Sgian Dubh or just a good ol' knife?

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Here is the question to ask. What are you going to be using your sgian dubh for?

For me, I use mine mostly for cutting open box tops, and the inexpensive stainless steel blades that you find on most commercially available sgians dubh are just fine for that.

If I were going to be skinning an animial with one, then I would of course want something a little better suited for that task.

I find that most people who wear a sgian dubh with their kilt use it for nothing other than decoration. And really, in this case, all that will be visible is the top couple of inches of the handle.

So, the question to ask is how much money do you want to spend on a quality blade that you will probably never use? Or would you rather spend that money on some other part of your outfit? They even make sgians dubh that have no blade at all -- the grip and the sheath are one peice.

That being said, I do know some men for whom it is a matter of principle that if they are going to carry a knife it must be a quality knife, so that they could use it to cut through anything should they ever need to. If this is you, shop around.

The best sgians dubh I have seen were not in any Scottish catalog, but being offered by individual blacksmiths at festivals and games (like the ones that Doc showed us). And you pay for the quality.

The disadvantage to just getting a small knife to wear that was not made specificaly as a sgian dubh is that the sgians dubh are typically made with a flat back to fit comfortably against the side of your leg when worn. You won't always find this with a non-sgian dubh knife.

Aye,
Matt

P.S. -- I've worn a sgian dubh in NC and just about every state in the southeast for 8 years at least, in just about every kind of location, including schools, and never had an issue with it. To most people, when they see a man in a kilt wearing a sgian dubh, it's considered part of the outfit, not a weapon. Now I might not try it at the airport, but...

[Phil Wright]

As the sghian dubh was supposed to be a 'black knife' some of the nicest ones I have seen are the simplest bog-oak handled; not fancy or highly decorated. I know a lot of the modern variations can run from dummy plastic ones to very fine pieces of work, so I guess it comes down to the purity of the intention. Whilst I would love a really simple, clean cut bog-oak handle I've had to settle for the cheaper, decorated version. It doesn't feel as authentic - but then as you've mentioned with the licensing laws, the chances of the handle staying intact for anything other than opening the post are extremely remote so it should be fairly safe
Phil

[caig]

I have 2 sgian dubhs, one is stag-handled and has a real blade, the other is wooden-handled and has a metal but ceremonial blade. I only ever wear the "real" one because I like to be adventurous and wear a real knife justifiably, although I have used it as a knife for mundane things like sharpening a pencil etc. I rarely wear it in England except for indoor events such as dancing, because I doubt that the English police would be too understanding.

[Hamish]

I wear a Sgian Dubh only when formally dressed in either Day or Evening styles. By "formally" I mean, with all the accessories. Even then it will be my 'faux' Sgian Dubh - the one with the normal, decorative handle, but with no blade; only a length of flat plastic that goes down inside the hose top.

Long before 9/11, I flew from Aberdeen to London and, as I passed through Security, my real Sgian Dubh was confiscated because, on being measured, the blade was declared to be 3/4" too long ..... it was an offensive weapon!!

I have to say that I have only ever worn that part of 'the outfit' for decorative purposes. In all my life I do not recall ever having the need for a knife when out of the kitchen, dining room, office or garage workshop. As a young lad, like all young lads I had a penknife but I do not recall using it for anything other than sharpening a pencil ..... and we had/have pencil sharpeners to do that!

Plainly, I have no need to carry a knife, which could become a weapon, and so I don't - ever.

[al' Sporrano]

I doubt that the English police would be too understanding.

Knowing the reputation of Cleveland Police I can understand where you're coming from, Alan.

Speaking for myself, if I saw you in your kilt whilst on duty, I would engage you in enthusiastic conversation and not worry too much what you might have down your sock!

Al

Northumbria rules!

[macwilkin]

Northumbria rules!

My Wilkinson ancestors would certainly agree, Al! :mrgreen:

I especially like the Northumbrian flag! Need to get one for my office!

Apologies for hijacking the thread!

Cheers,

Todd

[al' Sporrano]

Northumbria rules!

My Wilkinson ancestors would certainly agree, Al! :mrgreen:

I especially like the Northumbrian flag! Need to get one for my office!

Apologies for hijacking the thread!

Cheers,

Todd

Hi Todd,

All Northeasterners are from good strong breeding stock. There's a touch of the Nordic about us and we are officially celtic as well. We even have our own tartan, but you need a pair of sunglasses to look at it....a black and white, very fine, check!!

I've seen a kilt made up of it....and several Newcastle United football fans have them.

The flag is excellent, hope you succeed in your quest.

Al

[macwilkin]

We even have our own tartan, but you need a pair of sunglasses to look at it....a black and white, very fine, check!!

I've seen a kilt made up of it....and several Newcastle United football fans have them.

One of my best friends is a Shepherd (surname, not profession), and the Northumbrian tartan is also known as the Shepherd's Check. He has a scarf in it that is quite nice, although I can't talk him into a kilt! <grin>

http://www.northumberlandtartan.co.uk/history.html

And for those who are curious, here is the Northumberland flag:

http://www.northumberland.gov.uk/vg/flag.html

(This place sells them!)

Cheers,

Todd