Scottish Dirks by Michael McRae
Historically authentic dirks by the owner of Scotia Metalworks

Article by Adrian Ko. Photographs coutesy of Michael McRae.

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Michael McRae describes the role of the Scottish dirk in Highland history. "Hundreds of wild-eyed Highlanders hid in the hills, waiting for the first volley of enemy arrows to be launched - and for the cry of "Claymore" to be sounded before throwing themselves screaming into the fray. Down the hill they ran, demons with flying hair and beards and madness in the screaming voices. Once they closed with the front ranks, slaughter began. The claymore may have been the big initial weapon, but it was the dirk that did the up close and personal work when there was no room to swing a big two-handed sword. The "Highland Charge" was a thing of all-out madness. (It was anything but organized and disciplined. We are, after all talking about the Scottish Highlanders who fought for family, clan, booty, and King - in that order.) With tactics like this, the Scots took on and beat the mightiest army in Europe in the late 1200’ and early 1300s. Using the dirk and claymore, they continued to fight like this for 400 years with devastating effect."

Dirks by Michael McRae

Photo: Above - We begin with this exquisite art knife which won Second Place at the 1999 Southeastern Custom Knife Show (Art Knife Category). The 14¼" blade is forged from 5160 and differentially heat treated, file worked, and finished to a 600 grit finish. The outlines and design are historically accrate. Michael's beautiful knotwork is evident in both the ivory as well as the silver bands. The pommel features a nickel-silver ferrule. A similar piece would cost $2,250.

Photo: Below - A different view of the same dirk.

Origins of the Early Dirk

According to Michael McRae, the early dirk was a knife with a cylindrically shaped grip, mostly unadorned, which flared widely at the pommel. Instead of a guard, there was a swell at the hilt. It was an outgrowth of the Basalard knife and the Ballock dagger of the late Middle Ages. The blade was straight tapered and wedge shaped in cross-section. This made it admirably suited to attacking armor, both mail and plate. The average length of blade was 12-13 inches. "Though," adds McRae, "I’ve seen examples that ranged from 9½ to 17 inches." McRae relates that in its heyday the dirk was employed in battle in conjunction with a round shield, called a targe, and a claymore - the great two-handed sword of the Scots. The arm was run through the two straps on the back of the targe, and the dirk was grasped in an "icepick" hold. The wide-flared pommel was to help absorb the shock of battle and to keep the user from losing his grip on his knife. Swinging both dirk and targe with one hand and the claymore with the other, the Highlander presented a fierce front.

It’s no wonder that the enemy was disheartened!

Photo: Left This paticular dirk which a 13-3/4" random-pattern damascus blade and carved ivory hilt is a classic early style of dirk; the triangular style blade is also of an early style. Dirks from this period were typically not using the strap at the honches as the silver trim shown here, but typically these would be used to protect the wood and keep them from splintering. This specific piece with a leahter sheath was sold for $1,100.

Photo: Left Featured here is a good example of a Jacobite period dirk. Dirks from this period typically had either brass or silver ends on the hilt and scabbard. The filework on the spine is also common to dirks of this period. Not all had false edges on the spine. The carving on the dyed maple handle is simpler compared with Michael's other work seen so far. However, priced at $350, it is quite affordable. The 13-3/4" blade is 5160 steel, differentially heated for a harder edge and softer body.

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