Are you complete without a Sgian Dubh?

**Highlander31** · 14th November 08, 04:16 AM

I carry a sgian when going to a formal venue. I do not when I am dressed casually. I will carry a pocket knife in my sporran, or if I am hiking in the hills, a field knife which is more practical than a sgian.

**thescot** · 13th November 08, 03:30 PM

I always wear a sgian dhu when kilted, and I always carry a pocket knife when panted. It's just a very handy, almost necesssary tool to have around.

And . . . to me, whether formal or casual, the sgian just looks right in the hose.

**Big Mikey** · 13th November 08, 03:30 PM

This is just one fat old mans opinion....................

It is not so much the blade that completes the look but the handle. I have rarely seen anyone in full dress that pulls their sgian. As suggested above a "sgian don't", a cross or other implement with a decorative handle would do just as nicely.

**McClef** · 13th November 08, 03:34 PM

When formally I would see it as de rigeur but I see it as more optional when casually dressed - sometimes I do and sometimes I don't

**Panache** · 13th November 08, 03:45 PM

I have two real sgian dubhs and three "sgian don'ts" (a bottle cap opener, a comb, and a blank).

I wear what is most appropriate in the given situation.

Cheers

Jamie

**gilmore** · 13th November 08, 03:53 PM

I would think it entirely appropriate for clergy not to wear sgian dubh, regardless of the occasion. Surely one's commitment to one's vows, as one understands them, supercede one's commitment to dressing fashionably.

When in doubt, ask one's sacerdotal superior.

**JRB** · 13th November 08, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

I would think it entirely appropriate for clergy not to wear sgian dubh, regardless of the occasion. Surely one's commitment to one's vows, as one understands them, supercede one's commitment to dressing fashionably.

When in doubt, ask one's sacerdotal superior.

I would tend to agree with you on that point. If ones religious vows were against wearing a sgian dubh that is certainly an appropriate reason to not wear one. However, my father was a pastor for over forty years in the American Baptist Church. He is now retired and ministers only on an as needed basis. Anyway, never in my entire life growing up with him did he mention that he couldn't or shouldn't use, wear or carry a blade. In fact, he gave me my first pocket knife when I was around 9 years old and I know he carries his own pocket knife. So, I would be willing to go so far as to say that there is no conflict between wearing a sgian dubh and being a pastor. Unless, of course, you belong to a non-Christian faith that prohibits it or your brand of Christianity specifically prohibits it. But the bottom line is...if you feel like you shouldn't wear a sgian dubh then don't.

**The Wizard of BC** · 13th November 08, 06:31 PM

I would caution anyone seeking advice about the "Proper", "Traditional" or "Correct" way or occasion for the Sgain Dubh or Dagger to remember that all this stuff was invented during the romance period. Roughly the 1800's.
It was court wear among the ex-Pat Scots who were dressing to impress each other. It has very little to do with what farmers in the NW of Scotland were actually wearing.

We have no real evidence of what Highlanders or anyone else wearing the Kilt would or would not have worn, or how.

Myth built upon myth is now passed about as fact.

The Military Units of the period were beginning to standardize uniforms during that same time and that is where we get many of the ideas of "Proper". But again, that is a Military Uniform and not what a common man wears.

The best advice anyone can give is pay attention more to the situation and not the "rules".

**JRB** · 13th November 08, 03:39 PM

I usually wear a sgian dubh when in formal attire (but not always). When dressing casually I wear a sgian dubh only on a rare occassion. If I'm not wearing one, however, I always have a folder in my sporran.