My Scottish Historical Knife Collection + Sgian Dubh Survival Knife Prototype

[@williamhale8162]

Love your show. Living history through bushcraft is awesome.

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks buddy!

[@ratpython93]

It's really great having a channel that talks about the history and soul of knife carrying for bushcraft... Living in England where knife crime and knife laws keep escalating and with it fear, its great that someone could be teaching younger people about their real uses and the responsibility of holding it. As my grandfather did for me. Love the content mate. Cheers

[@Lancetronium]

I really like the aesthetic look of the knife with the curved deer bone handle and the usefulness of the second largest one that's used for general bushcrafting.

[@ossian1937]

I’ll definitely be buying one of those sgìan dubhs when they become available. Better get busy Tom, because I think you’re gonnae be snowed under with orders for these from both regular wearers of Highland garb , and bush-craft folk alike.😉

[@joeygutierrez5311]

are they available?

[@almostRyanMacleod]

I live about 10 mins away from Culloden battlefield. I heard a while back they were going to turn it into houses, I really hope not.

[@villyvassel6295]

The SNP have no shame l heard they are putting up a wind farm near hermitage castle

[@thepict1010]

That has been blocked BY THE SNP ! It was labour controlled council cashing in !

[@Sabhail_ar_Alba]

@@thepict1010 Not blocked, the SNP are pushing it.

[@thepict1010]

@@Sabhail_ar_Alba no they are not .

[@mommapanda1285]

This didn't happen, did it??

[@garretisla5282]

From America, and I was wondering if you thought to put a magnet in your sheath for securing the blade? I know it isn't historically accurate, not by any means, but a small rare earth magnet or neodymium magnet would work wonders for securing it, and you could hide it withing the wood itself, or even have it be integrated as part of the design of the scroll work or something! Just a thought, but I thought I would share it with you. Keep up the good work, and Hope to see more in the future!

[@danmartens2668]

Oh yeah that's what you should call them I want to buy a sgian Dozi !!!!!!

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

The term sgian dubh might also refer to a knife made of iron the "black metal". In a country where few could afford a fancy knife or originating prior to the tenth century, knives made of iron rather than steel would have been common and way more affordable. Leaving the metal black from the forge would be an inexpensive way to prohibit rust. Black patina could also come on an iron blade from the acids in food or purposely from applying vinegar etc.

[@thrownswordpommel7393]

The fact that it's made of black metal makes it even cooler.

[@FandabiDozi]

Hmmm.. interesting. Although if other knives would have been made from the cheaper metal then why name the Sgian dubh specifically? Interesting information though. Thanks for sharing!

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

@@FandabiDozi Iron gets a black patina when used to cut meat and fruit. (Check out the older butcher knive at a second hand sale ) So a knife used as a personal food knife as well as utility would aquire that patina fairly quickly and would be almost pointless to try to polish. Steel knives would turn black slower and steel would have been reserved for fewer applications prior to the nineteenth century. Most steel would have been far more expensive than iron and reserved for weapons which are generally kept more polished or expensive utility knives. That would account for the reason only the common knife would get the name rather than the less common dirks and daggers. Bog wood handles might also be a source, as well as the iron age use of small daggers for ceremonial purposes having carried forward in name but not in purpose after christianity came into dominance. I am only suggesting a possibility based on experience and knowledge of edged tools not to eliminate other possibilities. ie food for thought and research not argument yet.

[@velazquezarmouries]

Well I make knives of low carbon steel with a black vegetable oil patina for practice and they are quite damn nice knives when made correctly

[@jamesmiddleton6464]

@@velazquezarmouries i an sure they are nice but it still takes extra steps to turn iron to steel even low carbon steel. Most tools would have been iron until quite late with some possible admixture of accidental steel made in the processing. Until the 17th or 18th century much of the steel would have started on the continent and would have been pretty expensive.

[@flyboymike111357]

I carry a mora edris every day in my left boot. Even when I can wear a belt knife. Yes, it's nice to have a blade that's out of sight and mind, but it's more convenient for when I'm bent down and dealing with boxes. Getting a folding knife out, or opening my jacket or overshirt to get my belt knife is slow and awkward. Lifting a pant leg is fast and easy. I imagine wearing a kilt or overboots would make a boot knife much more convenient.

