Fake vs real dirk.

[macmanjim]

The blade of my dirk was made in Sheffield, made to order, I had to wait for it. I got it from Jack Adams who is now alas deceased but I think the tradition continues, the blade of my sgain dhu came from the same factory. I made the handles and the sheaths for both myself. I like the work of real craftsmen, Jack Adams was one of the last of them. I would not want a cold steel blade if you paid me to advertise one.

Depends on ones budget. I’m not interested in dirks anyway and to me again dubhs would be a blade of my own choice and what I can afford. The questions I would have are does it work for me ergonomically, how well does it hold an edge and hold up. For me at least, it’s a tool. If I need a dilemma, it would be, should I carry the Hi Power or Commander?

[Liam]

I have 2 dirks, a dress one and a more rustic one. The dress one has been used twice to cut wedding cakes. The rustic one as an accessory with my great kilt at a ren fair and at Halloween.

[kingandrew]

I got a dirk many years ago for some event that seemed to call for one. My funds at the time were limited, so I selected the Bold Blades "Dirk for Dress or Daywear" (http://boldblades.com/html/dirks.html), which combines a very affordable price with a nice, dressy appearance. I do not recall ever having tried to cut with it, so I am unsure how sharp the blade is. Since I did not want to deal with airline security issues, I did not bring my dirk when I relocated to China. So the dirk is in storage in Florida and I cannot check it for sharpness at the moment.

My sgian dubh was a budget model I got with a "kilt package" deal. The blade is very sharp and I have used the knife as a general utility model around the house, opening packages and other such daily chores. It is also in storage.

As a teacher, I wear kilts at school occasions regularly. Given school policies about weapons and my own concerns about student safety, I don't wear any blade with my kilt to school. I do talk a little bit of traditional Scottish weapons in class when we are discussing Robert Burns, but I use images rather than bringing in my own weapons.

I agree with Jock that it is desirable to wear antique or heirloom weaponry with your kilt. However, this is not always so possible, especially for the man on a budget. Even if your Granddad was a dedicated kilt-lover, it is quite possible that he ended up having more grandsons than antique dirks. So some of us will be forced to purchase a new dirk, if we want a dirk in the first place.

I hope this some help to you.

Andrew

[CollinMacD]

I have search high and low for the dirk and sgian dubh to fit my needs. First it must be of the Jacobite 1745 era, as when I do wear them it is with a Jacobite impression and something that I could wear with my modern Scottish attire. Second, affordable; this means for me; I want value, unique, with quality craftsmanship, not one of a thousand the same. So that being said, I will pay a little more to get a better product within reason. Third, I prefer to support the small business man, not get an import, or go to ebay. After looking many places, and buying the cheaper Dirks, the Piper Dirks, and others, I was directed, (by a fellow person on this site) to check out Scotia Metalworks, Mike McRae, and I did. Not only did a buy two dirks and two sgian dubhs, I discovered a person that I can call my friend. Both Mike and I served (different branches) in Viet Nam, and became good friends. I am very happy with his products, and receive many compliments on them. I did not pay through the nose, I did pay more then what you would spend on ebay, but I know who forged the blade, and carved the artwork on the handles, and put it together. Mikes work in my book, is great, and I would encourage you to look at what he has to offer, if you do not see it on his website, call him, Scotia Metalworks, in North Carolina. Hope this helps you.