Quote Originally Posted by PiobBear View Post
... personally I choose not to trivialize a tradition into a mere fashion acessory.

No offense intended towards anyone, just my thoughts on skin dubh. YMMV. Nice handiwork, by the way.
PB,

I imagine that one could say that the sgian dubh became trivialized in the Victorian age when kilts and highland garb had their heyday. It became ornamental rather than functional, much like the sporran which was a simple pouch and became another elaborate dress accessory. I think of my "Sgian Don'ts" (which is just a silly play on words in the same manner that Rab Gordon's "Sgian Brews" are) as a reminder of a Highland tradition. I have fairly recently made a razor sharp antler horn sgian dubh :

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=20820

I have used it exactly twice since making it, once to slice an apple, and once to carve a jack-o-lantern. My formal oxhorn one from the Scottish Tartan's museum I use fairly often... at home as a LETTER OPENNER! My comb is pretty much just for show (and a socially acceptable item to have at an elementary school). Now my bottle openner tends to get quite a workout. Not that I drink a lot of beer or anything . I think having a functional and useful tool readily at hand is something that the Highlanders of old would appreciate. I can respect your opinion. I just wanted to offer a counterpoint.

Cheers