[@ReasonAboveEverything]

Mora eldris seems to be a copy of a finnish pocket fixed blade knife called "napero" (meaning child little older than baby). I had an lager and felt like sharing.

[@Gstrowes]

I've seen examples of serk (long shirt worn with the plaid) that have pockets in the armpit for the Sgian Achlais.

[@FandabiDozi]

Oh really? Interesting! Do you have any references to pictures? Thanks for sharing

[@Gstrowes]

@@FandabiDozi Not handy, Sorry. I'm in Saudi Arabia at the moment, and my books are in the UK. I saw an example in a museum too, Can't think where, maybe Edinburgh... I've also seen scabbards with hooks/clips for hooking onto the waistcoat arm hole. On the subject of the survival Sgian Dhu, Have you considered a combi leather/wood design? similar to some Scandinavian Pukkos?

[@theevol29]

The intro felt very... todd cutler of todds workshop. If you know what I mean. And I love it.

[@chuckbowen5024]

I have always been a knife guy. I am a knife and hawk thrower and make most of my own equipment. I have been going to make sgain dubhs for my family members. I have a large circular saw blade that went through a fire. It's big enough for many blades. I love your utilitarian style.

[@Hi-ru4qm]

I love the wooden friction clip style sheath!

[@kameron.w4089]

I love that Sgìan dubh! I think I’ll buy one.. Im mostly Scottish, a kiwi from New Zealand love learning about our history. 😀👍🔪

[@IPostSwords]

Tod is a fantastic person and an excellent cutler. A fantastic choice for a historically accurate recreation. I plan to use his services to reproduce an antique bollock dagger in my collection, one of the predecessors of the classic scottish dirk

[@nathanwestwick815]

I think bushcraft gives a great respect for nature and history gives a respect for what came before. Great video as always!

[@FandabiDozi]

Thats exactly why I like it man.

[@franotoole2702]

Some great insite. In ireland we would pronounce scion dubh as scion dove. Dubh is the same spelling and meaning. Wonder is the difference because of the scots gaelic vs irish gaelic? Also if you want to get some more hitorical info, look for some of the old blacsmiths or farriers or other older craftspeople in your area. They usualy have a ton of info on certain tools and weapons etc thas been past down from generation, rarely in written form. Sometimes its best to talk to the elders and learn their perspective!

[@FandabiDozi]

Interesting! Yeah lots of similarities in culture and language! Always a learning journey. I'll keep researching and see what more I can learn. Thanks

[@greatscotmagic]

The original Scots came over from Ireland and settled in a Kingdom called dial radio. Eventually they spread out and intermarried with the picks and that is where we get the Scots. Up until the 18th century the Scots or actually the highlanders were called Erse because they were considered this same is the Irish. There is a great KZbin video on the difference between Scottish Gallic and Irish. Unfortunately comment can't remember the name of it but if you do a search on KZbin for of that subject I'm sure it will come up.

[@greatscotmagic]

That should Dalraida. My dictation software messed up and it came out as dial radio.

[@jedironin380]

@@greatscotmagic Blame it on the smell chucker. ;)

[@97VF750]

@@greatscotmagic I am glad you told us. I just thought you were nuts !! Ha Ha.

[@theguywitheyebrows]

the prototype is going to BADASS bro, i love the look of it ESPECIALLY with the friction clips!! great video, great knives, love the history you always provide! thanks for the vid mate!

[@jamesevans938]

for any one wondering (even through most people who follow this channel are probably the outdoorsy type and therefore will most likely know the knife laws in the uk) but in case anyone doesn't know even through a Sgian Dubh is a fixed blade knife you can still carry it if you have a good reason to do so just like any folding knife with a blade longer than 3 inches and any fixed blade knife as long as the knife is not on the completely banned list and in the case of the Sgian Dubh the UK government does classify that wearing a highlandwear outfit is a perfectly good reason to carry a Sgian Dubh

[@briankane6547]

HAD to chuckle @ your mention of hospitality. Lady came into our shop, yrs ago. "Ah suppose ye'll no have a Scottish Quaich?" "Certainly Madam, what size would you like?" 15-20miles South o'the Border. 😉

[@Shadow_Hawk_Streaming]

finally managed to get a kilt in my family tartan that didn't break the bank, looking at getting a blacksmith friend to make me a Sgian Dubh, although we're trying to utilise a more conventional drop-point blade instead of the common spear point since it's more heavy duty and less dagger looking, but with a more traditional handle

[@urbansyth1935]

Excuse me I would like to say how much I love your videos. My father's side of my ancestry all came from both the Isle of Skye and the Isle of Lewis and I find your videos extremely interesting as it resembles what life would have been like for my ancestors. Thank you.

