Sgian Dubhs and Dirks

[mrpharr]

Which side to you wear the Sgian Dubh and how much should be sticking out above the hose?
Does a Dirk have to be worn and where do you wear it?

[clancelt]

Which side to you wear the Sgian Dubh and how much should be sticking out above the hose?
Does a Dirk have to be worn and where do you wear it?

As for sticking out, sheath should be covered with just the handle sticking out. It's only there for people to see, as among friends. It was typically a covert weapon, so you would display it to show that you were among friends and had nothing to hide.

I was always taught that the Sqian Dubh was an off hand weapon, thus it would go in your off hand hose, for me my left leg to be drawn with my left hand. The Dirk would be your primary weapon. Now the Dirk would be checked at the door of your host's house.

Should you be out of doors, your sgian dubh would most likely be in your sleave or hidden on your person someplace. Dirk would be pulled with your strong hand and your black knife with your off hand if need be.

So, long story short..... it doesn't matter ;)

[Tartan Hiker]

So, long story short..... it doesn't matter ;)

Well, if you plan on using them it may matter. If you draw it with the knurled blade on the wrong side your thumb gets sliced, so be sure to take this into consideration. Most folks will put it in the strong side hose, with the thumb knurls facing forward so the knurled side of the blade falls naturally under your thumb. I don't know many right-handed guys who keep their pocket knife in their left pocket.

Because most dirks come grudgingly from the sheath, you'd want that on your weak side so that you cross-draw with your strong hand, holding the sheath with your weak hand.

So for a right hander the dirk hangs on the left side and the sgian is in the right hose top.

Of course that assumes you actually may need to quick-draw these weapons. Hopefully you don't frequent establishments where this may be necessary!

[clancelt]

Because most dirks come grudgingly from the sheath, you'd want that on your weak side so that you cross-draw with your strong hand, holding the sheath with your weak hand.

So for a right hander the dirk hangs on the left side and the sgian is in the right hose top.

Well, if you are thinking of your sgian Dubh as a pocket knife by all means keep it on your strong side. But as a weapon it is a different story. Worst mistake a knife fighter can make when he has multiple blades at hand is to limit them to only their strong hands reach.

In your above case, you draw your dirk. Swing at the other man who then slashes your forearm, back of hand, grabs arm, pick one..... Or you cut him, get blood all over your hand(Slick as oil till it dries) and lose your knife.

You now have to either cross your body with your weak hand and fiddle with your small knife(if it's in your hose), or pull it with a slick bloody hand.

Thus the reason for keeping it close to your weak hand.

Of course, what are the chances of a knife fight breaking out in full dress? :rolleyes:

Back to my point, it's more for show so it doesn't matter much

[Caradoc]

As for sticking out, sheath should be covered with just the handle sticking out. It's only there for people to see, as among friends. It was typically a covert weapon, so you would display it to show that you were among friends and had nothing to hide.

1) If the whole handle is sticking out, there's too much sticking out. There should be just enough handle that you can grab it with thumb and forefinger, then slide the thumb up to the jimping - with the "strong" hand. The sgian dubh is not an "off-hand" weapon, which brings us to...

2) The sgian dubh is more a "utility" knife than a weapon. If you're really needing weapons, the broadsword in the strong hand with a targe on the off arm and the dirk in the off hand is more likely. If you're pulling a sgian dubh to use the darned thing (and there are very few sgians for sale that are actually made from usable steel these days!) then you're going to generally use it in the strong hand anyway.

[Tartan Hiker]

Wow, remind me to never get into a knife fight with clancelt!

Of course, what are the chances of a knife fight breaking out in full dress? :rolleyes:

Back to my point, it's more for show so it doesn't matter much

In that case, I agree with you. Really. I do.

[clancelt]

Wow, remind me to never get into a knife fight with clancelt!



In that case, I agree with you. Really. I do.

lol, sorry. The Military really changes the way you look at things It's hard to switch it off at times.

[switchblade5984]

As for sticking out, sheath should be covered with just the handle sticking out. It's only there for people to see, as among friends. It was typically a covert weapon, so you would display it to show that you were among friends and had nothing to hide.

I was always taught that the Sqian Dubh was an off hand weapon, thus it would go in your off hand hose, for me my left leg to be drawn with my left hand. The Dirk would be your primary weapon. Now the Dirk would be checked at the door of your host's house.

Should you be out of doors, your sgian dubh would most likely be in your sleave or hidden on your person someplace. Dirk would be pulled with your strong hand and your black knife with your off hand if need be.

So, long story short..... it doesn't matter ;)

never would have thought.........

[freddie]

'The rule makers' always say that the sgian dubh should be tucked into the right stocking, but the general retort is 'haven't they heard of left handed people?' As for the dirk, the old prints always show them being worn on the right side. The old Highlanders used to carry their broadswords in their strong hand with the dirk hidden under the targe in the other. They would parry the bayonets with their targe, bring the broadsword down onto the head or shoulders of their opponant and then finish him off with the dirk. Some of the dead Government troops during the Jacobite wars were said to have been cleaved from the top of the head to the breastbone ! I think you should wear your sgian dubh which ever side suits you best, and just have about an inch showing above the stocking top. I always feel that the dirk should only be worn with a plaid, and probably on the right side as the plaid is worn on the left shoulder.

[michael steinrok]

"Never bring a knife to a gun fight." So sayeth the man! I never thoght of cross draw for the dirk. I might give that a try. I always leave the handle sticking all the way out on my sgian.