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 local Scottish Walnut. This piece came from a local Highland Estate just North/East of Inverness. Walnut is a classic wood in woodcraft, mid to dark brown with a golden iridescence. For my new range of Hardwood/Antler Sgian Dubhs/Brews i wanted to make one with a handle that was made from entirely Scottish materials. For this piece it was important to me that the main handle scales where made from a darker hardwood that would contrast with the antler so Walnut was a clear choice.
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.
For a professional finish i have used some local Scottish Hawthorn as a centre to lock the knife tang and outer scales together. I harvested this wood from a wind blown tree on the banks of Loch Ness. This lovely wood is a beautiful creamy brown with light brown streaks. It is the closest thing to a Scottish Ebony as the wood is extremely hard and works very similar to Ebony woods. Hawthorn, often just called “Thorn” is steeped in Folklore and Mythology and had so many uses. The leaves and flowers were eaten, the wood because of its high burning temperature was used to smelt pig iron and the tree itself was believed to be the home of fairies! It is one of my favourite Scottish Hardwoods and goes perfectly with the Walnut and Antler.
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 27mm and a maximum Depth of just under 13mm
Blade Length 80mm x Width 24mm
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.