Sgian dubhs and Dress Codes

**slothead** · 4th January 16, 06:31 PM

I'm really surprised that I have not read where someone has had a little ankle biter walk up and grab a sgian dubh from their stocking before he/she could be stopped! It is the one risk that I fear in wearing it (the sgian dubh) in public. Years ago, when I was a US CW reenactor demonstrating my field kit at a public event one time, I looked away from my pack just long enough for a five-year-old to fish around in it and find the straight razor in my shaving kit!!! I can fully understand the Sgian Bru or the 'safety' version.

**OC Richard** · 5th January 16, 07:57 AM

I love the idea of the Sgian Tog but I haven't found one with a handle that looks "right" to me.

No, in 40 years of kiltwearing I've never seen a wee biter grab one out of somebody's sock. Could happen though! I'd actually not even thought of the possibility.

**slothead** · 5th January 16, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I love the idea of the Sgian Tog but I haven't found one with a handle that looks "right" to me.

No, in 40 years of kiltwearing I've never seen a wee biter grab one out of somebody's sock. Could happen though! I'd actually not even thought of the possibility.

Pardon my ignorance OC, but what is a sgian tog? I googled it to no avail!

**OC Richard** · 5th January 16, 08:06 AM

Oh, I just made that up!

Tog means to brew or distill.

For linguistic consistency and all that.

And I suppose I should have used snapper rather than biter (Irish slang)

There's a book!

and a movie! (very good too.)

**Steve Ashton** · 5th January 16, 06:50 PM

I haven't seen a bottle that required a bottle opener in many years.

So I don't have a Sgian Brew.

But I do find time those times when I want the handle of a Sgain yet don't want the blade.

So I came up with an alternative.

It's not a Sgian Dubh --- It's not a Sgian Brew ---- It a Sgian Shoe!!

Take one standard Safety Sgian - The one that is all plastic.
Cut off the blade sheath.
With a Dremel tool grind out a hollow in the handle.
Epoxy in a shoe horn.

Viola - The Sgian Shoe.
If you are ever on an airplane and take or loosen your shoes to keep your feet from swelling or any other time, I bet a Sgian Shoe will come in a lot handier that a bottle opener.

ps, the added bling to this is a piece of aluminum duct tape burnished on with a frayed toothpick.

**Katia** · 5th January 16, 10:17 PM

If I stick Bill & Ted in the handle, is it a "sgian dude"?

(Why yes I am low on sleep, whyever do you ask? Right, I'll get me hat.)

**freddie** · 6th January 16, 04:25 AM

To my knowledge the sgian Dhu is worn symbolicly as a small knife was exempt from the 18c disarming act following the failed Jacobite rising. I always wear mine, fancy for dress and horn for daywear. I do however wear a dummy if the occasion calls for it.

**OC Richard** · 6th January 16, 06:59 AM

Seems like a lot less trouble all around to just leave the thing at home, which is what I usually do.

**MacRob** · 7th January 16, 07:24 AM

While the sgian is optional, I have always carried one. In fact, I got my first knife at 9 and carried it to school, as did all my other friends and nobody ever got stabbed - we had better sense. Not a good idea to try that these days.

A sgian as constituted these days is not a weapon, just an ornament. Mine are sharp and can be and have been used when a knife was needed but I think most folks who wear the kilt never think about their use as a knife. I always get a little tickled when, in Rob Roy, Alan MacDonald reaches for his sgian when Guthrie confronts Rob in the pub. What would he do with a tiny knife against a guy wielding a broad sword? Nobody carried them in their hose in the early 17th c. either.

I have never had any problems carrying my sgians anywhere but it is always wise to check out local rules before doing so.