Sgian Dhub question

[bubba]

Around here the maximum legal blade length is 3 inches and if the cop isn't sure it's under that it gets confiscated. To avoid getting approached by the law constantly I just carry my folding knife in my sporran.

[Raphael]

SInce I don't know how to use a knife, it may turn against me. Therefore, I don't carry one.

[Graham]

SInce I don't know how to use a knife, it may turn against me. Therefore, I don't carry one.

How the heck do you sharpen your pencils then? Oh OK, you use a keyboard these days!

[Celt]

Or clean your fingernails, or open letters, or cut off loose threads, or split an apple with a friend, or cut an article out of the paper or .......

[Raphael]

I use my Fangs

[GMan]

Graham,

You asked how I inadvertantly slipped a butter knife into my kilt hose, simple, Outside of being a little bit spacey, I was putting on my flashes at the breakfast table and had grabbed the wrong knife. Kind of like me spacing out the quote from you.

Glen

[Raphael]

It is fortunate that you didn't grab the steak knife instead

[Celt]

I use my Fangs

Oh. In that case, no, I'll pass on half your apple, thanks.....

[Raphael]

I use my Fangs

Oh. In that case, no, I'll pass on half your apple, thanks.....

How about half of my orange?

[Robbie]

Just to be pedantic, the correct spelling is Sgian Dubh (Gaelic for Black Knife).

One source claims it is so-called simply because it usually has a black handle, but the more generally accepted explanation is that it got its name because it was carried in a dark (concealed) place, and the custom of wearing it in the sock came about because it was considered bad manners to have a concealed weapon when amongst friends, so the knife was brought out of concealment and, for convenience, stuck in the sock.

Here in the UK it has no other purpose than simply decorative and is not normally worn other than on formal occasions. The blade is long enough to fall foul of the (anti) knife laws and would certainly not be allowed on an aeroplane. However, at least here in Scotland it is permitted as part of the outfit when formally dressed, in the same way as Sikhs are allowed to carry their ceremonial daggers.