Sgian Dubh

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

I'm not a fan of sticking a sgian in my hose. Carrying a knife around here is frowned on even in formal situations, and getting a dummy seems pointless.

Are there other traditions for sticking something else there?

[BEEDEE]

Lots of us wear a sgain brew when a sgian dubh will not do.



Brian

[KFCarter]

Lots of us wear a sgain brew when a sgian dubh will not do.

Yep, and I've found my to be anything but pointless... comes in handy quite often. And the ones made by Rab Gordon are handsome enough to pass muster for a formal event (see link)

http://www.lochnessorigins.com/acata...ian_Dubhs.html

[Woodsheal]

If the folks thereabouts frown upon little tiny knives worn openly, perhaps a nail file would be appropriate...

[Bob C]

If the folks thereabouts frown upon little tiny knives worn openly, perhaps a nail file would be appropriate...

Or perhaps a small fish. Herring, maybe.

[Old Hippie]

Lots of us wear a sgain brew when a sgian dubh will not do.

One of the little semantic niggles that security types use to justify harrassing people is "knife or knife-like object." By which they mean, if someone could reasonably mistake it for a knife -- it looks like a knife handle, it's carried in a place one might expect a knife -- then it should be banished or regulated because some squeamish citizen may go into palpitations over it.

They get similarly exercised by switchblade combs and the BottleFly. That said, a good sgian brew is maybe more useful than a small knife. I can tear open a letter, but getting a beer open could be the difference between life and death.

[Kenneth]

Or perhaps a small fish. Herring, maybe.

Now what do you suppose that would be used for?

[tulloch]

Dummy sgian = pointless. Yes! That is it exactly. Maybe keep your pen there? Oh, that has a point. Maybe your keys? Cell phone? In civilized urban settings probably is not appropriate as it once was. In the hills maybe. But here in 2009 in Massachusetts I would even be unlikely to wear it at a highland games. I keep a tiny folding knife in my sporran for my nails and the odd assassination.

[David Thornton]

I have worn mine many times in Cincy, and in Columbus, as have others here. Must be a particular crowd that objects. Wear what you like. I am thinking about the bottle opener for BBQ's & outdoor parties, just seems functional and will be a great surprise for guests
\
David

[Nighthawk]

Being something of a traditionalist, I insist on wearing my sgain dubh to anything semiformal or formal, and a daywear one for anything like highland games, camping, fishing... anywhere a knife may be useful. Anyone who has a problem with it needs to quit crying and grow a backbone. Just my 2 cents worth... (Sorry if this seems extremist of me, but my feeling is- if you don't like them, then don't wear them, but don't tell me that I can't. See my signature!)