Process - Handle Making

The workshop is busy this time of year as we approach another busy wedding season.  The image shows a row of blades matched with their handles to be.  The handles are built up of various layers of the customers choosing, while primarily wood, these materials are not limited and can be wood, metal, horn/bone etc.  We have made handles with WW1 tanks parts and fossilised mammoth tooth before - almost anything can be incorporated into your sgian dubh handle, just ask!

The various handle parts are then bonded together before being milled out to provide a central void for the the blade tang to be inserted into, resin bonded and pinned to create both a chemical and mechanical fixing. The handle block is then worked by hand to create the finished handle shape and surface finish.