Functional Sgians

**Geoff Withnell** · 28th July 13, 03:32 PM

Just for the purposes of knowing what sgians are legal to wear in a given location:

http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USKnife.pdf

BTW, 2.5 inches is the limit in Chicago.

Originally Posted by ring0

AA, I might be mistaken, but isn't any blade length over 2.5 inches illegal in Chicago?

I refer to the Chicago Municipal Code, where the relevant section MCC 8-24-020(f) reads, "No person shall carry concealed on or about his person...any other type or kind of knife, any blade of which is more than two and one-half inches in length."

It would break my heart to put the time and effort into making a beautiful sgian, and find out afterwards that it's a half inch too long to wear in my home town.

**auld argonian** · 28th July 13, 09:09 PM

Cautiously treading here lest we stray into the forbidden zone of discussion...

Gads! Maybe I'm working on old information from my youth...I hadn't heard that the code specified 2.5 inches....and the issue of concealment wouldn't matter....most coppers would just look at the "on or about your person" part or cite "disorderly conduct". Sorry if I transgress the rules by discussing things in this light but it does concern me that one might have a sghian taken away from him/her-self on a technicality...I suppose that the wise thing to do would be to just wear a dummy SD in yer sock and keep the real one in yer sporran till you get to whatever event you're going to...I doubt that anyone would look past the obvious one.

And, Katia, I actually had a copper I walked past call me back to check for a "sock knife"...since I wasn't wearing one it wasn't a problem but he was awake enough to think that there might have been one.

Best

AA

**Dale Seago** · 28th July 13, 10:10 PM

My main daywear sgian is this one made for me two years ago. "Public" link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1&l=253a80883c

Prior to that it was a Cold Steel Mini-Culloden, which I still have.

**TheSp8** · 31st July 13, 11:38 AM

I too am a believer in carrying a functional knife. I kill two birds with one stone by carrying a Bavarian hunting knife as my sgian dubh to honor the German part of my heritage. It is worn 90% of the time day or evening wear even though the handle is antler the butt cap is shiny silver. http://www.bavaria-lederhosen.com/Ba...dqor2293eud9o4

YMOS,
Tony

**Màrtainn** · 1st August 13, 09:16 PM

It surprised me that nobody mentioned the Cold Steel Culloden, until Dale did.

I bought it way before I even seriously considered buying a kilt, just because I liked the look of it, and since I started wearing kilts, it has been my main sgian dhu.
I made a simple leather sheath for it, because the kydex sheath that came with it added too much bulk around the handle.

4812537.L.gif.jpg

Too bad Cold Steel replaced it with the Brave Heart, which is a bit too modern to my taste…

**Dale Seago** · 1st August 13, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Màrtainn

It surprised me that nobody mentioned the Cold Steel Culloden, until Dale did.

I bought it way before I even seriously considered buying a kilt, just because I liked the look of it. . .

So did I!!! Mine is the plain edged non-serrated version.

**Downunder Kilt** · 2nd August 13, 02:41 AM

To me, this knife, with its shape as it is, would come more in the realms of the sgian achlais than the sgian dubh

Originally Posted by QuarterCeltic

I also like the Cold Steel Scottish Spike.

**Llama** · 2nd August 13, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Màrtainn

It surprised me that nobody mentioned the Cold Steel Culloden, until Dale did.

4812537.L.gif.jpg

I didn't mention it because I'm sad that it's not for sale anymore and bitter that I don't have one!

**CMcG** · 2nd August 13, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by Sir Didymous

Ritter Steel may get a lot of guff in the reenactment circles (mostly due to being over built and having bulky scabbards on their swords), but my favorite arming sword is their "Round Table" model. If their small blades are anything like their swords, then these should hold up VERY well and should keep an edge like mad. All should function about like what you're looking for ... and the price is good.
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?...eel+Sgian+Dubh
I also trust the company. I've done business with them in the past and not just for the Ritter brand.

A while back, I bought one of the budget sgians from Kult of Athena for a friend and, despite the plastic handle, it has a sharp blade with a threaded pommel. Not bad for $5 + shipping! Not quite the style I'm looking for though...
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=HK501

Since you mentioned the Ritter sgian ($19), I've checked back a couple times but it has been out of stock...

Elsewhere, I saw recommendations for the Kris Cutlery ($64) and Generations 2 ($29) sgians that Kult of Athena is supposed to carry, but alas they too are out of stock

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=KRSSN

http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=IP0062

Originally Posted by Màrtainn

It surprised me that nobody mentioned the Cold Steel Culloden, until Dale did.

I bought it way before I even seriously considered buying a kilt, just because I liked the look of it, and since I started wearing kilts, it has been my main sgian dhu.
I made a simple leather sheath for it, because the kydex sheath that came with it added too much bulk around the handle.

4812537.L.gif.jpg

Too bad Cold Steel replaced it with the Brave Heart, which is a bit too modern to my taste…

That there is pretty much ideal because it is extremely functional without looking too modern. Since their discontinuation, they are still in demand, but hard to find. The last time I saw one it went for over $100 on eBay

**artificer** · 2nd August 13, 08:35 AM

My one and only.

I wear it with all various levels of dress from pub casual up through Black Tie- although I'd probably have something dressier made with a black wood for White Tie (not that I ever attend White Tie events).

ith: