Sgian dubhs and Dress Codes

[Geoff Withnell]

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.

Back in the dark ages (1950's) when I was growing up, a boy started carrying a knife when he passed the Scout knife safety course. Typically, his dad would give him a small "Swiss Army" style pocket knife, or something similar. Been carrying a pocket knife ever since. To me, a sgian is a pocket knife for a man without pockets. Sure, it could be used as a weapon, but that's not its purpose, anymore than the ballpoint pen in my shirt pocket or my belt buckle are weapons, though they could be used as such. And unless I am someplace where carrying would be an issue, I carry a sgian with a real blade. And if I don't carry a sgian with a blade, I just don't bother. I don't see the point to a "sgian brew", I don't drink enough beer to need to have an opener about my person.

[slothead]

Someone told me recently that it is an excellent tool for peeling an orange (and does indeed look to be a good tool for that).

[Jack Daw]

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

Screw caps on American beer bottles are even too painful sometimes with my arthritis.

[The Q]

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

.

I think I might have a use for a Sgian Brew

crown top bottles are still quite common over here....

[tripleblessed]

Back in the dark ages (1950's) when I was growing up, a boy started carrying a knife when he passed the Scout knife safety course.

Interesting. I started in Scouts in 1952 as a Brownie, since Mama was an assistant leader in my sister's activities and I was too young at 5 to stay home by myself. Got my first knife, a Boker, in1954, while a Cub. Boy Scouts, and Explorers 'til I was 18. I never knew there was a knife safety program. In south Georgia farm country, I knew no male and few women who didn't carry at least one blade when not in the water or the bed. We saw them used daily, multiple times, and any adult who pulled one out in the presence of a novice would give advice and instruction while using it. We got guns beginning around 8, most had a BB gun or pellet rifle by 9. A .22 and/or a .410 were in our hands about the same time . Most of the boys I grew up with had all of the above by 12 or 13. We were never allowed to think of them as weapons, we were never allowed to play with them. Tools, Tools, Tools. ALWAYS careful. Focused. Serious. None of us was ever seriously injured.the closest was when a dull blade slipped, and we learned to keep it sharp.

Not advocating against the rules, just describing ancient history.

[California Highlander]

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

So I don't have a Sgian Brew.

Down in the states there are many, many microbrews, plus UK imports available and none are screw top or twist. I use my sgian bru, received up as a gift while in Scotland, quite frequently. It was a memento of time spent at the Highland Field Sports Fair at Loch Moy last August. The antler handle also looks enough like a sgian dubh when I have it in my hose.

[Leprechaun 91]

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.

As a man who was in boutique shoe sales for over 20 years, I can fully endorse this. Brillian!.