn at weddings etc., they are even made these days without blades or with wooden blades for dress purposes. Better ones are still made with silver fittings, bog oak or rare wood hilts and semi-precious stones and quality steel blades which are very much useable, see www.castlekeep.co.uk and www.knifemaker.co.uk for examples of modern hand made types. Sgian dhu to look out for would be 19thC and early 20thC military knives which are assignable to a specific regiments, these can be quite expensive and are highly collectable. The origin of these knives is somewhat debatable. Sgian means knife and dhu means black i.e. 'black knife' not black in colour but black as in hidden. The knife was hidden out of sight on ones person but upon entering anothers house, to show no ill will or intent, the knife would be removed from concealment and placed in the top of the sock thereby showing that the visitor carried no concealed weapon and thereby wished no harm upon his host. Women also carried knives concealed in their skirts or hidden in their clothes under the armpit, these were known as sgian aichles or armpit knives. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() My Regards, Norman. |
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#11 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Hi Norman,
Thank you very much for this very intersting explanation. I have done in the meanwhile some research and see now the differents between the one I have bought and the real collectable ones and have seen how expensive they can be. ![]() ![]() Like I have written before, this one will be a gift for my son since he is very interested to my collection. ![]() And now I know who I can ask before I give a a big amount of money when I will buy a good one, thank you for your kind offer. Best regards, Detlef |
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#12 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
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Well guys,
This thread has gone as far as it could. Besides a red flag for the linking to commercial sources, we should also realize that this knife, being a mass produced 'modern' object, is not embraced by the scope of this forum section. I guess we should now end this discussion and depart to another one. Thank you all for the interesting input. |
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