Ta Daaaaaaaa..........

O.K. at long last, I can spill my guts. I finished up two knives and they were delivered to the parties so let me tell you about them.

The first went to my blog step-daddy, Jay G. It seems that he has been bit by the Highlander bug and was kitting himself out with kilt and all the other accouterments. While he was reviewing his list o' stuff, he mentioned to my buddy, Ms. Nancy that he was going to get a Sgian Dubh the traditional "black knife" of the highlands. But the fly in the buttermilk was that he was looking at a PLASTIC copy. Friends, a plastic knife is like a Non-alcoholic beer, what's the point? (pun intended) Some time back I had been involved in a a bit of swapping and had picked up a Sgian Dubh that had been tossed in to sweeten the deal I was working on. Now all I had to do is figure out what I had did with it. After a archeological dig in my study/junk room I located it but also discovered that a container of browning solution had leaked on it, corroding the mounts and turning it several different colors. A trip down to my shop corrected those problems and Jay was very pleased with the results.

The second went to Ms. Breda, the world's most dangerous librarian. Again, I heard from Ms. Nancy that Breda was contemplating doing a wee bit of living history/renfair stuff, so knowing that she has a affection for knives I figured that she might like a middle age period style of knife. I had a blade I thought would work well, I turned out a horn grip and put it together with a poured pewter ferrule and a silver buttplate. It is very similar to knives that have been dated to the late 1300's to the early 1400's. I knocked out a leather belt scabbard and it was good to go. Again, I believe Ms. Breda was pleased with the result.

I enjoy turning out knives and this has given me a chance to get a few of my creations to people I respect and admire. Plus it makes more room for other creations that are currently floating around in the "rat nest" I call my brain. (grin)

Oh yeah, one more thing. If you ever get a knife from me, as a "gift" it will also come with a penny. My people are hill people, with deep roots from the north of Ireland, Ulster to be specific. I am not a overly superstitious person, but I figure, why tempt fate? The penny is because you NEVER gift a person with a knife, or it will cut a friendship. That's why I always ask for the penny back, thus you are "buying" the knife. Sounds silly, but it's the way I roll.