Sgian Dubh substitutes.

[staticsan]

After a recent post I made, I got to re-thinking something that happened to me recently. After going to work kilted in a Union Kilt (love the pockets!), I had two separate people ask me where my sporran and sgian dubh were? For a more traditional kilt, a sporran is essential. But a sgian dubh not so. Unless it was something actually useful.

I don't need a knife in my sock and there are questions about legality and safety, anyway, especially on public transport. But when I carry a pen, I tend to put it in my sock, right where the sgian dubh would go. Now I've had a bit of a look and kilt-makers sell plenty of actual sgian dubhs, but I couldn't find anything that looked passably like one, but was actually something else (like a pen!). Maybe there's a market to be had there? I'd buy one I could put my pen in. What else would you put in one?

Wade.

[puddlemuddle]

I've seen ones that had the traditional handle of a sgian dubh, but was actually a bottle opener!
Chad

[SteveB]

Run a search on Sgian brews. This has come up in the past. I have whittled a chunk of wood to resemble the handle of a sgian dubh, and left the rest as flat stock for inside the hose.

[Tartan Hiker]

And don't forget the flash-drive disguised as a sgian. I can also envision a pseudo-sgian that holds a pen/pencil/flash drive combo.

[staticsan]

And don't forget the flash-drive disguised as a sgian. I can also envision a pseudo-sgian that holds a pen/pencil/flash drive combo.

Hey - I nearly mentioned that idea! A faux sgian dubh with inbuilt flash drive and pen holder... wow. I'd buy one!

Wade

[Bugbear]

I'm trying to figure out a way to make an actual sgian-dubh-like knife with a hollo handle that will hold a flash drive., or what ever might fit in there.

I'm not sure why I'm trying to do that, but it seemed like a good idea when I starded.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Another name for the bottle opener is a Sgian Don't. Only the imagination is the limit here. Have fun at it. I agree that the knife can be an unwise choice in certain circumstances.

[David Dubh]

I've heard of tatoos on soldiers I beleive it was where the sgian dubh would sit usually the regimental crest like the Gordon Highlanders. I like the idea of the sgian usb or torch(flashlight), corkscrew or bottle opener would do great also.

[English Bloke]

When I was ummin' an' arrin' on this very subject, I did consider the sgian house key. I'm sure that would come in handy after a night out!

[xena]

Ah, what you may have heard of is this:

From Robert MacDonald's webpage Clickety Click:

"In most regiments, the use of the sgean dubh is restricted to pipers, serjeants and officers. This has been circumvented by the ever-resourceful ‘jocks’ with the introduction of the ‘Regimental tattoo’.

In the Seaforth’s, this takes the form of the Regimental badge tattooed on the right calf and placed so that the top portion is visible above the stocking. The Coronet and Cypher look somewhat like a sgean dubh with the advantage that airport security doesn’t pitch a blue fit about it!"

See the pics on the web page. Fine lookin' tattoos if I say so myself.