Socks and a sgian Dubh.

[Mindrop]

So, right now I have black knee socks. However, despite the fact I live in texas, it is getting cold. I was wondering if you guys can recomend good socks for the winter,so I do not freeze. All I have is a black Utilikilt.

Just for an idea, we often change 20 or more degrees from 6 am to noonish. It just warmed up for the last week, but I was going to school in the 60's and 50's.

And then can anyone recomend a good sgian, that is no more than 4 inchs, and for up to $40.

Okay, I think that is it for now.

[Dale Seago]

And then can anyone recomend a good sgian. . .for up to $40.

I think those are mutually exclusive.

[Riverkilt]

Just me, after much shopping around I've become hooked on Lewis Kilt hose - you can get them from Dunadd Trading, one of the X Marks merchants.

Don't know you'll have much luck at a $40 sgian dubh, most seem to go for around $60 on up.

[Bugbear]

Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop - Lewis Kilt Hose

STM's Charles Buyers & Co. Sgians Dubh

[JerseyLawyer]

And then can anyone recomend a good sgian, that is no more than 4 inchs, and for up to $40.

I think those are mutually exclusive.

No where is it written that one must wear a sgian dhu with one's kilt. Anything you get for $40 (unless you get really lucky on eBay) is going to be junk. I can probably give you a link or ten to companies selling cheap, Indian or Pakistani made sgians, but they fall apart in no time, and I wouldn't actually use them to /cut/ anything. It's a false economy. You'll spend the money, it'll be crap, and you'll buy another one, and by the time the cycle ends, you could have just bought one really nice one to start with.

So, save up, buy a vintage one, or commission one - you'll get the best bang for your buck and are likely to get a better product. It's not like you're underdressed if you aren't wearing one. Like cutting off your balmoral ribbons, no one is likely to ever notice.

Also, the Sgian Dhu Co. sgians I have seen aren't bad, but they're basically an unsharpened hunk of steel. I couldn't speak to the actual quality of the blade, if that, more than appearance, is valuable to you.

The Lewis hose are very nice. Piper hose are cheap, come in lots of colors, and are quite serviceable. Buy them in any color but white.

[Mindrop]

Okay thanks.

What about longer socks? I have seen 3/4 length socks that go up to the thigh.

[Geoff Withnell]

If what you want is a good functioning knife, that will look reasonable sticking out of your sock, may I suggest the Cold Steel Scottish Spike?



The white metal and black cord of the handle work for me as a casual sgian. The knife is narrow and slender enough to ride well in a sock, and the blade works well as a working knife. This is my day to day, casual sgian. and the price is 39.95.

Geoff Withnell

[wildrover]

Okay thanks.

What about longer socks? I have seen 3/4 length socks that go up to the thigh.

?

Or like in this thread?
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...t-socks-62061/

I'll admit I'm going by the internet adage "male until proven otherwise", but kilt socks turn down about a hand's breadth below the soft spot just under your patella (also generally applies if you are female and in pipe band uniform as well). Wearing them higher will most certainly give the wrong impression...I wouldn't recommend it at all.

(Unless you're a girl.)

The Lewis stuff is nice, give that a try, or some of the longer hiking socks that can be pulled up near the top of your calf, like Smartwool or Thorlos or similar. "Piper hose", IMHO, will look out of place under a UK...it is a very distinctive look. Keep the edge on the UK...don't fall in the trap of trying to make it look like a traditional kilt.

I don't own a sgian dubh yet, but I have my eye on an Izula knife. Small, light, functional. Not 40$...but totally worth it, and you'll get use from it far beyond the kilt. At any rate, be mindful of the visual impression of a knife, if you're not in traditional Highland dress. I'm not saying do or don't, nor am I looking to start a huge discussion or argument (we have those threads elsewhere), just saying keep it in mind. Anyway, I do think a knife down your sock would work just fine with a UK if you're wearing more traditional length socks, but personally I think the UK's inherent deviation from traditional kilts also allows for deviation from traditional kilt accessories (with the exception of thigh highs. Please don't).

http://www.eseeknives.com/neck_knife.htm

(neck knife refers to the size of the knife being appropriate to hang on a lanyard around your neck)

Geoff, I believe you're missing a leading bracket on your first IMG tag...



Very nice, I like...price is right, too.

[lethearen]

1. Two inexpensive options for hose... go on ebay and do a search for kilt hose, you'll find some wool/synthetic blend hose for 10$ or less in several colours. They keep you warm when it's cool, and breathe well when it's warm to keep you cool. You can also scrunch them down or pull them up to suit your style or the weather. My clime is similar to yours, and those hose suit me year round. You can also go to Sock Dream and search for "kilt"... you'll find some cotton hose for 8$ that work pretty well. Not as warm as the wool blend in the winter, though.

2. Ditch the sgian; ya don't need it. If you just really need a knife, carry a small one in your sporran or your UK pockets.

[T-Bone]

Like cutting off your balmoral ribbons, no one is likely to ever notice.

HA HA HA...I just lopped mine off a couple of days ago. As I was doing it, I wondered if anyone would notice. I guess not.


Back on topic...With a UK, I would wear some nice wool hiking socks with 8-10" high boots. I have done this with my DIY UK in the Indiana (10-20F) winter without too much trouble keeping warm.

As for the sgian under $40. Good luck. As has been said before, I would up the price you are willing to spend to get something of quality and usefulness. Personally, I do not wear one when casually kilted, but I hate digging my pocketknife out of the sporran. The neck knife fits the bill perfectly. I have also had my eye on the Izula.

T