Sgian Dubh question

[The Vicar]

I personally do not ever wear one because of my faith.

Not saying that is putting a judgement on anyone else here but that is just my choice and I am fine with it. I wouldn't call myself a Scot or a follower of the rules when it comes to highland dress either. I do my own thing.

In my clergy tartan and clergy collar, I see no need for it and I can get into any place and never worry about it. A well made Sgain is also a lot money that I do not have either.

I do have a pen knife on my key chain so that comes in handy at times.

Whatever you decide is the right decision for yourself. : )

Robert "V"

[Dale Seago]

I personally do not ever wear one because of my faith.

. . .I do have a pen knife on my key chain so that comes in handy at times.

Since both are simply "utility blades"**, I don't understand why from a religious or moral standpoint you would consider one appropriate, and the other not.

I'm absolutely NOT trying to get into a religious discussion and I totally respect your right to do as you like for whatever reasons seem good to you. I'm just looking for clarification.






**Well, okay, the sgian dubh was originally a skinning and utility knife, but nowadays is for most a non-functional piece of mere "masculine bling"; so perhaps I just answered my own question: Something regarding the sin of Pride and the display of ostentatious frippery, perhaps?

[Bigkahuna]

I am frequently in NYC Kilted and I always wear my Sgian Dubh. I have never had a problem either with LEOs or civilians.

[Dale Seago]

Just to clarify, LEOs in this context are not those born under the astrological sign of the Lion but Law Enforcement Officers.

[mayberry]

As I understand it, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits the importation and ownership of certain classes of knives, including switchblades, butterfly knives, belt-buckle knives, and push daggers, among others. Other than that, it merely prohibits the carrying of a concealed weapon, with no further definition by length of blade as there is in many other jurisdictions. This means that if you are found to be carrying a knife in your pocket or backpack, the officer will use his or her judgement as to whether you are carrying a weapon, or a tool. And of course, if charged, a good line of defence would be that you need it for work, etc.. I know someone who was stopped by the police for some other reason, and turned out his pockets to reveal a large rigging knife. The officer accepted that it was for work, and nothing more was said about it.

I also understand that a sgian in the hose would not be considered concealed.

Having said all that, I decided that having one person on the subway late at night say, in a loud voice, "Hey! Is that a KNIFE in your sock? That's so COOL! Can I see it?" was enough to make me decide not to wear one on the subway.

[CDNSushi]

Discretion and good judgment are the keys to a happy and stress-free life. Although the laws of the land may permit me certain liberties, such as carrying a sgian dubh, it doesn't necessarily make it a good idea to do so under certain circumstances. I've learned that exercising one's rights and freedoms is sometimes better eschewed in favour of keeping the peace and being better off for it.

In Japan, a sgian very much falls into grey areas in the law, but if some cop were to stop me with one, it could get ugly. Especially if he's one of the xenophobic, power-tripping s.o.b.s that you read about in the local papers... And even though I might ultimately win the battle, he still has the power to make my day MISERABLE... You got to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

In another country, for instance back in Canada, I would still be cautious with having one.

I would NOT wear one around children, especially young ones. (And therefore by logical extension, I would never wear one into a school).

I would NOT wear one where alcohol is involved. Too much can go awry and turn a pleasant night out with friends into a tragedy.

I would NOT wear one where I felt that it may cause me to become the centre of negative attention, whether by law enforcement, or by people who cannot understand or appreciate that it's not a weapon. (Like at a state fair).

I would NOT wear one where it could get lost, stolen, or damaged. (I save that privilege for my kilt pins... )

In fact, come to think of it, there are only very few events where I would actually consider wearing one...

I WOULD wear one to a Highland event (Highland games, etc)

I WOULD wear one to a ceremony or formal event.

I WOULD wear one to a Burns supper.

However, having said all that, I can't think of a single instance that would actually necessitate me having one, aside from the Burns supper... In all the others, a fake one or a Sgian Brew would be more than sufficient.

Please do note, however, my use of first person pronouns... Meaning, that I don't care where YOU wear or don't wear a sgian, nor am I interested in legislating where YOU should wear one... I'm merely saying that I have little need for one, as much as I LOVE knives and carry at the bare minimum, a Swiss army knife everywhere I go, always...

[Mule]

Ah, finally something I can relate to...
This is something of a mindset that needs to be addressed by each wearer IMO. I agree with Dale S. on his points.

