Sharpen a Sgian Dubh?

[gordontaos]

I always carry a sharp Leatherman in a belt holster whenever i am wearing p*nts. Why would I not carry a sharp sgian dubh when i am kilted?

[zjrog]

Like gordontaos, I too wear a Leatherman tool, sharpened, on my belt. Have worn it with my utility kilts on the belt as well, but its not so "aesthetic" in appearances. And in the pockets it weighs a bit heavier than I like in a pocket... I'm planning to "modify" and refine the shape of an inexpensive "dive knife" I bought a lifetime ago, and use some paracord for the handle. Whether the stainless the blade is made from will take or hold an edge or not, I believe it can be made sharp enough to get the "point" across regardless.

[Kiltedbiker]

I agree with the majority, A dull knife is naught but a very short club !

[Sharkman]

It's a knife and deserves to be treated like one, in my opinion. Sharpen it.

[Katia]

In short: add me to the "yes" camp. The only reason mine's not very sharp is 'cause it's a cheapie knife and the blade simply started going to bits when I tried to sharpen it (I figure if I ever need to use it, I could still stab someone).

(My mum, who is often my Games-going companion as she likes to watch my dance competitions, keeps asking me if it is "legal" for me to wear my sgian dubh.)

[Destin_scot]

Katia,

The legality of carrying a sgian dubh, will depend on where you are. In Florida, a sgian dubh in your sock, (standard way to carry one), is the same as carrying a boot knife, which requires a concealed weapons carry permit; this question was specifically asked of a concealed carry permit instructor (who is also a criminal justice instructor at the local college). So the answer is, check your local laws about carrying knives, and remember that a sgian dubh will likely be treated as if it were a boot knife.

[Katia]

I'm not that worried about it (which is code for "I really don't care"). My mom is an uber-worrywart (she really, really, REALLY is). I carry a pocket knife as well. Neither are probably legal for me to carry at work, but it's not like my coworkers are going to rat me out.

As far as I've understood, I'm within the legal blade limit (I think. I've not measured). But it also technically hinges on "intent," so conceivably I could go around looking like Crocodile Dundee and as long as I didn't have any plans to commit dirty deeds (dirt-cheap or otherwise) I'd be good to go. Anyway, it's unlikely anybody's going to stop someone who looks like a high school choir girl, in a "plaid skirt," and ask about the sgian dubh (if they even notice I have it, and if they know what it is), and they're certainly not going to think I'm walking around looking to knife anybody. Hell, even if I were, they wouldn't think so.

There was some flap in my state a long time ago about some kid who went to his Prom in full highland dress, and caught hell for his sgian dubh.

[BBNC]

This weekend I sent an e-mail to the North Carolina Attorney General's office, to clarify our concealed weapons law, and how it might apply to Sgian Dubhs. Be interesting to see their response. My thinking is this: since the handle is plainly visible, much like an open-carry handgun in a holster, it's not really concealed. We'll see...

[sdc]

A dull knife is like a flat tire; not good for much.

[unixken]

A dull knife is like a flat tire; not good for much.

But it's only flat on the bottom...