Guess where I found my Sigan?

**cessna152towser** · 13th July 10, 03:40 AM

It seems there are more than a few of us have discovered the similarity of a sgian-dhu to a letter opener. Years ago my teenage sweetheart gifted me a letter opener from Norway. I still have it and occasionally I wear it as a sgian-dhu.

**Danwell** · 13th July 10, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by Drum Major

My guess is it was in your 'I can't spell' box. I'm guessing you are talking about your sgian dhu (pronounced skean dew) meaning black dagger (black in colour and purpose).

Wow, you're going to popular around here with a stance like that, and all the while giving incorrect information!!

**BoldHighlander** · 13th July 10, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

It seems there are more than a few of us have discovered the similarity of a sgian-dhu to a letter opener.

Indeed!

**Pleater** · 13th July 10, 03:57 PM

Now I think about it - I haven't seen my letter opener around for a while - it was quite a nice one with a suede handle, but it did not resemble a knife all that closely. It had a point but no edge to speak of.

Although some might wish to regard the sgian dubh as a knife with a fell purpose I suspect that the name has more to do with it being an everyday object from a time when most men would carry a spoon in their cap and a knife in their sock in order to have cutlery wherever they went - most households would not have anything more than the serving spoons and a carving knife to put on the table, and at inns and food shops and stalls it was bring your own or use your fingers.

As something commonplace it would be dark or black from having a wooden handle and wood or wood and leather sheath, something of higher status would be bright and shiny.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Drum Major** · 13th July 10, 09:30 PM

It's all aboot gettin' up yer kilt

**Danwell** · 13th July 10, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Drum Major

It's all aboot gettin' up yer kilt

My mistake, Mal.

I thought it was all "aboot" providing correct information and educating people, not taking swipes at their lack of knowledge. Now I know where I've been going wrong all these years!

**Drum Major** · 13th July 10, 11:12 PM

Sorry mate I have spent to long on 'The Scotsman' site. Other posts have paid out on me for my first comment. All my other posts on this site have stayed between the lines. Regards

**English Bloke** · 13th July 10, 11:28 PM

Easy chaps. I'm sure we'd all be laughing together if we were in the pub. Witty quips don't travel well on't t'interweb (I've learned this to my cost). Lets all be friends eh?