Getting my husband set up with all the bits that go with a kilt

[jean]

Hello, all,

I'm new to this forum, and have questions! My husband already has a kilt, kilt hose, a Prince Charlie jacket and a handsome fox sporran, but he lacks a kilt belt and the knife that you stick in your hose (yes, I know there's a name for it - just can't recall the name). His birthday is coming up, and I want to get him some "bits" that will finish off his outfit. I'm a sucker for a man in a kilt, and I want him to look his best!

Let's start with the kilt belt. Some belt buckles are so shiny that you could start a fire with them in a pinch, and some are burnished and dull. Is there a rule for kilt belt buckles? Day wear vs. evening wear? I want to buy him a belt that will work for either - something classic - but I have no idea what that would look like. We kind of sank our battle ship when we bought that Prince Charlie jacket; now he's fitted out for the evening only. So I'm going to have a a business suit jacket altered to a kilt jacket (I read this elsewhere on this website) so he has something for day wear as well. Now I need the kilt belt to match.

Next is the knife/dirk/thingy. I have a length of antler from a recent trip to Alaska, which I'd love to have made into a knife/dirk/thingy. (I realize I am committing a serious Scottish sin by not knowing the name of this implement, and I'm very sorry. My ancestors are rolling in their graves. Even my grandfather is groaning in his grave - I can hear him.) Does anyone know where I can have this made?

I think those are all of my questions so far. Thank you! I appreciate all of your help, and look forward to learning a lot from you all.

Best,
Jean

[Holcombe Thomas]

Good morning, Jean, and welcome to the Great Rabble!

Actually, both the kilt belt and the sgian dubh (the "knife/dirk/thingy") are optional. Your husband can wear either or both or none, whatever he wishes. For belts and buckles, look around at the various vendors (a bunch of the good ones are advertisers on this site) and look at pictures until y'all find something you like. Or head out to a highland festival/games (Williamsburg is coming up in early October) and look at what other kilt wearers have.

I really like the idea of using your own Alaska antler for a sgian dubh. There are kits or just blades available, if you're handy, and perhaps some of the custom makers would entertain commissions using the antler. It's worth asking. Google will find both.

There is no need to rush. Take your time and have fun.

Holcombe

[BCAC]

Hello, Jean and welcome from a Scotsman living in the South of France. The name of the "implement" that you're looking for is "SGIAN DUBH". There are some wonderful craftsmen making these things all over the world. I like these people myself:
http://www.scottishsgiandubhs.com/index.php but I don't know if they will be able to make you one from from your "length of antler".
There is also someone who advertises on (and is a member of) this site, you can see his advert on the right hand side of your screen in a red background with a sgian dubh in the middle around which is marked "a real sgian dubh made in Scotland". He does good work. You simply need to click on his advert to enter his website.
There are contact informations on both of these sites and the craftsmen are willing to discuss your needs. Most can make anything you want, for a fair price. Be warned though, it could become fairly expensive to have a sgian dubh made rather than to buy one ready made ("off the rack", so to speak).
I hope this helps.

[Scout]

Jean,

Surf through some of the advertisers here on the forum and I'm sure you'll find everything you need.

Regarding the belt and buckle, if your husband is wearing a vest with either his Prince Charlie or his daywear jacket, he won't need a belt. When wearing a belt though the advice on buckles seems to be that the more shiny buckles are more suitable for more formal wear. The knife/dirk/thingy is a "sgian dubh". There are many varieties, so again, check out some of the X Marks advertisers. If you want to go the custom route using your antler I'm sure someone here can recommend a craftsman who can do that for you.

Welcome to the forum!

[jean]

Thank you - that is something I'm going to have to weigh out: do I want the romance of a sgian dubh from an antler that we brought back from Alaska (with the added price?), or do I want to just choose a less expensive sgian dubh with an antler handle that reminds us of our travels in Alaska? But at least I know what my choices are. Thanks for thinking this through with me! It's very helpful.
Jean

[jean]

Thanks, Mike. My husband doesn't own a tartan vest, although that might be another purchase for another time. Since we live in the South, that kilt can get hot! A vest might be a cooler alternative.

I don't see many men wearing a vest with their kilts, though, either at family events (we're Scots, though, so we're thrifty - in our family we'd buy one or the other, not both!) or at Scottish festivals. Do you see men wearing both? Is this gilding the lily?

Jean

[jean]

Thanks, Thomas. So there is no "day" buckle vs. "evening" buckle? I'm trusting this means I can choose for him what I want. Whenever I suggest to my husband that he choose what he likes, he demurs, saying, "Oh, they're so expensive..." Well, there are some quite moderately priced belts and buckles out there, and I want him to look nice.

We usually go to the Richmond highland festival in October - it's bigger, and more vendors tend to attend. Golly, is that fun!

Jean

[Riverkilt]

I'll third the no need for a belt...kilt straps do the job well. Thin guys do better with belts. My front porch collides with the big buckles causing discomfort. Gave up on kilt belts.

Another suggestion on sgian dubhs is check out knife stores. Or if they have any back there - Native American goods stores. Both often offer short knives - usually for boys - but they make great sgian dubhs depending upon the handle - which is all that shows.

You can also check out letter openers that immitate knives - like the replica KayBar that Marines often wear as a sgian dubh. This is an area where you can be very creative.

[Chas]

Hello Jean,

Welcome to XMarks from the other side of the Atlantic in Norfolk, England.

Regards

Chas

[Pipersson]

Hi Jean!

Welcome to this inspiring forum!

I guess finding a nice belt won't be a problem...there are many retailers who offer fine belts..maybe an embossed one to be dressy with the Prince Charlie jacket.

Nice and fine handmade SGIAN DUBHs you may find here...

http://www.scottishsgiandubhs.co.uk/index.php

All the best and good luck,

Tom