[@Fuxjaga]

Really nice collection. I love handmade knives with traditional /historical background. That’s what I’m doing when making knives myself. Still thinking about my own sgian project. Out of your knives displayed I love the hunting style knives esp. the deer antler handled by Avalon.

[@vyr01]

glad to see you branching out and making your own model of knife

[@larryreese6146]

No favorite knife. They all look like they could do the job they were designed for. Enjoyed the video.

[@ianrankin1293]

As you say it is not easy to find these kind of knives that are actually useable! So thanks for providing these links. Enjoyed the video👍

[@appalachianexploration5714]

Fantastic collection my kin, my father for awhile made Stian dubhs and dirks. At one point he hand carved layers of bone and cherry wood for the handle of a dirk.

[@williamthegriffin6185]

Silver lining to this dang virus. Being able to sit and watch you videos. Learning so much about my Scottish roots. Think I will be treating myself to one if your sgain dubhs come Christmas! Or, hopefully sooner!! Thank you

[@NZComfort]

I can not tell you how much I wish your survival knife was available here in the States! I hope you are well, sir. Thank you for the video.

[@nickjanczak9665]

Love the basic Sgian Dubhs made by Matty, that is a great tool!

[@andrewlawrence5255]

Being an Australian brought up in pipe bands, my info may be wrong, but I was always told the reason the sgian dubh was in your sock was that when visiting someone you "trusted" you took your, hidden and illegal, knife out from under arm and put it in your sock.

[@joejones9520]

for big knives I use the wide Accusharp that is for for tools and machetes and then to finish it I use the regular blue and white accusharp. Stones are nothing but a pain, especially for long knives, maybe good to get the edge angle set but dragging the accusharp is so quick and easy and the edge is predictable and always sharp. Easily portable and light too.

[@rodneymiddleton1044]

Nice collection there Tom, good to see your venturing into your new knife I hope you do well :-)

[@MrTacklebury]

Love the new Sgian Dubh and the Dirk by Matt. Great combo.

[@TheWildboar09]

Your deer bone handle knife is called a Gilly blade. It was used by the Huntsman and was used as a hunting knife, quite commonly whether bone would or antler there’s a book from the royal armouries of Blades of Scotland, and may be hard to find now but I have a copy of it and there’s some very interesting blades and how the styles changed during different periods in history it’s worth finding if you want to knife of a specific style from the earliest to the very ornate modern. Times.

[@swagmanandy]

Re the sheaf retention of the 'Survival bushcraft version.' you can use one or two small powerful neodium rare earth magnets on the inside of the wooden sheaf to retain the knife, this method is totally hidden and works very well.

[@hannahmargaret7281]

Nice to know someone is living my dream

[@seanbrando_7456]

I just found you.....this is awesome. I love all the viking channels and also the north american 1700/1800's long hunter stuff....but I always wanted to know the highland ways. It makes since that the Scottish/Irish settlers in america had to bring skills from somewhere. Really cool, glad I found this.

[@paulsmithprimitivebushcraft]

Fantastic video as always buddy, I've been looking for a sgian dubh for a while now so the fandabi-dubhzie has come along at the perfect time 😉

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks bud! haha! Fabdabi-dubhzie! Thats a perfect name for it!

[@BASHADweller]

After watching your Scottish Dirk video I was so impressed that I went and bought one from Matt. Like you, I made my own leather sheath and used it a few times on bushcrafting tasks prior to lockdown, which it managed no bother. So far, so good and I'm looking forward to putting it through its paces in the coming months and I hope it continues to perform. I'm intrigued by your sgian dubh, I might take the plunge for one of those when they're available. Thanks for sharing. Atb Shaun

[@kendallt.rogersii2874]

Great stuff Tom! As soon as your Sgian Dubh is up I'm buying it! Looking forward to your next video man. Keep it up!

