Protecting Kilt Hose from Sgian Dubh Damage.

[Tobus]

I have worn a sgian dugh with a sheath similar to the one in the photo above for many years, and never had a problem with the tip. I do wear hand-knit hose with a rather loose knit compared to commercial hose, and still no problem. Did this incident occur when you inserted it into your hose, or at some point during the day whilst walking?

My first approach to solve the issue would have been to round the tip of the sheath a little more with an Xacto knife (or razor blade) and burnish the edges so that they are smoother.

Another question to consider is whether the sheath is laying flush to your leg. Most sgians should have the handle flattened or tapered on one side so it will ride smoothly against your leg, without standing "proud". The sheath should, then, lay flat on your leg. If it's not, then perhaps the antler handle could be ground down a little better on the leg side (and then polished) to help it sit better. And last but not least, if the tip of the sheath has any curl to it due to it being slightly too long for the blade, then I would consider shortening the sheath at the handle end so that the blade is pretty nearly bottomed out in the tip of the sheath. That, plus, reducing the amount of leather outside the stitching (and rounding/burnishing it) should reduce any issues.