Has carrying a sgian dubh ever caused anyone problems?

**Panache** · 21st June 07, 02:57 PM

My advice,

Ask yourself:

Do I really want/have need of a real knife? A

or

Do I want a really attractive decorative item to enhance my kilt outfit ? B

If A You want a real knife, then you should check your local and state laws and codes about carrying a blade. Then decide if it is worth it.

If B You want something attractive to enhance your kilted outfit, look into a blank/ false sgian dubh or a "sgian don't" (a knife handled bottle opener, comb, or whatever) which can be a fun woodworking project.

I wear mainly "sgian don'ts". I have been asked VERY seriously by a police officer if I was wearing a knife in my sock at my son's elementary school (I was wearing a "sgian don't"). Had I been stupid in my interactions with this officer it might have gone VERY VERY badly for me.

I remember when I got my first kilt, a gray mocker Utilikilt. I had flashes and hose but I just couldn't wait to get a sgian dubh. It seemed a big deal at the time. After a year of wearing kilts I see the sgian dubh for what it is, a small part of Highland dress, interesting, but not essential.

For the record, I get a heck of a lot more use from my bottle opener than I ever had with either of my two real sgian dubhs which is why I wear that one most of the time.

Just my two cents.

Cheers

Jamie

**Robin** · 21st June 07, 03:15 PM

Only once...a police car almost knocked me off my feet when I walked on the side walk in the city centre.

I bypassed the Dutch weapon law with my custom made sgian dubh (Rab Gordon SG208a)...no blood groove and no fish scalers. It's now just a knife...not a weapon

Btw...I hardly ever wear a sgian dubh when casual.

**Monkey@Arms** · 21st June 07, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by Robin

Only once...a police car almost knocked me off my feet when I walked on the side walk in the city centre.

I bypassed the Dutch weapon law with my custom made sgian dubh (Rab Gordon SG208a)...no blood groove and no fish scalers. It's now just a knife...not a weapon

Btw...I hardly ever wear a sgian dubh when casual.

Hey Robin, those things cut on to the the spine of the blade are called "jimping." They provide some slip-resistance and are also decorative, but fish scalers they are not.

Best regards,

Jake

**Don Patrick** · 21st June 07, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Hey Robin, those things cut on to the the spine of the blade are called "jimping." They provide some slip-resistance and are also decorative, but fish scalers they are not.

Best regards,

Jake

Jake,

Some depending on how they are set up are for scaling fish, others for stabilizing your thumb, then even others for sawing light metal. Couldn't resist that - it's the knife collector in me I guess. Sorry.

**Monkey@Arms** · 21st June 07, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Don Patrick

Jake,

Some depending on how they are set up are for scaling fish, others for stabilizing your thumb, then even others for sawing light metal. Couldn't resist that - it's the knife collector in me I guess. Sorry.

Well this is my fault for going off topic. You are correct, of course, that that grooves on the spines of blades can serve many purposes. Most sgians I've seen have file marks. Here's an example of a lovely Rab Gordon, like Robin was talking about.

Just curious, have you ever seen a functional fish scaler on a sgian dubh?

Best regards,

Jake

**Don Patrick** · 21st June 07, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by Monkey@Arms

Well this is my fault for going off topic. You are correct, of course, that that grooves on the spines of blades can serve many purposes. Most sgians I've seen have file marks. Here's an example of a lovely Rab Gordon, like Robin was talking about.

Just curious, have you ever seen a fuctional fish scaler on a sgian dubh?

Best regards,

Jake

Have to admit I haven't. Never owned a dirk. Maybe it's time. Of course my Dad wouldn't have cared, he used the oddest types of knives to scale fish.

...and you are right I guess this is off topic - I'll quit.

**Don Patrick** · 21st June 07, 05:07 PM

Jake, Robin,

Both look like nice blades. Maybe it's time I added to my collection. I must admit Jake your blade appears to be very special is it Damacus?

**Kiltman** · 29th July 07, 09:18 AM

I had a problem a couple of years ago at the Spokane Indians Ball Game. The Spokane Scottish Dancers were a demo group before the game. After the demo a policeman asked me to put the 'knife' in my 'purse'. He said some folks were worried that I was carrying a weapon!
I seldom wear it now. Never to schools or public events. While I'm hiking I might take it along; and always to the Spokane Highland Games.