The Perfect Sgian Dubh for Travelling

[Stitchwiz]

I thought someone was looking for something like this but could not find the thread - what a prolific rabble we are!
Moderators, please feel free to move this if there is a better place for this post. Thank you

This is a sgian dubh which looks good but is not real! Perfect for travelling...

Imitation Sgian Dubh is 7 1/4" long. Looks like authenic Sgian Dubh, but does not open or have a blade. Perfect for children, young adults, and traveling.

http://www.highlandxpress.com/jewelry.html#brooches


Happy Travelling!

[Mel1721L]

I thought someone was looking for something like this but could not find the thread - what a prolific rabble we are!
Moderators, please feel free to move this if there is a better place for this post. Thank you

This is a sgian dubh which looks good but is not real! Perfect for travelling...

Imitation Sgian Dubh is 7 1/4" long. Looks like authenic Sgian Dubh, but does not open or have a blade. Perfect for children, young adults, and traveling.

http://www.highlandxpress.com/jewelry.html#brooches


Happy Travelling!

I prefer my antler handled bottle opener. It is less dressy too.

[Grizzly]

If it's not real why wear it? If I want a sgian I will pack it in my luggage that goes in the hold. Why invite scrutiny when it can be avoided?

[Tarheel]

Valid point Grizzly, but here's a thought. I used to work with juvenile offenders (three decades ago) and a necktie was required when parole meetings were held. We were told only to have clip-on tie so the kids wouldn't choke us to death. It was weird because I like a full-Windsor knot on my silk ties to fill the collar. For some, not wearing a sgain would seem like we're half dressed.

[Grizzly]

Tarheel, with respect, I would rather feel half dressed than have a customs officer carry out an internal body search because I have a knife pretend or otherwise, in my sock. But feel free to test those customs boys & girls out. I repeat why run the risk?

[bwat]

In some countries it is illegal to be walking around in public with a knife. Anybody travelling abroad with a sgian dubh would probably want to check the lie of the land before setting off.

[imrichmond]

If it's not real why wear it?

As Tarheel intimated, a sgian dubh is a traditional accoutrement for highland dress. I have a fake sgian dubh, as well as a couple of real ones. The fake one I wear mostly when piping or making presentations in schools, which generally have strict rules about bringing any kind of weapon onto the premises. The fake sgian dubh completes the traditional outfit. Also, when making presentations to students, I have found that a sgian dubh tends to be a huge distraction for young boys, many of whom will focus on it to the exclusion of anything else. Once they find out that it has no blade, however, their interest in it dissipates quickly. The fact that I'm wearing even a fake one, though, lets me comment on the sgian dubh as part of traditional highland dress.

Interestingly, in a highland-wear shop in Inverness a couple of years ago, I overheard another piper from our group ask a sales clerk about the sgian dubhs on display. When she asked him whether he was interested in the dummy ones or the bladed ones, he replied, "Why would anyone want one without a blade?" The sales clerk explained about the strict knife laws in the UK and added that her shop sold more of the dummy sgian dubhs than they did the bladed ones. Indeed, she said, the bladed ones were bought mostly by foreign visitors. Perhaps she exaggerated a bit, but I thought her reply was quite revealing.

[Tarheel]

Good debate and rebuttals. I find this matter has a positive outcome when intelligent people make the proper decision due to the occasion. No weapons at school, strangers frisking me at airports is forbidden and a clip-on tie will have to do when mingling with juvenile offenders. Thanks for the mental exercise.