Sgian solution - A Review

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The problem in the States is its illegal, unless you have a concealed weapons permit ( if the blade is over 3 inches, if I'm wrong someone please clarify)

There is no nation wide prohibition on the wearing or carrying of knives in the United States. Those states in which legislation has been enacted generally restrict carrying in "public places", and are purposefully vague as to what may, or may not be carried, or transported, through "public places". The intent of these laws is to allow the police to detain or arrest individuals who are in breech of the peace, if they are found to have on their person a "knife or other such tool" (like a sharpened screwdriver) which could be used for offensive purposes.

Generally speaking, if you park your car in a public car park, get out, walk to a hotel (or church, etc.) to attend a "Scottish function" (a tartan ball or a wedding, etc.) the cops are not going to bother you.

The question of concealment would only arise if the sgian dubh was hidden from plain sight (ie: in a pocket or sporran). If visible when the wearer is viewed from the front or back, then the sgian dubh is not concealed (this is the same standard applied to handguns in virtually all jurisdictions where a permit is required for concealed carry).

Those who carry knives with clips, and who clip them to the inside of the apron of their kilt, are concealing the knife and my be in violation of local ordinance and subject to being detained or arrested. The same holds true for "Buck knives" carried in a holster or pouch worn on the belt in many jurisdictions.

What it comes down to is this: If you are peacefully going about your lawful activities, the police will probably not give you a second glance.

All of the above refers to the "traditional" sgian dubh, not the fantasy knives some folks stick down their socks in a display of macho nonsense. It also refers to someone who is more or less "traditionally attired" in a kilt.

If you are dressed in 18 hole Docs and a black quasi-kilt, and showing any "attituded" (and it's the cops who determine if you are showing attitude, not you) then you can possibly expect to be hassled over your sgian dubh, especially if you are in a public place (pub, rock concert, etc.) -- consider it part of the price you pay to display your "counter culturalism" in mainstream society.

[Panache]

Folks,

The chief reason that sgian dubh and sgian don't Threads on XMTS get pulled or closed is that they turn into discussions about concealed weapons and the legality of blades / blade lengths in regards to the law.

In the interests of keeping this (and other sgian dubh / sgian don'ts threads) open may I suggest the following:

IF A KILTIE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF CARRYING A SGIAN DUBH IN HIS OR HER PART OF THE WORLD THEY SHOULD CHECK THE RELEVENT LAWS AND ORDINANANCES PERTAINING TO KNIVES IN THEIR AREA!

OK?

Now Behave!



ith:

Cheers

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Exactly!

[English Bloke]

... I think I understand his desire to live by his belief that all edged weapons should be banned in urban England, but I wonder at a universal UK ban that includes those parts of these isles where the carrying of such weapons of destruction is traditional -- and peaceful...

I didn't say that. I don't think sgians should be banned. I don't have a problem with real sgians or with anyone who carries one in a non offensive, legitimate way. I do have a problem with the current wave of knife-crime that is killing teenagers and devastating families the length and breadth of the UK. I don't think a ban on sgians will solve the issue however I chose not to carry a blade myself. I said it was MY thing.

This blank allows me to dress in a traditional way without compromising my belief. You can argue that it is a sharpened stick. With respect, I'm sure I could find sharper sticks in the street but I can't shove those down my sock.

Not having a go by the way, just attempting to clarify my position...

[ThistleDown]

I didn't say that. I don't think sgians should be banned. I don't have a problem with real sgians or with anyone who carries one in a non offensive, legitimate way. I do have a problem with the current wave of knife-crime that is killing teenagers and devastating families the length and breadth of the UK. I don't think a ban on sgians will solve the issue however I chose not to carry a blade myself. I said it was MY thing.

This blank allows me to dress in a traditional way without compromising my belief. You can argue that it is a sharpened stick. With respect, I'm sure I could find sharper sticks in the street but I can't shove those down my sock.

Not having a go by the way, just attempting to clarify my position...

Sorry, EB, I mis-read and misunderstood your position. This may not be the forum for this discussion in any case, as Jamie pointed out, but I was just wondering how Scots and Canadians would feel IF the real sgian dubh were to be proscribed in either of those two places. There are already restrictions on the length, of course.

[English Bloke]

ThistleDown. No need to apologise. It IS a nice bit of oak though isn't it?

[ThistleDown]

ThistleDown. No need to apologise. It IS a nice bit of oak though isn't it?

Oh my, yes. It cries out to be touched.

[English Bloke]

Oh my, yes. It cries out to be touched.

You Sir, are a very nice man!

[O'Callaghan]

I have witnessed problems with knife crime in Scotland. Granted I am talking about a long time ago, and not in the highlands. My Scottish cousins moved away from the Glasgow area for this reason, and also for work reasons I admit.

Mind you, banning knives made little difference, as they turned to broken beer bottles and hidden razor blades. This didn't just occur in the Gorbals, but also in Bearsden, which is the posh area, and in bars rather than on the streets. Nice bars as well, not just dives. More than once I've encountered a former Glaswegian who wore a fringe (bangs) to hide a scar. That's why they had left the place.

My cousins found that Aberdeen was more collegial, as you didn't have to worry about being stabbed when you went out for a drink with friends. The whole extended family moved to Aberdeen en masse, including both grown up sons, only one of whom still lived at home.

AFAIK Glasgow is an isolated blackspot, and even there people tell me it has improved, but I have trouble believing it. It was so bad that I have difficulty believing that the leopard could change it's spots, so to speak.

Doubtless some Glaswegian will post to defend their city. That's what always happens when I raise the subject. Perhaps it isn't as bad now, but it was truly awful. Bad enough that I have no plans to ever go back there, now that my family have all left.

[Rab Gordon]

It's really nice to see the nice Sgian Dont's that have been made.

Sad reflection on our society that we're discussing where and when responsible adults can carry sharp things !
Maybe one day our rulers will realise the problem instead is the violent attitudes and behaviour prevalent in our society.

Rab