How much sgian to show?

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 30th November 10, 05:26 AM

Seriously, though, I tend to wear my sgian dubh so that there is just enough of the handle showing to enable to me grip it effectively. I advise people not to wear the entire handle out of the hose as that can both be uncomfortable and also make it easy to lose one's sgian!

Though the type of hose worn does have some impact on this. I noticed looking back through photos that, for example, I show much less of the sgian when I'm wearing castellated hose vs. fold down cuffs.

**Riverkilt** · 30th November 10, 07:21 AM

I don't much think about it - just stick the sgian dubh in to where it feels right. You asked for pics, here's a couple.

Biggest hassle for me is replacing the blade if I've had occasion to use it for something like opening a package or slicing an apple. Really tough to find the sheath again buried down in the kilt hose. But seldom actually use the sgian dubh.

**NewEnglander** · 30th November 10, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I don't much think about it - just stick the sgian dubh in to where it feels right. You asked for pics, here's a couple.

I like those garter ties, Ron. Do you recall where you picked them up?

**druid** · 4th January 11, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

I don't much think about it - just stick the sgian dubh in to where it feels right. You asked for pics, here's a couple.

WHERE did you get that little KA-BAR????????!!!!!!!!?

**Riverkilt** · 30th November 10, 07:47 AM

Thanks...umm, its kind of touchy. They were hand made by a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant who is currently banned from this forum. The ties were a gift. I believe he knitted them on one of those plastic forms for making things like this. A DIY deal.

Such is the power of kilt addiction that a Master Gunnery Sergeant would be hand weaving garter ties....cracks me up actually.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 30th November 10, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Thanks...umm, its kind of touchy. They were hand made by a retired Master Gunnery Sergeant who is currently banned from this forum. The ties were a gift. I believe he wove them on one of those plastic forms for making things like this. A DIY deal.

Such is the power of kilt addiction that a Master Gunnery Sergeant would be hand weaving garter ties....cracks me up actually.

Those are actually knit, not woven (a point of semantics, but as someone who lives with those who both knit and weave, it's an important difference).

You don't even have to know how to hand knit to make them. Looks like they were made using a basic knitting machine which you can pick up for relatively little cash at most craft and hobby stores. A quick google search found one at Target for only $19.95.

**NewEnglander** · 30th November 10, 08:15 AM

Ah. I've been considering knitting some garter ties myself.

And to get my own thread back on topic, I did try wearing my sgian a bit higher the other day and it was much more comfortable. I actually had more trouble getting it OUT of the sheath than IN, but that's probably a sign that I won't be losing it easily.

I'm finally attending my first kilt night (well, afternoon) this weekend and I'm not sure if I want to wear the knife out. I won't have much reason to use it and I can always just toss a small folding pocket knife in my sporran.

**Riverkilt** · 30th November 10, 11:27 AM

Thanks, fixed it. Figured knitting was with needles and wrapping around pegs was weaving....at least in a sense... but for sure a difference between back and forth and up and down - and in and out.