Sgian dubh on the inside

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have just been told on another forum that wearing the sgian on the inside of the leg is some kind of challenge to a fight.

Is this true?

Actually, this is, surprisingly, not a myth. It is


TOTAL HORSE PUCKY!!!

The "myth" is that the sgian dubh is worn in the hose top to show that one has "peaceful intentions". The reality is that the sgian dubh was originally used as a small skinning knife by deer stalkers, and was stuffed into the top of their stocking so they didn't have to grope around on the ground looking for it while gutting or skinning deer. The name "sgian dubh", by the way, is not derived from stealthy concealment or the colour of the handle, but from the fact that the blades of these knives were darkly stained from rough and indifferent use. The wide spread wearing of the sgian dubh as a part of ordinary Highland dress dates mainly from the 19th century.

[CommonHighrise]

The reality is that the sgian dubh was originally used as a small skinning knife by deer stalkers, and was stuffed into the top of their stocking so they didn't have to grope around on the ground looking for it while gutting or skinning deer.

I'm far from an expert on Gaelic dress...however this makes the most sense to me. In the field, a short knife is the most common reached-for tool that you can carry on your body. Normally, one would carry such a tool on your belt, but considering the construction and wear of a great kilt, I could see the fabric getting in the way when crouched or contorted. Whereas the lower leg is easily accessible whenever you are working on the ground.

As far as positioning inside/outside, using the same rationale, I'd say worn on the outside shows normal dress. Inside the leg, and you might have a confused Scot on your hands. The only time I would take the position of the knife to mean an impending fight, is when it is in the hand.

[nehmah]

[ The only time I would take the position of the knife to mean an impending fight, is when it is in the hand.[/QUOTE]
This is a sensible human. Nehmah

[SteveB]

When I drive the car, the Sgian Dubh generally gets in the way of the shifter. That is on this side of the pond. It has not been a problem in the U.K. I either move it to the inside of the leg, or remove it and place it in a door pocket. I did leave it inside the leg once on alighting from the car. Itcame to my attention when I snagged it on the hose of my left leg.

[Highlander31]

Sounds like bunk to me. However, when I was diving, I would wear my knife on the inside of my leg to keep it from hanging up on the kelp. Oh, wait,...worn inside the leg is a challenge. That explains why the seals in Monterey Bay were always harassing me,...and here I was thinking they wanted the fish I had speared.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When I drive the car, the Sgian Dubh generally gets in the way of the shifter.

Well, let me solve that problem by selling you one of my right hand drive cars!

[ziggy]

Well, let me solve that problem by selling you one of my right hand drive cars!

there's some resourceful british ingenuity if I ever heard some :P

I am coming in late to this...but wearing the sgian on the inside....yeah that makes little sense to me also.... it'd look funny, probably be uncomfortable...the lot