Daywear Sgian Dubh???

[ThistleDown]

Is there a reason for deviating? The sgian of today may be used by those of us who wear the kilt as a pocket-knife is by those who wear trousers, but not as some sort of weapon.

[David Thorpe]

Is there a reason for deviating? The sgian of today may be used by those of us who wear the kilt as a pocket-knife is by those who wear trousers, but not as some sort of weapon.

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The sgian dubh is a component of traditional Highland attire. One's choice should therefore be made with respect for tradition as a primary consideration. Otherwise, just stick your weapon of choice in your sock and call it whatever you like.

[Braw Cathairneach]

Everyone’s input has been edifying and is appreciated. The consensus as I understand it is that wearing a back-up knife in lieu of a sgian dubh despite any similarities may be inconsistent with tradition, can be considered at best a gros faux pas, at worst an unnecessary and preventable enticement to the constabulary.

Thank you all for providing the input that I solicited with this thread.

[Dale Seago]

The consensus as I understand it is that wearing a back-up knife in lieu of a sgian dubh despite any similarities may be inconsistent with tradition, can be considered at best a gros faux pas, at worst an unnecessary and preventable enticement to the constabulary.

Pretty much.

That said, however, I wouldn't altogether discount the idea of pressing other sorts of knives into service as a daywear sgian dubh. With a different sheath, for example, a traditional Finnish puukko could work very well in this role:





Of course it doesn't "deviate" all that much from early forms of the Scottish sgian dubh. . .likely because it came about for similar purposes.

[Zardoz]

Everyone’s input has been edifying and is appreciated. The consensus as I understand it is that wearing a back-up knife in lieu of a sgian dubh despite any similarities may be inconsistent with tradition, can be considered at best a gros faux pas, at worst an unnecessary and preventable enticement to the constabulary.

Thank you all for providing the input that I solicited with this thread.

Sometimes a knife is just a knife.