Question about wearing a sgian dubh

**PiobBear** · 27th March 07, 05:56 AM

theres no hard fast rule that I know of that says it HAS to be perfectly aligned with _______ and _____ to look proper as far as I know its like everything else....where, and how you want

FWIW; from the Regimental Drum Major Association:
"Leading edge of front flash to be vertically up front of leg bisecting the top diamond of the hose.
Worn inside hose of right leg in center of front-right portion of leg bisecting the flash with handle only showing.
Scabbard and metal trim concealed by hose."

If worn this way, the sgian ends up in the groove between the tibia and muscle (tibialis anterior), which might be more comfortable.

**MrAcheson** · 27th March 07, 06:40 AM

You really need to check your state and local knife laws. A standard sgian might be long enough to be classified as a deadly weapon, but most places only regulate concealed deadly weapons. Since the sgian is traditionally in your sock where anyone can see it, this is open carry and far less strictly regulated.

But your mileage may vary, etc.

**bubba** · 27th March 07, 07:07 AM

Piobear, municiple ordinances. State laws aren't the last word. I think you might find cities, towns and villages have their own additions to State laws. I took the easy way on this and talked to the chief of police of our Metro force and the 3 inch limit and folding configuration is an ordinance common to Little Chute and Kimberly. I was told Appleton has a similar ordinance. You really do have to check local ordinances and regulations as well as State laws.

**Caradoc** · 27th March 07, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by bubba

I took the easy way on this and talked to the chief of police of our Metro force and the 3 inch limit and folding configuration is an ordinance common to Little Chute and Kimberly.

Must be difficult to make sashimi in Little Chute unless you're a professional and thus "allowed" to have the correct knives.

**Panache** · 27th March 07, 07:29 AM

Hi All,

McMurdo's post was about comfort in wearing a sgian dubh. I don't think he was interested in a discourse on the legality of wearing one depending on where you live.

Out of respect to McMurdo perhaps we can focus on what he was asking about.

Cheers

Panache

**Peter C.** · 28th March 07, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

well dang,

I always thought that indent in my leg helped hold the thing in place....

Have two, wear them seldom since I work in a mental health/criminal justice environment and wouldn't be wise - or allowed.

Do wear them for special occasions.

Ron

Hey Riverkilt,

you caught me off guard with that comment - it`s good to have a laugh early in the day

My sgian dhu came from Glasgow in the 70`s and is about an inch wide so it spreads the pressure on the leg. The back of the handle is smooth and level with the back of the scabbard. The jewel is offset slightly away from the leg so it doesn`t dig in. - Basically built for comfort and I have never experienced discomfort.
So I would have thought that Arlen`s suggestion of loosening the garter was a good idea - or your sgian dhu just isn`t built for comfort.

I imagine they make them like mine because round handles or some fancy handles are just uncomfortable.

Peter

**Pour1Malt** · 28th March 07, 12:38 PM

ai dinnae think they arr meant tae wear "all day"...

ai rarely if e'er wear yin... when ai dae... it is just fur a few hoors fur an event...

**Panache** · 28th March 07, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Peter C.

...My sgian dhu came from Glasgow in the 70`s and is about an inch wide so it spreads the pressure on the leg. The back of the handle is smooth and level with the back of the scabbard. The jewel is offset slightly away from the leg so it doesn`t dig in. - Basically built for comfort and I have never experienced discomfort... or your sgian dhu just isn`t built for comfort.

I imagine they make them like mine because round handles or some fancy handles are just uncomfortable.

Peter

Peter has a good point, that the cause might not just be the tightness of the garter for the flashes, but also the handle shape. I hardly notice my very slim, very smooth oxhorn handled sgian dubh from the Scotish Tartan Museum. But my antler handled sgian dubh can get uncomfortable after a few hours of walking around.

Cheers

Panache

**McMurdo** · 28th March 07, 04:42 PM

Thank you Panache for your words of wisdom, I really do not need or want to get into a long dissertation about the leagalities of a sgian dubh.

I will post pics of the new dubh soon, it is an antler handled model with a flat back that I purchaced for that very reason, and I thought it would be comfortable.

**Nick** · 30th March 07, 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Peter has a good point, that the cause might not just be the tightness of the garter for the flashes, but also the handle shape. I hardly notice my very slim, very smooth oxhorn handled sgian dubh from the Scotish Tartan Museum. But my antler handled sgian dubh can get uncomfortable after a few hours of walking around.

Cheers

Panache

In the antler-handled sgians I've made, the handle curves to the right. This may seem odd in a knife for a righty (they were), but when you think about the shape your hand takes when holding a knife, it makes sense and is actually very comfortable to hold. It also makes the handle curve away from the leg, not enough to stick out oddly, but enough to relieve some of that pressure.