Dirks are for Pipes & Drums

[wyldathart]

Personally I wold not wear a dirk out on the town or just for everyday wear. I will be wearing one to games or the like. I don't own a fancy dirk or sgian. My sgian has a stag hilt and the Dirk is a Coldsteel version that is a real weapon and not something that would bear having fake jewels all over it. I wear it for no other purpose than I just like feeling it on my hip.

[beloitpiper]

I wear mine for very formal occasions and some piping gigs. Otherwise it's too cumbersome, heavy, and pointless.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There is a time and a place for the dirk, be it be-jewelled or plain. That said, the proper occasions for wearing one are few and far bewteen. Now given that a first class dress dirk will set you back a minimum of $1,000 these days, and a look-alike Chinese copy can be be had for under $50, I can see no point in trying to impress people by wearing one. On lookers will either think, "What a berk to spend all that money on an antique," or they'll think "What a berk-- who's he trying to impress with that piece of tat?"

Whether it's 19th century silver, or 21st century Shanghi, wearing a dirk makes people thing you are a real wally about 95% of the time. The other 5%? Well, that's when it's appropriate to wear one.

As far as sgians dubh are concerned, wear the real thing, or nothing at all. Fake is fake, and gentlemen don't do fake.

[Bugbear]

As far as sgians dubh are concerned, wear the real thing, or nothing at all. Fake is fake, and gentlemen don't do fake.

* throws away the DIY sgien don't being worked on *

Looks like the STM has some nice ones, and a new custome made kind now.

[Woodsheal]

As someone said, the notion that dirks are "strictly military" is fairly recent. Back in the (historic) day, every highlander had his dirk - even the poorest who could afford no other weapon. And, it was as much a tool as a weapon.

I have two rather plain ca. 1700 style dirks that I wear at reenactments or when in historic get-up. They've come in quite handy for slicing fruit, bread, meat & potatoes! I haven't worn them with modern garb, though I could maybe see them complementing a tweedy day-wear outfit in an outdoor setting, such as a highland games event....

[Colonel MacNeal]

A phone dubh in the kilt hose might be useful. Sort of clan Maxwell Smart gimmick.

[gilmore]

A phone dubh in the kilt hose might be useful. Sort of clan Maxwell Smart gimmick.

That's the most amusing thing I have read all day.

[Bugbear]

* sigh * I used to carry around a short, but good steak knife because many eateries only have those table knives that are only good for cutting butter. Perhaps a steak knife dubh...

Na, that wouldn't go over well.

[wyldathart]

Hahaha "Steak knife Dubh" that made me chuckle

[bricelythgoe]

Ah, but I'm not wearing a weapon. I have a Shoe Horn in my sock that has a fancy handle. And as I have far more use for a shoe horn than I do for a knife in my sock that is what I wear.
If I need a blade I am no further than 2 or 3 feet from one. There must be at least 10 around the shop.
Plus, when Police or airport security question me about it there is always a chuckle and further discussion about Kilts and accessories.
It is a really good conversation starter and I've sold a couple of Kilts just by wearing something unique and fitting to my outfit far more practical than a knife.

I love it! Great idea! I never really need a knife.