[@shawnscribner7696]

That first Sgian Achlais is awesome! The end of the bone looks like it makes for a very nice pommel.

[@michalurbanful]

Great and informative video, as alwasy! This is a great series! :-) PS_ (Hope) I'd never understand how could a country go into the mad knive laws as Britain had. We in the Czech Republic can carry virtually anything anywhere. Open/concealed carry, fixed/folding knives, long/sort blades, nobody's asking for our reason (only maybe some embarassed friends when one goes too big LOL) ... Carrying a sword to a police station or to a bank would be a problem (I guess) but nobody here is doing this.

[@Wildwestwrangler]

That's cause they know if they carried a big blade there, they'd get shot!!!

[@paarth870]

Your smile is adorable 😍. Nice knives!

[@knate44]

I mean, it is hard not to choose that gorgeous Todd's workshop dirk, but I really hope the project for a historical bushcraft knife goes well. I'd love to order one whenever they are ready!

[@M.M.83-U]

The bone handle one is very nice. That's two full sets, plus one medium knife; not bad at all.

[@Aconitum_napellus]

Great collection! I like that Sgian Achlais with the bone handle.

[@achilliaroberso9366]

Really awesome video and informative historical content, I thrive on historical content , everything that it has , thankyou for sharing your time. 👍

[@TheWildboar09]

The Carrie on the sock care knife came from a couple of incidences historically, as far as I’ve been told was the sock had to come about because that knife can be carried anywhere is on your body from your pocket back your belt in your bonnet, or was worn like you described honest holster carry and two highlanders got in a row during the military. Where they were starting to be able to wear their highland garb and use their highland tools and an officer stepped into two Highlanders fighting, and when he stepped back, he had a sock knife in the chest so after that they made a law or agreement that no one can hide a knife that it has to be publicly seen that you were armed with that said, there was some known stories of a Highlander carrying three or four or more of these hidden blades on them in case of incidence you could find the story if you look it up

[@anthonyburns2614]

Keep up the good work! I am told my family is Scott-Irish from Robert Burns. I hope so. I just sent in a DNA sample. As a Texan, I have always had pride in my Scottish roots.

[@SoldierDrew]

What was your DNA test results? You only inherit half of each parent's DNA so not all genealogical ancestry gets passed down via DNA. Just depends which half you inherited from each parent.

[@dstinnettusa]

Greetings from Langhorne Pennsylvania! Looking forward to buying the new knife

[@knightshousegames]

I feel like the Sgian Achlais looks more like an eating knife than the Sgian Dubh, so I sort of doubt that story. The Sgian Dubh looks like a utility/bushcraft knife, which isn't really a great shape for cutting food, but a great shape for bushcraft stuff. The Sgian Achlais looks almost identical to a medieval eating knife, so that seems far more likely to be the knife one would eat with. If I had to have a guess on the sock thing, I feel like that ties more into the "dark deeds" lore, since thats sorta like how a boot knife or even an ankle holster is worn, as a hidden weapon of last resort. If a fight at close range is going poorly, and you need a sneaky "hidden" weapon to turn the fight around, thats a pretty "dark deed"

[@colinmcgrath2392]

I'm lucky enough to have a couple of knives made by Matthew. I can't rate them highly enough. Great looking, and more importantly super tough. They take a little bit of taking care of but they'll outlast me!

[@craigbellofatto5808]

Love your Highland Survival bideos and the historical content. Your prototype Bushcraft Sgian Dubh is a great addition to your brand and I think a matching Dirk to your Sgian Dubh as a set would be popular. Cant wait to see what you deveop in the future :)

[@xandervampire195]

I have the same dirk from the Tod Cutler range. He does great work.

[@slingshotwarrrior8105]

History had some awesome knives!

