The Sgian Dubh

[Jock Scot]

Actually Larry it's a fair question. As to its history, well I am not really sure there is definitive answer. I think its fair to say that knives were carried in all sorts of places around one's person for all sorts of reasons, mainly utilitarian I would say, but of course it could be used as a weapon too if needs be. As part of the Scottish hospitality thing, that is still taken seriously here in Scotland, it was "expected" that a guest in the house should declare his weapons to the host, so any hidden potential weapon was put in plain sight by the guest. Apart from the fact that the guest would use his knife to cut off a chunk of meat or bread whilst dining. Anyway on to modern times.

I suppose the kilt thing as we know it today was refined into some sort of order in the Victorian times and the SD was taken in as part of the romantic idea of what kilted gentlemen should wear.These days, with modern thinking and laws(dont go there! There are pages on the law---and every country has its own version----- here!!!!!) some carry a plastic SD or one with a blunt edge, or with a bottle opener on the bottom instead and some don't carry one at all. I think many just think something sticking out of the hose top is almost expected, but in truth, it is not a hanging offence, in kilt attire terms, not to carry one at all, if one so chooses.

I carry one with a sharp blade most of the time and it is very handy for peeling apples and opening letters. Frankly, it is not a MacNinja fighting knife, nor it it a survival knife and as we all know there are far better knives for those purposes should they be required.