Scottish Dirk

[Blkhrt13]

Do want!

 

[Slamfire]

What kind of black wood did they use, or is that paint or a die? Never heard of a Scottish ebony tree.

The price on genuine regimental dirks is so cost prohibitive, I have never purchased one. Just looked at Ebay, there are some for just a little less than $18,000, a few at $6,000, some more between $2,000 and $6,000. The bottom end is around $800.

 

[hso]

No, they weren't died or painted. Ebony has been in trade since the 1600s because of the fine dense grain allowing for detailed carving. Before the Scottish dirk became an ornament the grips were carved out or whatever was at hand, but ivy or boxwood root may be historic.

There are plenty of Scottish style dirks out there, not just regimental. If you want to pay for the provenance and history, those pieces will bring a pretty penny.

 

[dvcrsn]

I guess that I was about 11 when we took a vacation to the Lake District and then into Scotland. Dad was stationed in England for 4 years. I used my allowance to buy a small Scottish dirk, probably about 5". It was in one of the antique/junk shops that my Mom used to enjoy. I doubt that I paid more than £1 10s. No clue as to how old it was, guessing at least 30-40 years or more. That was over 50 years ago. I wish that I knew what became of it.

with a 5 inch blade--skean dubh would probably be more accurate since that size is easier to carry discreetly

 

[Steel Hayes]

If you want to pay for the provenance and history, those pieces will bring a pretty penny.

That’s the truth.

 

[mdauben]

A really beautiful dirk. I've eyed various commercial reproductions for the last couple years, thinking of buying one. There's no comparison with the real thing, though!

 

[JN01]

Glen McClain makes some fine dirks.

 

[CapnMac]

Usually you don't "choose" a tartan, it is "yours".

Well for those not so enriched as to have an ancestry to put claim to there are the various "non familial" plaids--Flower of Scotland National national ones like Canada's even Service oriented ones.

Over the years I've managed to build up a decent inventory of kilts and in three plaids beyond familial.

 

[Sistema1927]

Believe it or not, there are actually state specific tartans.

Here is New Mexico's:

 

[Speedo66]

Is the yellow part supposed to be the intersection of I-40 & 25? lol

In my old home state of NY, the official plaid might look more like prison stripes for all the crooked politicians who've been put away.

Still plenty to go though.

 

[Sistema1927]

Is the yellow part supposed to be the intersection of I-40 & 25? lol

In my old home state of NY, the official plaid might look more like prison stripes for all the crooked politicians who've been put away.

I think that they were trying for a Zia symbol, as seen on our state flag:

 

[kamagong]

What kind of black wood did they use, or is that paint or a die? Never heard of a Scottish ebony tree.

"Black" wood is very likely bog oak.

 

[papaairbear]

A really beautiful dirk. I've eyed various commercial reproductions for the last couple years, thinking of buying one. There's no comparison with the real thing, though!

Check out Vince Evans work. His wife used to do the wood carving and he did the metal work. He's a maker with a very solid reputation.
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/listing/user/vevans

 

[CapnMac]

I think that they were trying for a Zia symbol

I can see that.
Although, now I want to go look and see if someone registered a sett with four red on yellow already.