Keeping your Dubh up

**Tiny** · 21st January 10, 05:52 PM

I just recieved a very atractive looking Sgain Dubh with a woven steel handle. Looks exactly like the one featured on sportkilt's website.

http://www.sportkilt.com/product/190...Steel.html#tab

One thing I've noticed besides its beauty is that it seems a little heavy to stay up with my weak velcro garters. Is there a trick to this or do I need nicer/stronger garters?

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 21st January 10, 06:12 PM

Place the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the hilt under the garter and it should stay in place, except when bungee jumping.

**Semiomniscient** · 21st January 10, 06:17 PM

I leave usually about an 1 1/2 inches of the hilt showing. I don't usually have a problem, but my garter flashes are usually tight enough. I've had a sgian fall into my sock whilst dancing and work its way into my shoe... So even though I'm a traditionalist for the most part, I don't usually wear one if I'll be dancing.

**Tiny** · 21st January 10, 06:31 PM

Guess its something I'll have to get used to a bit more. just feels like its shaking alot as I walk. I may add an ankle holster or something to go under the hose and hold it better. how much does and average sgian dubh weigh? mine feels fairly substantial in the hand.

**Semiomniscient** · 22nd January 10, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Tiny

Guess its something I'll have to get used to a bit more. just feels like its shaking alot as I walk. I may add an ankle holster or something to go under the hose and hold it better. how much does and average sgian dubh weigh? mine feels fairly substantial in the hand.

I've never weighed mine. It shouldn't be shaking around at all. You should forget it's there after a few minutes. A few things might be the problem:
Again, garter flashes need to be tighter.
Your kilt hose may be too loose on the leg. I have substantial calves and large feet (size 12 american) so I've never had much trouble with loose hose.

I push my sgian into the hose to where only a little bit is left showing (an inch and half at most!) Too many people wear it with the whole hilt hanging out. It's a good way to lose the knife. If too much hilt is showing, it will definitely make it feel unstable. You might feel like you aren't showing enough of the beautiful hilt this way, but the knife is supposed to be utilitarian and would have been hidden in a jacket pocket as a concealed weapon. The placing into the sock began as a courtesy and has become tradition.

**cavscout** · 22nd January 10, 08:34 AM

Check out this thread (specifically post 27) The original topic is one you will probably be interested in also but the solution for both is the same.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/d...t=tobus+sheath

**skauwt** · 22nd January 10, 10:59 AM

i bought one just like that last year it looked great but i wasn't impressed with it at all due to its weight i found it more knife like than sgian dubh and the laws here in scotland wouldn't allow me to sell it
so Ive never wore it its sat in its stand on a shelf since i got it Ive used it as a letter opener mind you

but you'd be best adjusting the flashes to stop it moving about any idea of its weight?
p.s is it the sgian blade section that moves about or the whole thing itself?

**Tobus** · 22nd January 10, 11:16 AM

Duct-tape the sheath to yer leg. That'll fix it.

Seriously, I think the combination of carrying it lower (so the center of gravity is well below the garter that holds it in place) and tightening the garter a little will fix it. And if not, you could always fabricate an inner garter strap for the sgian dubh. Something as simple as a wide band of elastic stitched to itself to form a loop. Place it around your leg so it fits pretty snug and holds the bottom (sheath) part of the sgian dubh, while the hose garter holds the upper portion. No one will ever see the inner garter strap unless you take your kilt hose off. That would keep it from shaking/swaying when you walk, and should also keep it from sliding down.

If you like your sgian dubh, there's no reason to quit using it. Just jury-rig a solution that makes it work!

**Geoff Withnell** · 24th January 10, 07:43 PM

I have found that regular garter ties work better than the elastic flashes to hold up a heavier sgian.

Geoff Withnell

**pastorsteve** · 24th January 10, 09:33 PM

It sounds like you just may have too much exposed. Put it into your hose so that it covers the bottom 1/3 of your handle and you'll likely be fine. Otherwise, your flash strap is too loose.