Sharpen a Sgian Dubh?

[BBNC]

I'm going to build a Sgian Dubh. The blade is Damascus (unsharpened), and the handle is bog oak. That aside, my question is this: Do I sharpen it, or leave it dull? Apparently there have been events which banned sharpened Sgian Dubhs. Do I make two...one for real, and one for decoration?

As a knife collector, user and former maker, I believe a dull knife is no knife at all.

What's the consensus?

Bruce

[Geoff Withnell]

You will find varying opinions. My own is if I can't carry a properly sharpened knife, I don't carry one at all. Here, I have never had a problem, even at the Maryland renfair that officially bans even fake weapons - and then sells them.

I'm going to build a Sgian Dubh. The blade is Damascus (unsharpened), and the handle is bog oak. That aside, my question is this: Do I sharpen it, or leave it dull? Apparently there have been events which banned sharpened Sgian Dubhs. Do I make two...one for real, and one for decoration?

As a knife collector, user and former maker, I believe a dull knife is no knife at all.

What's the consensus?

Bruce

[nagod]

i only wear functional knives,so i say sharpen it,

[Cranky]

If it were me, it'd be sharp. Otherwise, it has no practical use and is just a silly decoration.

[CMcG]

I also think a knife should be sharp, otherwise it is just a glorified letter-opener. If you sometimes attend events where knives are banned, including a sgian dubh, you could consider making some kind of "sgian don't," which would have something like a bottle opener, hair comb, etc instead of a blade.

[Singlemalt]

I would say sharpen it as well. I am not aware of any restrictions or regulations which say it is OK to carry a dull knife but you can't have a sharp one. If the situation is appropriate to have a knife you might as well have a useful one. If it is not then don't carry one at all.

[jhockin]

I'm going to build a Sgian Dubh. The blade is Damascus (unsharpened),

1) is your Damascus balde from India, or ?
2) let us know how well it takes an edge, please.

[Dale Seago]

1) is your Damascus balde from India, or ?
2) let us know how well it takes an edge, please.

Excellent question. It may be some sort of laminated technically steel blade, but that is no guarantee that either the composition or heat treatment will allow it to take a functional edge.

[TheOfficialBren]

Excellent question. It may be some sort of laminated technically steel blade, but that is no guarantee that either the composition or heat treatment will allow it to take a functional edge.

That's true, Dale. I have a knife that won't take an edge without a serious fight. I like it but I can't rationalise carrying it since it goes dull quickly and hates the sharpening stone.

[neloon]

I think the modern Scottish view is that even a sharp sgian is not much use for anything so why bother with it at all.