Talking of Sgian Dhu's

[Derek]

What with the new laws in the UK about knive's, I've decided not to take any more chances wearinmg my Sgian Dhu outdoors. So I took drastic measures and went up to the local car mechanics and asked them to saw off the blade, which they did. I then celloptaped the sheath back up to the handle. So now I am bladeless. Here's a piccy ...
Iechyd Da
Derek

[GMan]

Good thinking Derek. I like the looks of the handle by the way.

[kiltedjaz]

What with the new laws in the UK about knive's, I've decided not to take any more chances wearinmg my Sgian Dhu outdoors......
Iechyd Da
Derek

I e-mailed Kent Police about wearing a Sgian Dhu this morning...

I am a Scot, living in Folkestone.
In view of the recent high profile knife campaign/amnesty, what is the position for somebody like me who regularly wears a kilt and Sgian Dhu?
Could I be prosecuted for carrying an ‘offensive weapon’ or similar offence?
A few years ago, I asked the same question at my, then, local Police Station in Bournemouth and was told that it was acceptable because it was a recognised part of a traditional National costume.
My Sgian Dhu is real, not a fake (non-bladed) and is always carried in the top of my right hose (sock), with the decorative handle showing.

Many thanks
James Campbell


Here is their reply (sent within 10 minutes)...


Dear Mr Campbell

It is an offence to have an article in a public place which has a blade or is sharply pointed (S139 (1) Criminal Justice Act 1988.

However there can be a defence

if it can be shown it was part of a national custume - this includes someone in Highland dress with a skean dhu.

I hope this assists

Helen Bland
Chief of Staff

[David Thornton]

Derek, if that was a production piece with a non functional balde, then I am with you. If that was a custom piece, well, just don't tell me.
I've been through this twice. When Australia had the amnisty on long guns I had to stand by and watch hand made side by side shotguns being crushed. I saw the same thing here at local police voluntary gun buy days. It kills my sole to see pieces of art and history destroyed for no good reason.
So, before anyone else takes these measures with a nice sgian, I'll say this. Don't, wrap them up and ship them here. I will proudly collect and display them.
David

[Pour1Malt]

Derek-

ai hae been thinkin a daein a similiar thing...

but ai wuz plannin oan leaving 1/2" arr 3/4" o' the blade oan...

then gluin it inside the sheath...

same idea though....

[Planopiper]

I can see wearing the sgian dubh if you're in full highland dress, because to me it's more of a costume piece. I wear it as part of my band uniform or if I'm performing. But if you're wearing a kilt as regular clothing, then I don't see how the sgian dubh is justified. It's not the most useful form of a utility knife that you could carry, and wearing it in the top of the hose is not particularly secure. The historical significance is debatable, unless you're into Victorian re-enactment, I guess. To me, it doesn't help make the kilt a legitimate piece of modern dress to wear it with costume pieces, like dress knives, or big, poofy shirts or glengarries.

It’s a shame you had to destroy a good knife just so you could walk around with a handle sticking out of your sock.

I know there will be a lot of people who will tell me I'm wrong, that they use their sgian dubh all the time, that it’s more than a show piece, that it’s an important part of their heritage, but to me those arguments are specious. I think people just want to have one more thing to wear that makes them special.

[auld argonian]

I know there will be a lot of people who will tell me I'm wrong, that they use their sgian dubh all the time, that it’s more than a show piece, that it’s an important part of their heritage, but to me those arguments are specious. I think people just want to have one more thing to wear that makes them special.

...well...have you ever had to put up with a bunch of Swiss Army veterans who just won't shut up about those damn army knives of theirs? You know..these guys get a couple of hot chocolates in them and then the $#!+ starts..."Oh, they're SO handy...I wouldn't walk out the door without one." "Oh, they can take away my Swiss Army Knife when they pry it out of my cold, dead, Swiss fingers."

Yeah...there's a time and a place for everything...I've stated before that I don't think that running around urban Chicago with a shiv sticking out of your sock is a great idea...it might not be as much of a problem in someplace else but it just don't work here. Sorry if Derek had to do in a nice piece of cutlery to comply with local ordinances but that's the price we pay for some kind of social order. I'm sure that dummy handles will be the norm for day to day wear and the actual sghians will be worn at special events and kept as collectors items.


Best

AA