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I have seen more than I have handled over the last 20 years.
When going to shows of historical guns and arms I had the most
chance to handle the dirks (if lucky there were some on display). If you handle them with respect and a handkerchief (to protect the blade )when examining them, the dealers are willing and some even eager to handle you the blade to show off their best merchandise trying to sell.
Second are the musea: when you keep the handling caracteristics of the ones you handled in mind and the knifes are well displayed, you can estimate the balance too, but nothing beats handling them yourself .
I have seen dirks (few) with silver nails but don't remember any with precious stones from before the "Victorian" era. We must remember that they weren't allowed weapons under the English and the dirks often were hidden(which was easier than hiding swords).When the Scots wanted to show off their wealth it was more in their belt buckles and broaches and pins that held their tartan kilts.
Jan
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