[@krknfmkr8919]

Nice collection. I've sent some knives to a friend of mine near Glascow

[@michael.bombadil9984]

Very cool! It’s good to see your knife projects organized and clearly presented; it’ll be easier to follow the details of your work in future videos. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🗡

[@FandabiDozi]

Thanks mate. i appreciate the feedback and appreciation for the video layout :)

[@erroleabrown4317]

Wonderful information thank you, good luck with the knife

[@johnscaife2725]

I like the whole collection! The smaller more utility form dirk if I had to pick just one. Thanks 🙏

[@karadordarkraven]

Fantastic video, your passion really comes through.

[@JamesJones-nq6vv]

Loving your historical insights and explanations. Thank you! One suggestion on the sgian dubh you're developing: include a ferrocerium rod in the sheath.

[@robertbeale2606]

I like the shorter dirk, but ill be very interested to see that sgian dubh when you finish your testing on it!!

[@stuartmonteith7079]

I like both of the medium sized knives you received but of the two the second one you showed looks the more usable blade.

[@thomasboyd7943]

Awesome. Great video. Excellent channel.Keep up the brilliant work.

[@Dead_or_Wild]

I gotta say the survival dirk is my personal fav. It's baddass and useful. Good stuff, Mate! Alba gu brath!

[@opalprestonshirley1700]

Favorite knife, I like them all. I'll buy a Sgian Dudh when available. Stay safe.

[@TheWildboar09]

Look up, Anglo, Saxons and Vikings and Scotland. A lot of their blades were influential in the different styles that were used by the Highlanders, your larger. Dirk has a lot of Anglo-Saxon influence as a knife maker in Canada, and a historic reenactor of Norse Celtic dissent by use make a lot of blades of this style.

[@ROE1300]

Interesting video. Thank you for sharing your collection. Best wishes on producing your knife. I ordered a honing rod from Avalon Forge Craft.

[@arc7756]

I don’t know why, but I find it kinda cool that your knife handle smells of whisky. Kinda interesting

[@OldNavajoTricks]

I keep my edc in my rise along with my baccy and bits, I often get asked about the 'Sock knife' and I explain that I can't wear a proper one so I don't bother with it but even if I did it only goes in the boot for social events. Your 'Usable' dirk reminds me of my Seax which, law notwithstanding, would be my everyday wear, back of the belt handle to the left.

[@e.macdonaldoutdoors7825]

Thank you VERY much for making an effort to keep alive the practical culture of the Highlanders! I love knives so this video is just great! Nice collection. There were cultural and practical reasons for why knives, etc.developed the way they did in Highland culture. Please try and avoid adopting aspects of the Highlanders without that historical underpinning. Too many folks adopt a disrespectful form of Highland culture (not you) because it's easier and with the notion that, "Well, they might have had something like this". Hey, LOVE that dirk! All the best.

[@willywantoknow2563]

I find it interesting, I was drawing out my own bushcraft knifes cause everything where I live is too expensive. The shapes and designs ended up being a reflection of my cultural ancestry's tools... And i also love the wooden scabbard....safer, nicer,.... I've seen too many leather scabbards sliced through, one actually got the person good.

[@TheWildboar09]

And remember, one thing historically the Dirk was worn in the front of the Kilt originally look it up and the sporran was worn on the side with all your food

[@alhutcheson418]

Hey Tom I'm excited to purchase a knife 😁. My favourite knife was that first one the sheath is to die for. Much love from over the pond in Canada

[@Pooknottin]

It might have been suggested before, but if it's a tool knife used for most things, perhaps it was called black because it was often sooted from a fire.

[@BP-cu6mi]

Really hope shipping to the U.S. will be available!

[@jimdownhour5224]

d at the medium armpit knives you have and I wanted to show you these... a lot of Kentucky and Tennessee settlers were Scottish.

[@jamesfleming555]

My favorite would be your plain man's dirk. But it would be a close call on your sgian dubh, in just the plain form that you have it now. No brass. I like the subdued color, no flashy stuff. In the armpit carry that would truly be an EDC knife in the woods.

[@Herpetile]

I’m a bit of a collector of blades myself and have to say I’m a fan of the Todd cutler dirk. I’ve been looking at a bollocks dagger for a while from him, maybe eventually. Fav knife in the table is probably that dirk. But I really like the design of your sgian dubh as well. So it could be debatable! They are so different! Keep it up, love the vids and like the idea of your knife project, I’ll que up for one. And I think the bog wood theory on the name makes more sense, personally !

