Author Archives: Rainnea

We had the honour to be asked to make an exceptionally unique Sgian Dubh for Jim Nethery, Seanchaidh of the Clan Graham in the USA. Jim supplied the wood for the project from a piece of French oak recovered from the wreck of The HMS Invincible, a 74 gun warship captured from the French in 1744 and then put into service within the British Royal Navy until she ran aground and sank in the Solent in 1758. John Broomhead, the first diver to see the Invincable after 221 years on the sandy floor of the Solent in 1979, kindly provided the historic wood from his collection.
From the Invincible oak we carved the handle and sheath with a smooth, polished finish and treated with gunstock oil and wax.
We used solid Gold to make the clan crest and cross inlays, ferrules and pins.
The pommel stone is Loch Lomond Red Jasper which was cut and polished by Nat Forno of Scottish Gemstones.
The blade is Swedish Damasteel, crafted by bladesmith Chris Grant.
The presentation box was made by Karl Peet of Bespoke Craft, also from the Invincible oak and into which we made and inlaid the solid gold Clan Graham crest.
This was a wonderful project to undertake but also quite complex and time consuming and we’d like to thank Chris, Nat and Karl for their contributions and Jim for his patience and for his comments;
“The Invincable Sgian Dubh represents me personally in both the materials and the design. The Loch Lomond Jasper and the belted crest reflect my Scottish heritage. The wood from the Invincable reflects my English and French Huguenot ancestry. The inlayed crest and three escallops show my clan Graham allegiance and the cross my Templar Order. Finally the uniquely beautiful Damasteel blade represents my Norse heritage. Overall my Sgian Dubh’s simple clean lines and unique materials make it completely a bespoke work of art. Something I will always treasure and wear with unmitigated pride.
With My Gratitude and Thanks,
W. James Nethery, FSA Scot
Seanchaidh, Clan Graham in North America”

Continue reading →