Sharpen a Sgian Dubh?

[Destin_scot]

The consensus seems to be that having an unsharpened sgian dubh is useless.

I agree, that as a tool, a knife that is dull is less than useful and can be downright dangerous.
As to my earlier post about the legalities of carrying a sgian dubh, as Katia pointed out, intent can be what makes it legal or illegal to carry. So, in Florida; if you carry a knife with the intent to use it as a weapon, then it requires a concealed weapons permit, if you carry a knife to open packages, slice bread, cut vegetables, graft trees or such, (use the knife as a tool), then it does not require a concealed weapons permit. So it really boils down to what the investigating officer, (if you are stopped for some reason or another), thinks you are intending to use the knife as: a tool or a weapon.

That makes things as clear as fermenting whisky mash....

[Katia]

LOL, exactly. Which is why I'm inclined to think-- unless you get a cop who's having a really bad day-- that a sgian dubh is more likely to be "overlooked," or perhaps I should say "disregarded," as an obvious dress ornament than considered even in the same class as a pocket knife-- you can probably convince them "oh it's for tradition, it's just a part of the outfit" blah blah blah than to think of it as a knife/weapon (or at least I'd sure as hell try). Especially at some sort of Highland event where a LOT of people have one. (Or, maybe I'm the only one carrying a "live" blade at the Highland Games! Doubt it, though.)

[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.

[Geoff Withnell]

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.

Things I have done with my sgian:
Opened Packages
Cut ribbon to wrap a present
peeled an apple
cut salami for sandwiches
stripped insulation from wire
cut plant stems for grafting

et cetera, et cetera.

Yup. not much use for anything.

If one is normally kilted, and used to carrying and useing a pocket knife from boyhood, the sgain gets used quite a bit.

[neloon]

Geoff,
It's the American way!
I was merely commenting on the Scottish way.

[kilted scholar]

Agreed. I've seen any number of people in the USA with pocket knives and other similar implements but only workmen with knives as part of their tool kit (and not many at that) over here.

[Geoff Withnell]

Geoff,
It's the American way!
I was merely commenting on the Scottish way.

I guess it's just a part of our pioneer heritage <big grin>

[Bill aka Mole]

FWIW, in South Carolina, it is the intent that determines if a Sgian Dbuh is a weapon or a tool in about 85% of the state. Certain cities and counties has differing laws based upon length or no carry at all.

And yes, there is an edge on mine. If I had wanted a butter knife in my sock, I know where to find one.

[Father Bill]

Laws change, and I'm neither a cop nor a lawyer (two groups I deeply respect!) so I won't make a guess about local or other laws, but my best guess is that a lot will depend on the officer who sees you with it:

- Does he even know what's sticking out of your sock?
- Did he sleep in and catch blazes from the sergeant?
- Did he have a fight with his wife last night?
- Did he cut himself shaving this morning?

etc.

etc.

etc.