Sgian dubhs and Dress Codes

[Kamilavalamp]

In Traditional Highland Dress, Is it expected or optional to wear the sgian dubh in your hose or boot? Would you be considered Improperly dressed without it?

[Holcombe Thomas]

I would say that, traditionally, the sgian dubh goes in your hose. Its use is optional.

Holcombe

[Tarheel]

Considering the "political correctness" of today's environment, a sgian worn in public falls within the judgment of the kilted as well as protocol of the situation. When I wear mine, I must be able to remove it or explain the legal ability to display. Sometimes it is easier to leave the sgian at home or in the car.

[California Highlander]

Wear or not wear, choice is yours based on your preferences, tradition, location, and venue. My only kilted events have been in California and Scotland and 90% of folks had one in their hose, if they were wearing hose. Those in sandals usually skip the sgian!

Remember, not all countries or provinces, or states have the same rules, traditions, and laws, so what flies in one person's town may not work in another's. YMMV.

A "safe" options is to wear a "sgian don't" aka "sgian brew", as they can look traditional but have no pointy bits.

[Roderick Powell]

If we are speaking of a formal event I would wear my traditional Sgian Dubh.
I we are talking of an informal do where drunken members of the public may appear, I would wear my plastic dummy
Sgian Dubh with a jewel in it. Only the handle is showing, there is no great loss if anyone choices to steal a plastic knife from
your Kilt hose. I understand this type of ornament is acceptable to Airline security.
If you have any concerns carry your Sgian Dubh or Dummy in your pocket. You may have problems with a steel blade in your
pocket in any type of security check. Roderick.

[Todd Bradshaw]

The Sgian is one bit of the package that I usually just don't bother with. I make a lot of stuff, but I'm typically not a "pocket knife person", so I'm really unlikely to have a need for one while kilted any more than when not. When you combine that with the whole aspect of wearing what some people might consider a weapon to a social gathering or into someone's place of business, I just figure it's no skin off of my nose to avoid the issue in the first place and leave it at home. If a kilt person wants to tell me that I'm out of uniform, they're probably right - but I don't care. Especially at Scottish festivals and Highland games, I can guarantee that there will be a whole lot of people that are a whole lot worse. Even though its placement was supposed to convey that you were coming in peace and not hiding anything dangerous, wearing one is one of those old traditions that I wouldn't miss if it faded into history. If I ever feel serious need for one, I'll probably make a really nice handle for a comb, stick it in my hose and call it a "Sgian-Do". Not only will I come in peace, but my hair will be neat and orderly when I do. Your mileage may vary.

[OC Richard]

In Traditional Highland Dress, Is it expected or optional to wear the sgian dubh in your hose or boot? Would you be considered Improperly dressed without it?

If we're talking the modern Traditional Civilian Highland Dress which has come down to us, which became rigidly systematized in the early 20th century, yes, it's common to wear a sgian, a horn one for Outdoor Dress/Day Dress and a black one with silver fittings for Evening Dress.

Historically speaking, such a knife isn't seen in 18th century portraits, as best I can recall, and isn't universal in the Victorian period.

In the military they've long been worn by officers as one of their symbols of rank, and by pipers.

I rarely wear one.

Thing is, the first time I saw a piper in person, when I was a teenager, one of the things that I noticed was his sgian. And, when I used to go out to schools and various places to do piping performances the kids were always fascinated by my sgian. That was years ago. For many years now schools (and many other venues) have a "zero tolerance" policy with weapons, so when doing piping performances the sgian should be left at home.

I do have a fancy military style kit, and when I wear that (not often) I wear sgian and dirk. I have a sword too- haven't worn that in many years.

[Geoff Withnell]

I wear the sgian when i would carry a pocket knife in Saxon dress when i have pockets, and for much the same reasons, to have a knife at hand if i need to cut twine, slice tomato, or other such task. I have a few, to match the formality etc of my outfit. I don't wear one to religious services, or when there are security rules that interfere, and so forth.

[DyerStraits]

I wear the sgian when i would carry a pocket knife in Saxon dress when i have pockets, and for much the same reasons, to have a knife at hand if i need to cut twine, slice tomato, or other such task. I have a few, to match the formality etc of my outfit. I don't wear one to religious services, or when there are security rules that interfere, and so forth.

This is excellent, definitive guidance, and the same that I follow. Consider the circumstances and exercise discretion. One of my favorite quotes regarding firearms possession is from H. Ross Perot, who said that, as a boy growing up in Texarkana, "Everybody had guns, but nobody ever used them." As with all cutlery--and other similar implements--it's either a tool or a weapon, depending on the circumstances, and assuming you're keeping the right kind of company, it should only ever be the former, never the latter. As practitioners of the lethal Martial Arts say, "Always Have It, Never Use It". For a gentleman, a sgian dubhs is, and should be, little more than an ornamental accessory.

[Roderick Powell]

If we're talking the modern Traditional Civilian Highland Dress which has come down to us, which became rigidly systematized in the early 20th century, yes, it's common to wear a sgian, a horn one for Outdoor Dress/Day Dress and a black one with silver fittings for Evening Dress.

Historically speaking, such a knife isn't seen in 18th century portraits, as best I can recall, and isn't universal in the Victorian period.

In the military they've long been worn by officers as one of their symbols of rank, and by pipers.

I rarely wear one.

Thing is, the first time I saw a piper in person, when I was a teenager, one of the things that I noticed was his sgian. And, when I used to go out to schools and various places to do piping performances the kids were always fascinated by my sgian. That was years ago. For many years now schools (and many other venues) have a "zero tolerance" policy with weapons, so when doing piping performances the sgian should be left at home.

I do have a fancy military style kit, and when I wear that (not often) I wear sgian and dirk. I have a sword too- haven't worn that in many years.

I have spoken of my day wear eighties stainless blade and stag horn handled Sgian Dubh for day wear. Never actually noticed the wearing of a black sgian for evening wear.
The literal translation is the black knife, or concealed knife. Perhaps it was worn concealed in the early years of Victorian Photography. I understand it was later worn in the Kilt hose as a visible act of friendship. This disclosed if the gent was right handed or left handed. Never sharpened the blade on mine as it was dress wear.
For any form of work I would use a carbon steel penknife.
I have seen references to the complete set of personal cutlery worn together with twin pistols and Claymore and Targe.
The variations give a well armed Highlander. The arms in the armoury of Scotlands only private army are impressive.
My Drovers sporran was designed to carry my day's supply of porridge oats and musket balls. Roderick.