Scottish Red Deer Antler and Burr Wych Elm Sgian Brew, Scottish gift, bottle opener

Scottish gift, Sgian Brew, bottle opener, wedding gift, groom gift

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 Sgian Brew is part of my well established range of Natural Antler Sgian Brews. 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 these 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. My wood Sgian Brews tend to be very exacting in their shape where as antler, due to its flowing curves can offer a more natural handle which is exactly what has been achieved in this piece. I have sanded any harsh edges to make the Sgian Brew ergonomic to hold and comfortable being worn but have left as much character as possible. Colour-wise, Antler tends to be predominately creamy white, sometimes with tones of pinkish brown and even some green.
I have capped this antler handle with some Scottish Burr Wych Elm. I harvested this particular burr from a tree in Balmacara, West Coast of Scotland beside the Isle of Skye and have been waiting for it to dry for a few years now. Always one of my most popular woods, rich mid to dark browns with a golden iridescence and an intricate burr grain pattern. I sculpt the wood until in joins perfectly and seamlessly with the antler and again smooth off any sharp edges.
For a professional finish i have used some local Scottish Wych Elm as a centre to lock the brew tang and the outer scales together. This particular piece came from a tree that grew near Forres, East Coast of Scotland. Wych Elm is the highland cousin of European Elm, ranging from light to mid and dark browns, often with streaks of green and a golden iridescence.
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 centre, 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 metal is Stainless Steel and measures under 3.5″ to comply with UK knife laws. It comes complete with an attractive embossed black leather sheath and a black presentation box.
The Sgian Brew measures:
Overall Length 170mm x Width 27mm x Depth 21mm
Blade Length 80mm x Width 25mm
As with all my pieces i have applied my company logo “UBC” with pyrography, in this case on the bottom rear of the handle.