Has carrying a sgian dubh ever caused anyone problems?

**McClef** · 31st July 07, 03:14 AM

Originally Posted by parpin

Hi all,

That's the reason I bought a dummy sgian dhu when I bought my first kilt outfit.
Even with that many people asked me why I carry a knife in my sock.

An airport would be the last place I would put that object on me. In fact a kilt outfit would not very practical there.

Even a dummy would create a problem in an airport if you are flying. A kilt outfit is fine provide you use common sense and pack the sgean in your hold luggage case, I also put the kilt pin in as well though some airports in the UK at least will allow it - there is no seeming hard and fast rule but discretion is the better part of valour and why risk losing a favourite and valuble pin? My friend Andrew forgot to pack his pin coming back from Edinburgh Airport in October and was still allowed through with it when I expected it to be confiscated.

Once I reclaim my luggage at the other end I open the case and put on the items right away, never had a problem walking through the airport then.

**James MacMillan** · 16th September 07, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

You know everybody has done very well in this thread that VERY easily could have slid into some nasty differences of opinions.

I think that we have all given Braveheart88 some food for thought.

Might I suggest we let this thread rest until Braveheart88 himself decides to update us on his (and his Mom's) choice.

Cheers

Jamie

Hey Jamie - How long do we have to wait, for Braveheart88 to open this up again???????

**ardchoille** · 16th September 07, 04:06 PM

In Seattle, Washington, it's illegal to carry a blade of more than 3 inches (but you can easily get a permit to carry a handgun.. go figure). I had a police officer tell me I need to leave it at home or be arrested next time he saw me with it. I feel it's a silly law since there is no law about carrying pens, pencils, forks, or anything else that can be used as a stabbing weapon.

**johnnym** · 16th September 07, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

In Seattle, Washington, it's illegal to carry a blade of more than 3 inches (but you can easily get a permit to carry a handgun.. go figure). I had a police officer tell me I need to leave it at home or be arrested next time he saw me with it. I feel it's a silly law since there is no law about carrying pens, pencils, forks, or anything else that can be used as a stabbing weapon.

If this really bothers you, the the place to challenge it is through the legal process. Get the law fixed, then wear the sgian dubh or not. Better to challenge first than to lose a prized posession. In the meantime, wear a fake (bottle opener, comb etc.) , or stick a pen, pencil, fork, etc. in your sock.

**Gary Krueger** · 16th September 07, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Don Patrick

Not with a dirk, but I have with with knives in general. Courthouses, airports, some schools, anywhere they use metal detectors. I lost a couple of nice knives that way.

There is about a 5 to 10 inch difference between a dirk and a sqian dubh. The dirk is a long knife or a short sword...and is carried in full view from a leather "holster" affixed to the kilt belt in some cases. But it is carried in full view. Sqian Dubh means the "dark knife" or "hidden knife." In the days of the great kilt it was hidden under the tartan that passed over your shoulder. It was a weapon of final resort and close infighting as I understand it.

I could be wrong but that's what I have learned over the years.

I never wear one into a school...although I do wear it into church and other areas...I have never been bothered about it. At the local renfest, here in Michigan, it is policy to forbid any weapon of any kind except for those of the performers... since the pipe bands are only occasional performers, we don't wear them into the festival.

You can buy a Sqian Dubh type bottle opener etc and they even make them without an actual blade, just large plastic part that fits into the scabbard.

You wouldn't want to carry one on an airplane...in fact all that type stuff goes into my stowage luggage. The kilt, etc and pipes are always carry on but the sqian dubh goes in the large suitcase to be stowed. Ya gotta be smart about when and where you wear it.

**gilmore** · 16th September 07, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

In Seattle, Washington, it's illegal to carry a blade of more than 3 inches (but you can easily get a permit to carry a handgun.. go figure). I had a police officer tell me I need to leave it at home or be arrested next time he saw me with it. I feel it's a silly law since there is no law about carrying pens, pencils, forks, or anything else that can be used as a stabbing weapon.

Why not file down the blade to three inches?

**Archangel** · 16th September 07, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

In Seattle, Washington, it's illegal to carry a blade of more than 3 inches (but you can easily get a permit to carry a handgun.. go figure). I had a police officer tell me I need to leave it at home or be arrested next time he saw me with it. I feel it's a silly law since there is no law about carrying pens, pencils, forks, or anything else that can be used as a stabbing weapon.

It's kind of important to know how the law works. In the case of Washington state, the legislators have deemed that a blade more than 3" is a weapon, shorter than that it is a cutting tool. The other items you have mentioned are tools until they are used as weapons. After that, I'm not sure how the state law would go.
Once it has been deemed a weapon, it is very hard to get it changed back. Especially, you, one person, against the system. You'd have to have a sgian dhu exemption so you could try and have every pipe band, clan society, etc., lobby for a change.
The UK law as a model is pretty good. It says that a sgian dhu, when you're kilted, is part of the deal, when you remove it, it becomes a weapon.

Or get a custom sgian dhu at 2 7/8" blade, but usually the law has already written something in that will catch that dodge, especially in a almost concealed (the length is inside the sock) knife.

disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, I have a pretty good understanding of it. Before you do anything, talk to a lawyer in your state.

**ardchoille** · 16th September 07, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Archangel

Especially, you, one person, against the system. You'd have to have a sgian dhu exemption so you could try and have every pipe band, clan society, etc., lobby for a change.

That makes a lot of sense. I'm going to work on getting this changed. No reason that carrying a sgian dubh, while kilted, should be seen a weapon. I like the way the UK views this model.