sgian dubh skills

**gazbot** · 18th February 10, 04:04 PM

Has any body ever tried le saberage (opening champagne with a sword or blade) with a standard sgian dubh. If yes is it worth trying.

Slanja

Gareth

**CDNSushi** · 18th February 10, 05:07 PM

I don't see why you couldn't do it, although I can probably give you a number of good reasons why you shouldn't.

I've seen more than a fair share of Internet FAIL videos where people break the bottle because they have no clue what they are doing.

Truth be told, most of the champagne I've ever opened, the cork comes out TOO easily. Hold the bottle upright and steady, (don't shake, unless you've just won the Tour de France), remove the wire protector if you haven't, and give the cork a slight twist (about 1/16 of a turn). Aim. Fire.

Of course any blunt or sharp force to the bottom of the overhanging cork will achieve the same purpose. It really doesn't take much at all. But my concern would be that the sgian has a very short blade and a) you might hurt yourself and b) it might look pretty goofy and awkward.

**piperdbh** · 18th February 10, 05:12 PM

I would think that a sgian blade might break if it struck the lip of the bottle, right under the cork. It's far easier to follow CDNSushi's advice, with the addition of holding a tea towel over the cork as you open the bottle catch any spills or flying corks.

**Ancienne Alliance** · 18th February 10, 05:15 PM

In a real sabrage, the idea is to actually break the top of the bottle itself. The pressure of the liquid gets rid of the glass debris (and a third of the contents). Very spectacular bot not really thrifty...

The word sabrage comes from sabre. You need quite a heavy blade for the operation. It would work better with a dirk.

Best,

Robert

**bigdad1** · 18th February 10, 05:28 PM

It seems an extremely stupid way to open champagne and is a terrible way to treat a blade. The cork is meant to be removed slowly so as not to lose your bubbly. If I caught anyone using one on my blades to chop the top off a bottle of anything there would be hell to pay. If the purpose is to impress a lady then buy a more expensive bottle of champagne. And if it takes actions such as that to impress her then she isn't the lady you need. IMHO

**Chas** · 18th February 10, 05:44 PM

I would go as far as saying that it is not possible to achieve with a sgian dubh; there just isn't enough weight.

Oh yes. Welcome to XMarks, gazbot. Why not go over to the Newbie forum and introduce yourself?

Regards

Chas

**macwilkin** · 18th February 10, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

It seems an extremely stupid way to open champagne and is a terrible way to treat a blade. The cork is meant to be removed slowly so as not to lose your bubbly. If I caught anyone using one on my blades to chop the top off a bottle of anything there would be hell to pay. If the purpose is to impress a lady then buy a more expensive bottle of champagne. And if it takes actions such as that to impress her then she isn't the lady you need. IMHO

I would agree (though not as strongly-worded as above) that perhaps the tradition isn't the best way to open a bottle or treat a blade, but the tradition behind it -- legend says it comes from the Hussars of Napoleon's Grand Armee, who would open bottles with their sabres -- certainly is a great story, if nothing else.

"Champagne! In victory one deserves it; in defeat one needs it."
-- Napoleon

T.

**Smayniac** · 18th February 10, 07:06 PM

I was taught that it was proper to open champagne by holding the cork and turning the bottle. It's always worked for me. It may not be spectacular, but the wine stays in the bottle.

I just noticed that this post potentially conflicts with my signature, oh well...

Bob

**Manitoban Keith** · 19th February 10, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

It seems an extremely stupid way to open champagne and is a terrible way to treat a blade. The cork is meant to be removed slowly so as not to lose your bubbly. If I caught anyone using one on my blades to chop the top off a bottle of anything there would be hell to pay. If the purpose is to impress a lady then buy a more expensive bottle of champagne. And if it takes actions such as that to impress her then she isn't the lady you need. IMHO

could not have said it better

! ding a blade, spill your wine, no good!

**Arlen** · 18th February 10, 05:58 PM

Having done it quite a few times I can tell you that a sgian wouldn't be up to it and would damage the edge of the blade. (Sabres tend to have a bottom section of the blade which is flat and blunt and perfect for this sort of thing as well as the flat non-cutting side.)
If you can get your hands on something similar to a champagne sword that might work, but it needs to be heavy and solid.
If it were me and I had no sabre to use, I'd simply impress those around me by carefully opening the bottle and reminding them that a good champagne should be opened gently and make a sound like the sigh of a happy person.

P.S. Here's a video that demonstrates the correct way to do it for those interested parties.

The gentleman doing it is from a Highland regiment and using an issues sword so it shouldn't contravene any Xmarks weaponry rules.