Taking my knives to UK

**Dileasgubas** · 25th May 17, 11:10 AM

To my knowledge, there are no restrictions on carrying knives in your checked luggage. I once brought a 3-foot cheese knife back from Europe and did not have any issues with Customs.

Things can go missing from checked luggage, however, and for that reason, I would leave my sgian at home.

Besides, it might be a good excuse to do some shopping while abroad...

**Randy McIntosh** · 25th May 17, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Farmer Jones

We are a little behind the times in my part of Canada.

Well in the rest of Canada then, usually only military pipers wear a dirk.

I'm heading across this summer myself to Scotland and will be kilted part of the time but I'm leaning on leaving my SD at home with the present conditions in the UK...not sure how the Police would take it with todays climate. I'm thinking of playing it safe.

**lschwartz** · 25th May 17, 11:52 AM

I have to agree with the suggestion to leave your sharpy/pointy things at home for this trip. Borrow your brothers if they are still at home, or rent them from a hire shop, or buy yourself some new ones while there and then bring them home in your checked luggage.

No reason to tempt fate unless you REALLY want to have your own stuff to wear for the ceremony. I wouldn't wear it out and about though, just for the ceremony.

Larry Schwartz

**Jock Scot** · 25th May 17, 12:44 PM

If you want to carry a SD in your hose top whilst wearing the kilt in Scotland then carry on. You will not be breaking the law. Wave the thing about and you could be asking for trouble. If you use common sense on where, when and what to do with it, then officialdom will have absolutely no quarrel with you whatsoever.

I had no trouble today wearing a SD with my kilt and if I decide to wear the kilt tomorrow then I shall expect not a jot of trouble with my SD tomorrow, or any other kilt wearing day in Scotland.

**Taskr** · 25th May 17, 02:54 PM

I don't wear an SD, but SWMBO saw me eying a few in a case not long ago so I figure it won't be long now since a significant date is coming up (I can hope, right?). A concern I have with any items of kit, kilted or otherwise, while travelling internationally is to ensure none of the itmes come under question with regard to material made from. Stags horn, ivory, exotic wood and such can make for a very fine SD and/or dirk and might well be a problem going into the visited country or coming back to your own. Its prudent to check the visited country Border/Customs pages to identify any materials that might cause grief and plan for and/or plan alternates accordingly. The question of being able to wear it to the event is mute if it doesn't even make it out of the arrival airport.

**tpa** · 25th May 17, 04:18 PM

I'll second Jock's comment. SD are legal anywhere in the UK, provided it is worn with appropriate clothing (a kilt), the blade is no more than 3½" long and it is not waved around or handled in an offensive manner. That said I would not wear one to any sort of public gathering where there are people who may have over indulged in alcohol, a concert or pub in the evening. In other words, just use common sense. You will not be allowed through airport security with it in you cabin baggage either.

**plaid preacher** · 25th May 17, 04:29 PM

Are they being married in a church or a hall? Churches are sanctuaries and there is a general understanding that weapons will not be taken inside the sanctuary. I was just at the 48th Highlanders of Canada Church Parade a month ago, and the officers removed their swords before entering the sanctuary; and because of that fact the troops do not march with rifles to or from the church. Likewise it might be good to check if the venue is a hall to see what their management says. By law in most jurisdictions a dirk is a prohibited weapon because of the length of the blade and therefore I would never wear one in civilian attire. (that said, I wouldn't wear one in civilian dress anyway).

The safest idea would be to forego the dirk all together. the sgian is your choice, but if in doubt, then perhaps a safety sgian for $20 is the answer.

**Terry Searl** · 25th May 17, 05:42 PM

Besides being as the wedding is in the UK and most weddings are a joyful event I see no reason to carry any kind of weapon......in America where they seem to obsessed with the rights to bear arms ....they have Shotgun weddings......I don't think I have ever heard of a Sgian Dubh or a Dirk wedding...... I really doubt if your weaponry will affect the sincerity of the vows...........as far as my own experience goes it is the kilt and tartan that attracts the attention, not the weapons.......but it is really the BRIDE'S and GROOM's day and nothing should detract from that.....just my opinion

**Jock Scot** · 25th May 17, 06:03 PM

Sigh, sigh and thrice sigh again.

A cricket bat is not a weapon, a baseball bat is not a weapon, a brick is not a weapon, a chisel is not a weapon and the SD is not a weapon. However if any of them are used offensively or even defensively then they can become weapons.

A hand grenade is a weapon, a sword is a weapon, an atom bomb is a weapon. Do I need to go on?

**ThistleDown** · 25th May 17, 06:28 PM

You asked for advice, Farmer Jones. Listen carefully to what you are receiving from those who live in the UK: a dirk is a weapon. Bring your sgian dubh in your checked luggage, wear it with comfort in your hose and not in your hand in all the right places, enjoy the wedding and your time in the UK. Leave your dirk at home because it is just not worn here -- because the law states quite clearly that it is a weapon. Think of the embarrassment when you have it publicly confiscated -- a very, very likely occurrence. Not worth it. Leave any other bits of 'costume' at home, too. No 'regalia', just proper Highland dress and you will be a great hit with the bride and groom.