Sgian Dubh for Youth

[SgtKmack]

My five year old enjoys his Stillwater kilt but to keep him interested we watch Highland games on Youtube now and then and check out web site too. He was very excited about kilt pins in the form of swords and battle axes . I have yet introduced him to the sgian dubh but I know he would love it..but..is it proper for a five year old? If so does anyone make a fake one for youths?

[SFCRick]

They do make fake youth ones

[MacKay71 Wife]

If you do any woodworking at all, why don't you try your hand at making your own? My husband has made several that are out of one piece of wood and are jokingly called a "sgian don't". I'll get him to post some pictures for you! Something like this would be more appropriate for a child and could be made with his name, family crest, etc. to still make it memorable and special for him.

[slohairt]

There are two types available for youth: A one piece of moulded plastic, or a smaller model with a metal blade that is dull and rounded at the tip.

[MacKee]

There are two types available for youth: A one piece of moulded plastic, or a smaller model with a metal blade that is dull and rounded at the tip.

Do you know where I can find the smaller model with a metal blade that is dull and rounded at the tip in the USA?

[slohairt]

In the USA? I have no idea, but I could order one for you if you like. PM me for details.

[okiwen]

Why on earth would you deprive him of the opportunity to show how much of a man he has become? Give him a real knife and show him how to use it and care for it. Impress upon him that this is only for "big boys" and watch that he will measure up to the standards expected.

I gave all five of my kids pocket knives very early and the boys I would test them by asking to use their knife periodically. If they didn't have it I would quip "what kinda man doesn't have a knife?" None have failed me; and when the inevitable cut occures they quietly care for themselves not wanting to admit that they have done something dumb that they knew better.

Just like it used to be in the good old days when we raised them to be men not boys for life.

(off soap box)

K

[Marshal Moroni]

I love knives, all kinds all sizes, but 5 years old is a bit young, IMHO. When it came to my children (both boys and girls) they got their first real knives at about 12. When they could earn the privilege.

I like the idea of giving him something similar, and have been thinking up possible sgian don'ts myself, how about a comb with an antler handle. Looks good in the hose, and not likely to be any trouble when it comes out of the hose.

Just a thought.... Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

[sathor]

I have decided to take my oldest camping at the festival next year, he did well with his kilt this year, (he needs to learn a bit better how to use the potty while kilted, the port a john really screwed with him!)

It will be 3 weeks before he turns 6, he will have to learn fast to honor the fire, and I would consider how it goes that weekend as to if he could have his first knife. I was near his age when I started period camping, I know 87 was not my first year, so that means I was 6 when I first camped. (87 was a drought, and the place we camped was closed, but there was an alternate location nearby)

[bigdad1]

Regardless of what you end up giving him, be it plastic or wood or rounded point and dull, it is important that he be taught what a real one is and what it can do. Just like a gun he must be taught respect of the knife and how to properly handle it, carry it and how to show it to others. Even a toy shian dubh is not really a toy.