To dirk or not to dirk?

[Jock Scot]

I am sorry Dale I think you attribute too much to the Scottish Dirk. As far as I am aware and I must confess no in depth knowledge here, that the oaths that any Scot may have given, other than perhaps, "I hope that I can kill them before they kill me" type thing and general ones that were far from complementary to ones enemy of the time. I only have a vague knowledge of Japanese customs and their weapons , but I really don't believe the Scots delved that deeply into oath taking and their weapons and this so say Scots oath taking are not comparable to Japanese custom at all.

[CMcG]

If am understanding Dale correctly, I don't think he hauls a dirk around just in case he needs to swear an oath. It seems to be more of a symbolic gesture that visually represents his warrior spirit and vocation using a tangibly Highland sign.

Nonetheless, the fact that it is a real, functional dirk makes it rather more than just a symbol. This is further enhanced by the fact that he knows how to use it. The laws surrounding carrying weapons of all varieties are quite different in the US than they are in Scotland, but also the social attitudes towards doing so are more permissive in America. Perhaps this is closer to the way things may have been for the Highlanders or yore?

[TheOfficialBren]

I get that impression sometimes, too, Colin.

Just like our Scottish cousins, though, we Americans love a good show and a story, although (respectfully submitted) we haven't hit upon the "everything is a myth and should be shunned" phase yet.

[Dale Seago]

If am understanding Dale correctly, I don't think he hauls a dirk around just in case he needs to swear an oath. It seems to be more of a symbolic gesture that visually represents his warrior spirit and vocation using a tangibly Highland sign.

Nonetheless, the fact that it is a real, functional dirk makes it rather more than just a symbol. This is further enhanced by the fact that he knows how to use it. The laws surrounding carrying weapons of all varieties are quite different in the US than they are in Scotland, but also the social attitudes towards doing so are more permissive in America. Perhaps this is closer to the way things may have been for the Highlanders or yore?

You nailed the essence of what I was trying to say, Colin -- thanks!

I'd only add that nowadays I generally don't wear one when kilted at all, though I sometimes do if I'm hiking or camping in a remote area, in which case I sometimes wear it with j3@ns or sh0rts as well.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

With a belted plaid and a yellow shirt with giant sleeves -- and a primitive-pattern sort of headgear.

Have a sword handy as well. Or maybe a pole-weapon of ethnic description: the jeddart-staff, the Lochaber axe. Targe if you still have room and a wish to bear yet more arms.

This sort of thing is not at all out of the ordinary in Society for Creative Anachronism events, so there's the context: semi-reenactor. Swords of varied periods approximate the number of adult males attending, though sharp polearms aren't as common.

[Harper]

Hello, I'm new here. Sorry, I don’t know Rules 5 or 11 – but I hope I won’t cause offense by that ignorance. That said; here's my take on it:
I cannae help but get my knickers right inna twist at hearing the word "inappropriate." The word conjures up images of purse-mouthed grannies clutching their pearls in horror at something or other. Near to that is my reaction to warnings about what people might think, might feel, might even (oh, horror of horrors!) say. I hate “inappropriate.” It says that there’s some background loathing that we all know about, but it would be terribly gauche to even mention it.
That would be inappropriate.
Let me back up and make sure we’re talking about the same thing: the OP, way back on Page One, was about wearing the dirk. Not a word about drawing it or doing anything to scare anyone with it. Just wearing it.
I was 17 – 35 years ago – when I was first exposed to a weapons culture – the SCA. Sharps were on everyone’s belt and the first thing all newbies were carefully taught is how not to look like a dick where weapons are concerned: you never touch anyone else’s weapon without prior spoken permission; you never draw any weapon in an offensive manner; you never draw it without letting the folks around you know about it; and you make sure that if you’re going to draw it that you’re not close to anyone except the person who has politely asked to see this wonderful work of art and craftsmanship. Most people can get all the admiring they need of your blade without the point ever clearing the scabbard. If you’re well away from people you might even allow the person to take it in hand to get the heft of it – but this is a favor too much to ask; it must be volunteered.
I can recall no accidents with weapons from my time in the SCA. They just didn’t happen. And weapons were everywhere. They’re a vital part of the culture there – not as self-defense tools, obviously, there was never a need – but as a symbol that the person wearing it has the freedom, and may be expected, to respond with violence if attacked.
So it gets right up my nose when I hear grown men not only voluntarily limiting their own freedom to go armed, but suggesting that others furl their colors as well – because of what someone about whom they know nothing might think about it.
Now, I’m bang alongside expelling someone who draws a weapon stupidly and so endangers someone. But just wearing it? I like wearing it. When I’m at a Games or similar Celtic event it’s probably because I’ve been invited (by means of money) to play the Celtic Harp and sing some songs, maybe perform some stories from Celtic mythology or folklore. I’m a Harper. I never refer to the dirk on my belt. I also never refer to my shoelaces. They’re just there; no big deal. But yet, the sight of a good-quality dirk speaks volumes about my status, my station, and my self-respect.
But, I’m from Iowa. You don’t hear much about how crazy Iowans are, because we’re not. Our law says that if you have a concealed-carry permit you may also carry weapons openly. I’ve stood in line at the gas station behind a man wearing a Beretta 92F with spare magazine on his belt - no jacket - and nobody made any big deal about it. There’s no big deal to be made unless someone draws it.
So, my answer to the question on Page One about wearing the dirk?
If you don’t want to wear one then don’t let anyone hang one on you. But if you do prefer to wear the dirk then don’t be a dick with it. Just wear it without ever drawing attention to it. It will surprise you how few people even notice that it's there. You have much more influence on people’s reactions to you by the way you act than by what’s on your belt. Just don’t act scary – it’s rude.
As the wise man said, “freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite.” If you’re behaving like a gentleman, then if someone just has to shriek and clutch her pearls it’s because she likes to and you can't stop her so, don't worry about it.

[OC Richard]

By the 1860s it was rare to see dirks with Outdoor/Day Dress; they had become even by that time merely an Evening Dress accessory.

By the 1920s dirks ceased to be commonly worn with Evening dress, either. Highland Dress had become more streamlined, more "modern" I suppose, and the wearing of weaponry and crossbelts and plaids and feathers had mostly gone by the wayside.

So it has remained, by the main, in Scotland.

That's where I assume Jock is coming from, and where I'm coming from too. I never wear a dirk except with military-style piper's kit (which I rarely wear).

Here I am back in the 1980s with full weaponry! I never dress like that nowadays.

[Liam]

I have only had a few occasions to wear a dirk...

When dissecting the beast:


At a Renaissance Fair:


And at my 2 sons" wedding receptions so it could be used to cut the cake.

[Lime]

The other thing to think about is quality. Some are exquisite works of art or are a rare historical artefact, but most look as they were made by a blind Tibetan yak herder who was trying to make a garlic press.

Regards

Chas

Goodness... that was hilarious... I've just snorted wine all over my computer monitor! Do you mind if I store it up and use it as one of my own?

[Chas]

Goodness... that was hilarious... I've just snorted wine all over my computer monitor! Do you mind if I store it up and use it as one of my own?

Lime, I give it to you with my blessings. Neither I nor any Tibetans have any further use for it.