Sgian Dubh

[Sherry]

Now you're a Crusader, Robin! Nothing less than getting the law changed to allow the wearing skian duhbs as part of the kilt garb!

And your dear wife looks on in bewilderment, wondering what did she really do when she challenged you to wear a kilt.

[Robin]

You're right...

[chacbalam]

I am sitting here at my desk looking at one of my two sgian dubhs, I use it as a letter opener. Now I know any knife can be deadly, but mine can't even cut paper. I know, I just tried. I only wear it or its mate at private functions where I know that I will not cause a comotion or risk arrest.

The funny thing is that I regularly carry either a Leatherman multitool or a Kershaw folding knife clipped to my kilt belt. I would never go to work without one or the other.

The sgian dubh has a 3.5 inch fixed blade that has never been sharpened, while both my work knives have approx 3 inch blades that I keep razor sharp. Go figure.

[auld argonian]

I picked up a small folding Kershaw at WalMart for something like 8 or 9 bucks and it's been one of the best pocket knives that I've ever owned...and cheap in the bargain. One of the two reasons that I haven't bought a sghian yet is that I can't seem to find one thats a functional knife that can be sharpened and used safely...I probably should try to round up one of the Cold Steel ones that's been discontinued but that's stainless and not carbon steel as well. I see that the Atlanta Cutlery company has carbon steel blanks for sghian dhubs but that would entail my having to take up yet another hobby - knife making.

Incidentally, the other reason that I haven't picked one up (and will probably be very careful about where and when I wear it) is that I live in Chicago. Lot's of difference between having any kind of blade in plain sight in an urban environment than out in the country. One often avoids potential problems by maintaining a certain subtlety in these parts and having a shiv in yer sock might give the wrong idea to the odd weirdo. Not to mention baiting the inevitavble wise-*** cop or security guard to try to give you some heat in the name of "doing their duty to the fine citizens of Chicago"...of course this is a police force that has its own pipe band, so I hardly think they should be unfamiliar with kilts and the accompanying accoutrements. How do you mount one under the front apron neatly?

Best

AA

[Ruanaidh]

Not to mention baiting the inevitavble wise-*** cop or security guard to try to give you some heat in the name of "doing their duty to the fine citizens of Chicago"...of course this is a police force that has its own pipe band, so I hardly think they should be unfamiliar with kilts and the accompanying accoutrements.

I can't remember if I saw them here or on a different site, but they are worth another look!

[auld argonian]

yeah,,,pound for pound they're quite a pipe band.

Best

AA

ps: was at the Field Museum here in Chicago one afternoon...took the kiddies...it was "ethnic" week here and the Emerald Society showed up to show the barbarians what the pipes sound like. So imagine the quality of the sound in a huge arched hall full of taxidermied elephants and brachiosaurus skeletons and tribal totems raided from around the world during Victorian times...it really put a chill up the spine...fantastic!

AA

[kiltimabar]

One of the two reasons that I haven't bought a sghian yet is that I can't seem to find one thats a functional knife that can be sharpened and used safely...I probably should try to round up one of the Cold Steel ones that's been discontinued but that's stainless and not carbon steel as well. I see that the Atlanta Cutlery company has carbon steel blanks for sghian dhubs but that would entail my having to take up yet another hobby - knife making.

AA

Actually the Cold Steel Culloden models (there is a plain edge and a serrated version, and mini-Cullodens as well) are not stainless steel but their excellent Carbon V. If you actually want to cut something, they will do the job. You might be able to get one by prowling on Ebay.

[auld argonian]

Really? Whenever they list the min-Culloden on any websites it's refered to as being made of one of those stainless types with a number (like 440 or something)...if they are, indeed, made of carbon then I'll pursue one. I just think that a lot of folks think that stainless has some kind of advantage by being...well, stainless...they don't want a stained knife? Whatever.

Isn't that Culloden model the one that's priced like $300 or something...?

Best

AA

[Iolaus]

Really? Whenever they list the min-Culloden on any websites it's refered to as being made of one of those stainless types with a number (like 440 or something)...if they are, indeed, made of carbon then I'll pursue one. I just think that a lot of folks think that stainless has some kind of advantage by being...well, stainless...they don't want a stained knife? Whatever.

3.5 in. plain double edged, AUS 8A stainless steel. Black checkered Kraton handle. Overall length of 7.0 in. Includes Concealex sheath with neck strap.

Isn't that Culloden model the one that's priced like $300 or something...?

I beleive you're think of the Caledonian Edge.

For almost a decade, Cold Steel® offered a small, wicked looking, boot knife called the Culloden®. It was based on the traditional Scottish “Black Knife” or “Skean Dhu”, as it was more commonly referred to, in Gaelic, the ancient language of Scotland.

For the dawning years of this century, however, we have created an entirely new tactical folder, that takes some of its design cues from the ancient Skean Dhu.

Our new Caledonian Edge™ features a number of modern variations and refinements on its older predecessor...

It appears they discontinued the Culloden - MSRP: $64.99, and replaced it with a limited availabilty custom knife - MSRP: $349.99.

[Streetcar]

I picked up one of Cold Steel's Culloden knives a few years back. Since I took a plain-clothes assignment, it has become my daily companion. I had a simple leather sheath made for a traditional carry in the top of my sock, but while "on the job" the neck sheath hides nicely under my dress shirt. It's really a well made utility knife. If you can find one on ebay, snap it up!!