Sgian Dubh

**KenB** · 8th February 10, 06:46 AM

I was wondering if traditionally women also wore or carried a Sgian Dubh?
If so, where and how did they carry it?

KenB

**Jock Scot** · 8th February 10, 06:55 AM

I don't think that they did as a matter of course, mind you a frying pan, or rolling pin has been the usual weapon of choice for the gentler sex over the years.

**Woodsheal** · 8th February 10, 07:04 AM

Not in the current sense of a decorative knife worn tucked into one's hose. 18th C. (and earlier) women certainly used utilitarian knives in their daily household roles, especially in the kitchen. Maybe they carried one around on a belt for ease of access. There were items known as chatelaines which hung from a woman's belt and from which all manner of household tools dangled on little chains - thimbles, scissors, etc. So, the notion of a woman wearing a small working knife on her belt is not out of the realm of possibility.

However, she would not wear one away from home as some sort of concealed weapon....

**Lallans** · 8th February 10, 08:12 AM

Women of the nobility of the middle ages supposedly carried a belt dagger to defend their virtue should the need arise- those castles were awfully close quarters apparently. Also, a dagger was at one time the sole eating utensil and they were carried around for that everyday purpose. A sgian dubh would work for that, however I don't see the in-the-sock carry style working with the traditional Scottish women's dress- but if they did who would know or dare mention it in those days?