Sgian Brew, Sgian Dubh, Kilt knife, Scottish knife, antler gift, Scottish gift, wedding gift, groom gift, mens gift, bottle opener

The Sgian Dubh is a ceremonial dagger that is traditionally worn (tucked into the sock) as part of Scottish Highland dress along with a kilt. The translation in Gaelic is knife or dagger for “Sgian” and black for “Dubh”. Sgian Brews have become a popular alternative, used perhaps in a non-knife friendly event or just as a talking point.
This is part of my new range of Hardwood/Antler Sgian Brews. I have always tried to offer the most original and eye catching Sgian Dubhs/Brews on Etsy so really wanted to push the boat out for this new range. Both my Wood and Antler Dubhs/Brews sell really well so why not combine the two for those of you that can’t decide which one is for them.
I have made the primary outer handle of this Sgian Brew from some stunning African Blackwood. This true Rosewood has a beautiful grain, jet black streaks intertwined with dark iridescent brown. It also has a high natural oil content that makes it very resistant to moisture. African Blackwood is a very traditional wood to be used in the making of Sgian Dubhs/Brews fitting the bill perfectly for a “Black Knife”. The wood is also extremely hard and finishes to a high lustre.
The antler came from a stag that roamed the hills above Lairg, Sutherland. This is an extremely rugged part of Scotland and I’m sure it makes the Stags and their antlers extra tough! Antler is one of those materials that is a joy to work, approximately the working hardness of Oak, it responds well to careful working with both machine and hand tools. I have sanded it smooth to reveal the antlers true creamy white colour that often has flushes of pink and grey. I chose Blackwood to use with the antler for a beautiful and eye-catching contrast.
For a professional finish i have used some local Spalted Holly as a centre to lock the tang and the outer scales together. This particular piece of Holly came from a wind felled tree that grew on the banks of Loch Ness, 12 miles from my home in Inverness. Holly is one of the lightest local Hardwoods and is predominately cream in colour with tones of green and yellow. It is very hard and finishes to a fine lustre.
I have carved the overall handle shape to a traditional Sgian Dubh design and taken it a little further on the recesses for extra comfort. This piece has taken far more time than my other Sgian Brews but the finished result is, in my humble opinion, absolutely stunning!
To finish and protect the handle I could not use polyurethane varnish as this would turn the antler yellow. So in this case i first apply a sealer of Shellac and Cellulose Thinners only to the wood, this brings out the colour. Then i apply two types of industrial wax, the same as used on my antler kilt pins. This gives a hard wearing finish and an attractive sheen not dissimilar to a polyurethane finish.
The blade is Stainless Steel, i have set it in the handle so that it measures just under 3.5″. It comes complete with an attractive embossed black leather sheath and a black presentation box.
The Sgian Brew measures:
Overall Length 169mm x Width 29mm x Depth 13.3mm
Blade Length 80mm x Width 25mm
As with all of my pieces i have applied my company logo “UBC” with pyrography, in this case on the bottom rear of the handle.