I don't quite know why but this thread reminds me of an incident that happened many years ago while I was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. My wife and I, along with another couple would gather our privately owned guns and drive out to a place that we found, far from any civilization and spend the week-end camping and shooting.

Another soldier after learning of this asked us if he could come along and so he did and we spent the week-end camping and shooting. The very next time we went out there he asked if a friend of his and his friends wife could also join us and I had no objections at all.

Once the camp was set up and we had everything in place we got out our guns and started into the usual target practice, at this time I was approached and asked if we would refrain from doing any shooting because the newest members of our group did not like guns and the shooting was going to ruin their week-end of camping with us.

Now I am a reasonable person and I told them that I did not want our shooting sport to ruin their week-end so why didn't they just pack up their gear and get back to town where they should have stayed in the first place?

I guess my point is if you have a problem with a natural part of an established custom it stands to reason that either you simply not wear the small utility/defensive knife that is as much a part of Scottish attire as the Kilt itself or you get a butterknife and wear that in the kilt hose or perhaps a tattoo in its stead.

A Sgian Dubh is a tool, a shovel is a tool, an M-1911 is a tool and as with all tools there is a time and a place to possess and use that tool for whatever reason or purpose that comes up. If you don't want to have or use that tool then don't. I personally would rather have that small 'tool' in case a few drunks decided they didn't like my decision to wear the kilt. Or perhaps I forgot to clean under my fingernails. I then would find a good use for it if necessary, but then again, I don't call 911.

Chris.