My personal feelings;
Knives are a tool, what you do with it is up to you. I carry a spring assisted lock blade pocket knife every day. I use it multiple times a day and do feel naked with out it in place. It clips to the pocket so it is visible, is under the CO law's 3.5" requirement and is razor sharp. If I were wearing a kilt with hose, I would have to carry it in my sporran. I do consider it a close range weapon should I have a need for it. In fact, a knife attack is the only thing I really fear (other than shotgun). I too am trained in self defense (Krav Maga) and have other higher force tools.
I have a personal belief that any knife is a weapon and should be looked at as one. If it's visible in public - as should be, criminals (Coyotes), mindless sheep and general public sheep will most likely see it the same way. I treat every day as a possible situation day, which is not a bad thing these days. So, decorations that give the illusion of real tools are not wise to me. When I carry my Sgain Dubh, it is a weapon and will be treated as such. I believe a person needs to be aware of this mentally and be OK with that feeling. Such as someone carrying for the first time at level 0 with a concealed pistol. It is the same thing in my mind! I have seen training videos of people dying in less than 3 minutes from a 3" knife stab in the neck. But I digress, sorry...
Bottom line, if it's legal in your state, town ect, I say carry it for the tool it is and be aware of it and people around you. MacMillan's son couldn't have said it much better. And if you plan to partake of some good Whiskey, leave it at home or locked in your friend's car like any other weapon. Judges, alcohol and weapons don't mix.

[CDNSushi]

I treat every day as a possible situation day, which is not a bad thing these days.

Such as someone carrying for the first time at level 0 with a concealed pistol. It is the same thing in my mind! I have seen training videos of people dying in less than 3 minutes from a 3" knife stab in the neck.

Err.... Wow! Didn't think that the U.S. was such a dangerous country yet, where you wake up every morning in fear of getting stabbed or shot!

[Tobus]

Err.... Wow! Didn't think that the U.S. was such a dangerous country yet, where you wake up every morning in fear of getting stabbed or shot!

Surely you are aware that the entire country is not homogenous? In some places, people never have to worry about such things. In others, it is an everyday concern. Depends on where you live, what areas you need to travel through or work in, etc.

And crime can happen anywhere, at any time, regardless of where you are. Some of us carry deadly weapons (legally, and with state permits) all the time because they are tools just like anything else. I carry a spare tire, jack, and lugnut wrench in my vehicle, even though I don't anticipate getting a flat tire. But if it happens, I have the tools to handle it. I also have a fire extinguisher in my home. Not because I expect my house to catch on fire on any given day, but because if it happens, I'll be prepared.

An article of defense is no different. The only difference is in your mind. People spring to the idea that one is "paranoid" or "fearful" if they carry a simple tool for defense. And that is not so. If you choose not to (or are unable to legally) carry such a tool, that's fine. It's your choice. But there's no reason to be melodramatic about those who do, as I feel you were doing in your post.

To those of us who do carry real tools of defense, a sgian dubh is no big deal. I'm always a bit surprised that people make it such a big deal, as if carrying a tiny blade in one's sock is akin to walking around with a weapon of mass destruction.

*edited to add:

As usual, I have re-read my post and found that it seems more belligerent than I intended. Hope you don't think I'm trying to start a heated argument; I'm not. I was just trying to point out that carrying a weapon has nothing to do with being fearful of being stabbed or shot on a daily basis. For me, I'm actually more likely to use my defensive weapons to humanely kill a deer after hitting it with my car than for actual defense, since I seem to hit a lot of deer on the highway every year.

Also, I don't want to hijack the thread into a discussion of concealed weapons or self-defense. I hope it doesn't go that direction. But a sgian dubh is really nothing to be concerned about for a lot of folks. I've never had anyone be taken aback at it, nor have I ever felt it should be left at home when I'm going to be around children or anything. I guess I just live in a different environment than some folks do, where a wee knife doesn't cause any alarm.

[CDNSushi]

But there's no reason to be melodramatic about those who do, as I feel you were doing in your post.

Me? Melodramatic? By pointing out Mule's comments concerning getting stabbed and shot? Really?

To you it may seem pretty normal, but the image that America is a very violent country is exceedingly common here in Japan. I don't necessarily believe that, and no, I personally do NOT think the U.S. is homogenous, but that's tough to explain around these parts. That's why, when Mule expressed his sentiments so strongly and explicitly, I reacted.

You'd be shocked to know how many of my students have expressed that they don't ever want to go to visit the U.S. because they believe it's "too dangerous." (Again, not MY words)... I try to tell them that I've traveled all over the U.S. and that it's more or less a safe enough place... But for many, it's still a tough sell.

As Robbie Burns once said: O wad some Power the giftie gie us to see oursels as ithers see us!