One Sgian Dubh for all occasions??

[beerbecue]

Is there such a thing? If so, what would it look like???

I want one, but I want it to work for everything - yes, compromise is an option, and no, I don't like silvered or jeweled ones anyway......

Thanks for the advice!!!

[Canadian_Kilt]

I have one picked out at my local shop, but haven't picked it up yet. I bought a nice one with a black handle and thistle emblem. Decent quality and nice, but nothing outrageous. Should be good enough for casual or formal use.

[PiobBear]

My favorite "all-arounder" is a basic regimental pattern. I drilled out the central rivet, and replaced it with an enameled Legion lapel pin.

[Woodsheal]

This is the one I have my eyes on, for the "all purpose" use you mention:

http://www.swordsmiths.co.uk/Data/Pages/Scottish_12.htm

It has nice carving, no jewels or shiny bits, and is based on a historic sgian recovered from the Culloden battlefield (I've seen pics of the original)....

[Dirk Skene]

I have 2. Both are simple & inexpencive. I plan on buying a nice one within the next year that I'll reserve for formal a occations.

[Nick]

For an all-around sgian, I'd say no jewels, and little or no silver. A sgian can be dressy without all the doodads, and eliminating them makes it more useful as a day to day tool. A nicely carved black handle which is comfortable in the hand is probably your best bet.

[Panache]

beerbeque,

If your intention is to only buy one sgian dubh in your lifetime and have it be something you will be happy with for the rest of your life, you should look at Rab Gordon's work:

http://www.rainnea.com/

I have looked at his knives often and he is a skilled artist. Those on X Marks that have bought his work have nothing but praise for him.

Will it be more than the average mas produced sgian dubh?

Yep!

But! Everytime you go looking at the vendors at a Highland game or browse a new internet seller you will never feel that you have a lesser knife. You will have an heirloom quality piece to hand down to the next generation.

There is the old but very true expression, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever".

Just my opinion

Cheers

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A good rule of thumb is that a sgian dubh can be too dressy for casual wear, but (a well made one) can never be too casual for formal wear.

What I mean is this: A sign dubh designed specifically to be formal or fancy looking (lost of silver work, stone cap, etc) might look fabulous with formal attire but a bit over-the-top with daily dress.

On the other hand, a relatively plain looking staghorn or blackwood sgian dubh would look great for casual dress but will also work marvelously for formal wear.

Look at the Oxhorn sgian dubh (4th one down) on this page:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/blackknife.html

For the longest time, this was my one and only sgian dubh and I wore it for all occasions.

Aye,
matt

[Panache]

I have the same one Matt suggested (actually I got it from him at the Tartans Museum Shop) for my dressier outfits and it does look quite subtle and handsome.

Cheers

[beerbecue]

Thanks for that rule of thumb Matt...

I was looking at the oxhorn, the blackwood with the thistle (right below it) and the real staghorn at the bottom of the page with black cap/thistle.....

I will be ordering come payday Matt.....