Thought you guys might be interested in seeing a few blades carried by the Scottish highlanders, circa late 1700's. My interpretations only surely not historically correct. A Sgian Dubh (~6") and a Dirk (~15").

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Patriots Forever!!

Those are very cool blades. Thanks for sharing

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Some Might Say.

As one who carries a sghian dubh on a regular basis, I must say, good on ya, lad! Those look amazing, and I'd be proud to carry either or both.

Nice knives. Myself, I prefer to reach out and touch if I have to, not get up close and personal. Getting to old for that. Yes, I know a knife never fails.........

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

They will KEEEL!

Paul and his blades got us addicted to Forged in Fire—the best show on TV.

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Possum—The other white meat!

Tod's Workshop in England makes a lot of traditional knives and I think a Scottish dagger. Yours are beautiful.

I found it interesting that knives were used for a lot of purposes other than weapons in 18th century Europe, cutting ropes, peeling vegetables, and surprisingly, for eating. The fork wasn't introduced until around the Revolutionary War era, up until then, it was knives and spoons.

Eh, historical checks indicate that forks go back to
ancient times but the northern Europeans were slow
to pick up their use. By the Middle Ages, they were pretty
common in much of Europe. Perhaps it's an indication how
backward the insular Scots were?

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Ubi Est Mea

That is a knock down gorgeous knife. I have a cheap imitation, same size I picked up in Scotland in 1961 when I was stationed in England. I always wanted a "real" one. I use my cheap imitation every day to open my mail.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

As always, your work is amazing. Thanks for sharing with us.

Two-pronged carving forks go way back, but eating forks are seen in the Renaissance, and then by wealthy people. Common people's use of the fork met a lot of resistance in the English speaking world where they were considered effeminate. Possibly because they were "foreign." And the eating fork, with several tines for scooping up food evolved from the two-tined fork, which was good for stabbing, not so practical for the way forks are used today.

They weren't widely accepted in England until well into the 18th century, and not in America until after the Revolution, says
Jas Townsend who is acknowledged as an expert on 18th century culinary information. He has a very informative website where he prepares food using era recipes and era correct cookery. He's the source of some of my post above. Plus, if you look up The History of the Fork on the web, it seems to confirm this. Says as late as 1897 British sailors wouldn't use forks because the didn't think it was manly. Townsend is popular with BP guys who go to him for rendezvous authenticity.

Another great post. Thanks for the show and tell.

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Hue 68 noli me tangere

Those are two good looking pieces of work. Bet you spend more than coffee break time making them.

Really like the blade treatment on the Sgian Dubh, that looks great.

Beautiful knives!

Always enjoy your posts and photos of your finished work, Opaul. Would be fun sometime to see photos of the work in progress. I think perhaps you mentioned in a post some time ago that you use the stock removal process?

Thank you! The little Sgian Dubh is forged from a damascus billet and finished on my grinder. The Dirk is 52100 stock removal.
I'm incorporating more forging in my work. Hope to attend a week end forging school some time in April.

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Patriots Forever!!