Dress Sgian Don't

[Chef]

OK, has anyone come across a good fake dress sgian dubh. I do many formal events in places where it is considered a no-no but I have yet to find a decent looking fake. I have seen the sgian brews and I think they would be great for casual wear but I don't feel they are dressy enough for wearing with a PC or doublet. Also the idea of taking a bottle opener to a black tie event seems a bit tacky (IMHO).

What I would really like to find is one in black, elegantly carved with nice silver embellishments and/or semiprecious stones.

Anyone come across something like this?

[James MacMillan]

This might be what you are looking for:

http://store.kelticnation.com/gensym-1.html

[cavscout]

The Scottish Tartans Museum had some for a while, but when checking their page, I find they have started carrying several new sgains!!!

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/blackknife.html

Hmmmm,

[James MacMillan]

I just found a whole heck of a lot of them - Google "Safety Dubh"

You should find someting that you like!

[Chef]

I'm still looking through the google search on safety sgian dubh, but most of these are the right style but the wrong quality. They are almost all moulded plastic with shiny bits. Some are a little better than I have seen, but none are a quality piece.

[Panache]

There is always the thought of a DIY project.

A bit of nice wood or horn, a small brooch, and a small comb instead of a blade or bottle opener. It only takes a drill, some two part epoxy, and a few basic woodworking tools.

Could be a fun project (and save the elbow grease, fairly inexpensive)

Cheers

Jamie

[James MacMillan]

You just might not find good quality in something that is, after all, a Fake. Why would anybody want a good quality (expensive?) item that has no function, anyway?

In your case, I think Jaime has the right idea! That didn't come out right. It sounds like I don't agree with Jaime....but I do.

[Chef]

Unfortunately I have neither the skills nor the time to create something on the level I am looking for. Aside from the carving skills I would also need silversmith skills to create it. It is likely I will end up commissioning one, but I am surprised that no one has done this already.

As for function I really don't need any. A comb is interesting but I don't think it would last as long as I hope the sgian dubh will. Preferably it would be carved from a single piece of wood. It would be meant for look rather than function.

[Chef]

You just might not find good quality in something that is, after all, a Fake. Why would anybody want a good quality (expensive?) item that has no function, anyway?

10 years ago I would have agreed with you. However, in this day where even a sgian dubh is unwelcome I think there might be a market for it. To counter your question, if my only choice is a "fake", why would I want to wear a piece of plastic with a $2000 outfit. Right now I leave the sgian dubh at home if I think it will be unwelcome, but I would gladly wear a quality "fake" if one was available for those occasions.

As for the function many sgain dubhs have useless blades anyway and how often does someone actually use a dress one. So why not a quality fake one?

Why would anybody want a good quality (expensive?) item that has no function, anyway?

I think many of the accessories worn with a formal kilt outfit already fall under that heading, but we still wear them.

[James MacMillan]

Well, that makes sense! But when you talked about a $2K outfit, I realized that we were and are in different strata entirely!

I don't hang out in areas where the sgian dubh isn't welcome, nor do I own a $2K outfit.

I only have three sgian dubh's at present but all are functional, with quality blades. I wouldn't carry a tool that I couldn't use.

I'm not trying to flame here - I just realize that we are in different worlds. The phrase "quality fake" seems like an oxymoron to me.

Good luck in your search.