[@dalecarpenter8828]

cool looking knives ! I find heavy handled knives to get lost easily if you don't have a pouch sheath, the knife will turn up side down and fall out of the sheath and be lost ! I like blade heavy knives especially for chopping /axe chores ! I keep an Mtech 151 ( stainless trail master clone ,much like the dirk ,in my field pack ,funny I had been carrying a field back for many years ( 1960s ) only recently found out it is a go bag /get home bag/ bugout bag or any name but field pack ?

[@kendallt.rogersii2874]

Hey Tom! Will you ever do a segment on basket hilted claymore's?

[@konfuzinuss8742]

Nice collection of blades 😊👍🏻 Greets from Germany Frank

[@beardedwoodsmanbushcraft8617]

Nice collection brother! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😎

[@highlanderofthe42nd88]

my favorite is the dirk by far, i am making my own dirk right now

[@greatscotmagic]

There are a ton of videos on KZbin on how to make a leather sheath, how about doing one on making a wooden sheath? Thanks for all the great work

[@carlosjimenezariza3360]

All of them look great. I would appreciate the skin do when definitive. Sorry for my English

[@Chris-nl8lo]

Alreet mate could you do video on how you make your wooden sheath. I can't work out how you get such a good friction fit.

[@reivercaptain510]

That's a beautiful hunting knife. Think I'll make one for my cousin. Looks about his size.

[@inthewoodswithbigfoot3941]

Sweet collection Sir! Thanks for sharing!

[@wanderingbandit279]

those friction clips look very nice.

[@terryfinley7760]

My favorite is the Flett Forge Dirk

[@cesarmonzon825]

Beautyful collection. My favourite?: All!

[@sebastienchateau7559]

Hey @fadabi dozi I believe that "dubh" litterally translates as "black" Indeed but can sometimes refer to as "something that is hidden from sight". I'll have to do some research on this, but yeah.

[@sebastienchateau7559]

In fect if I'm not wrong (I speak no Gaelic whatsoever, being French) "sgian-cheist" means "enigma" so, hidden meaning.

[@blister4walken]

Hope to get one of those knives when you release them. Looks great.

[@-Zevin-]

Great video, I'm curious about seax knives and their place in Scotland. Were seax ever used in any great numbers? At least they would have been known from Saxon, Scandinavian contact and trade. I know they are generally thought of as Germanic knives and not Celtic, but I'm curious about ancient Scotland as well. Surely the Sgian Dubh and Dirk are much more recent historically.

[@97VF750]

My research shows the Sgian Dubh is mostly a Victorian invention. The Sleeve or Arm knife (sgain Achlais) was the most common in use with the Dirk. See Wallace's book on Scots blades. Same goes for the kilt pin. and invention from Victoria herself. Lindsay of the 'Silver Dirk' . Still I love what you are doing. We all think we have it right, probably none of us do. Keep up the good work.

[@Tipi_Dan]

I have watched "Tod's Workshop". He makes beautiful things. You got a fine dirk--- adorned, but not overly. Those knives are really single purpose blades: mankillers. Still, in bear and puma country where I live, such a knife might be comforting in the backcountry, alone, with no firearm. I had to have an historic dirk. After considerable research, I bought the Hanwei. OK--- they're made in China. But historically correct and with a good reputation. A shipping foul-up delivered two. I wanted to return one, but they just let me keep it. On one, I forced patinas on the blade and brass fittings, and copied the provided leather scabbard in better leather with minor design improvements: super pleased. The other remains in its box for now. Is your bushcrafting dirk Scandi grind? It looks it. A good idea if so. My bushcrafting equipage is Nordic in style and approach (a separate if parallel obsession.) I dig what you're up to.

[@IodoDwarvenRanger]

Awesome video :) and my favorite has to be the shorter dirk

[@David-lu4gq]

Great video lad! Keep those videos coming. Here in Ireland, our equivalent of the Dirk would have been the Scain, pretty much the same as the Dirk, a shame we have so few examples today. Don't know if we had a Scain Dubh equivalent. Your videos are actually giving me a lot of inspiration to start a project in the future. Keep it up lad! 💪