Sgian solution - A Review

[English Bloke]

Hi all.

I've seen alot of threads on here relating to the sgian dubh and have participated in a few. As I've mentioned elsewhere I don't carry a sgian ever as I have strong views on carrying knives. I'm not talking about your average swiss army pen knife here but any blade that could be construed as a weapon. I believe that in normal circumstances knives are not necessary in modern Britain and have in fact become a scourge on our society. To that end I cannot bring myself to carry a blade for the purpose of decoration when I strongly advocate severe punishment for those who do carry them for a more sinister purpose.

I am not afraid of weapons, I have handled weapons for most of my adult life, I just feel that the damage that is currently being wrought by knife weilding thugs in this country prevents me from going against a principle. No disrespect is intended to those of the X-Marks community who do carry them and other knives for their general use and without a hint of malicious intent. It's just MY thing.

Anywhoo, the dilemma that I face is; I whole-heartedly agree that a sgian is an important aspect of traditional Kilted attire. I also like the effect and agree that it completes the look; and to be 'properly' dressed one should have one tucked in one's hose.

I have a sgian that I was given and have never worn. It's a cheap plastic thing with a blade that could just about cut through blanc-mange. Not a nice article at all. Similar on the world wide wonder-web are priced between £7 & £11 but in my opinion, worth about 50p.

The sgians that Rab Gordon and others produce are truly beautiful and I would love to own one just for the 'having' but again my personal principles get in the way, not to mention they are way out of my bracket... Where to go next? Mmmmm. Compromise required.

I've looked at the sgian brew option and even thought about making one for myself. A handy bottle opener is much more appropriate to my lifestyle than a concealed weapon.

Then I came across this... which will do till I hone up my own woodworking skills and make myself something as an alternative.

It's in the sgian don't vein (ie. imitation/dummy) and is turned from oak salvaged from a used malt whisky cask. Now that... is appropriate. It's made in Scotland and I like it very much. Solves my problem nicely me thinks.

I've fixed mee darned camera by the way. It's amazing how important those pesky batteries can be...



I've pictured this next to a standard kilt belt and buckle for an idea of scale. It's actual dimentions are 6.2" Long (16cm) The handle portion is 2.2" (6cm) and the blade portion is 4" (10cm)



Closer view.



It's flattened on one side so it sits nice and snuggly against the calf. Although it doesn't look it in the picture the flattened side is ever so slightly rounded and there are no sharp edges at all.

It arrived the day after the confirm button was clicked and was very well packaged. It came with a hand signed note of thanks and a glossy flyer. Nice for £10.99 plus P&P

The bloke that makes them is called Richard Shann richardshann@btinternet.com and he has an ebay shop HERE

He hasn't got any of the whisky cask ones left (I must have got the last one) but he does have them in other woods and if you're desparate for the oak one I'm sure an email would get something sorted.

It's a nice thing and meets exactly with my requirement, budget and taste.

Thought I'd share it with you all.

[Riverkilt]

Ingenious idea!!

Visions of versions in ironwood or mesquite...

See they're made in Hawick...isn't that where the Lewis Hose are....or is that where Alex lives??? O recognize that name. Seems to have some trouble exporting them individually...sounds like a great opportunity for a stateside vendor...or a craftsman with a lathe or their own.

Ron

[English Bloke]

Ron.

It really is a nice thing. I love Oak. Must be the Englishman in me but the whisky cask aspect made it unique for me.

I appreciate you are dry but you will see where I'm coming from. Ironically many whisky casks are old bourbon casks so it's probably american oak anyway.

The gentleman's customer service is excellent which is also an added bonus in this world of double fast 'buy it now' stuff.

Very pleased with my purchase!!

[Bugbear]

Very interesting. Panache will want to see this.

[S.S.Muldoon]

Quote:
"I have a sgian that I was given and have never worn. It's a cheap plastic thing with a blade that could just about cut through blanc-mange."
And as all Python fans know, if your sgian can only deal with ONE adversary, the blanc mange may be the most important.
Reference noted and appreciated!
Mick

[ThistleDown]

I certainly don't want to change the course of this thread (I love the craftsmanship shown), but I wonder at the Bloke's rationale for not wearing a traditional sgian dubh. I think I understand his desire to live by his belief that all edged weapons should be banned in urban England, but I wonder at a universal UK ban that includes those parts of these isles where the carrying of such weapons of destruction is traditional -- and peaceful.

I'm a rural Scot and don't feel any pressure to be rid of the sgian as my "pocket knife" from those with whom I live. I live in Western Canada too, where both the sgian dubh and the Buck are often seen. I don't think anybody feels threatened by either in either place.

Perhaps this is not the right place to discuss this (MODS move it or delete it as you see fit), but I wonder how my fellow Scots and Canucks in this forum feel. And I wonder, too, if there is a difference between how one feels living in an urban or in a rural environment, and in societies where one feels threatened by someone who wears -- in his hose -- what could be a weapon, whether that is a piece of sharpened wood or bone or horn or steel.

Just puzzled and questioning, that's all.

[Kilted Carver]

The problem in the States is its illegal, unless you have a concealed weapons permit ( if the blade is over 3 inches, if I'm wrong someone please clarify)
I made a few batches of faux sgians a while back and have given a bunch away to friends and family. No two where alike.



I kept a couple for myself and plan on making some for the holidays....again. I like them because they are light, legal, and comfy next to your leg.

[Panache]

Very interesting. Panache will want to see this.

Indeed Ted, I am always interested in other people's ideas for their "sgian don'ts" (I am happy to have been the one that coined that term sometime back here on XMTS).

I think that English Bloke's sgian don't is quite nice, it is simple and handsome.

Originally I was opposed to these "blanks" but I have come to realize that when one wears a blank like this it is a nod to the past and comes without many of the problems that a blade can bring in the wrong circumstances.

I recently suggested on another thread that it doesn't take a lot to make one of these yourself. All you need is a bit of wood, a button or two, a few simple tools, a dab of glue, and some sort of finish for the wood.

They don't have to be as elaborate as Kilted Carver's (which are quite nice) so don't be intimidated.

This one is much simpler



If you get right down to it, a bit of scrap wood and a small knife for whittling is all one really needs to make your own.

I encourage anyone interested in a "blank" sgian don't like the ones in this thread to try their hand at making their own. Wood is very a forgiving material and wearing something you made yourself is a very nice thing indeed.

Cheers

Jamie

[McMurdo]

That is a lovely looking alternative to the sgian dubh, congratulations wear it well.

[Ryan Ross]

The problem in the States is its illegal, unless you have a concealed weapons permit ( if the blade is over 3 inches, if I'm wrong someone please clarify)
I made a few batches of faux sgians a while back and have given a bunch away to friends and family. No two where alike.



I kept a couple for myself and plan on making some for the holidays....again. I like them because they are light, legal, and comfy next to your leg.

That's some fine work, Sir.

I think the rule in Georgia, as found in Knife Laws of the 50 States, is that no knife can be carried conealed (I think the hose top would be considered "not consealed", just as a folder clipped to the top of a pocket might not be considered "consealed"), and no knife can be carried "for offensive or defensive purposes". This allows for much individual interpretation of the law, and is purposfully vague. All that said, various cities have their own laws, so if you're inside city limits, all bets may be off. I know that I never carry a sgian, when I go downtown for class.