What qualifies as a dress scian dubh?

[Tomo]

a short pointed blade mounted with a slightly longer handle than we now see, rather crude, and probably made of wood or horn.

Sounds like all of mine.

[Touchstone]

No, I don't want a plastic sgian dubh. On a cruise ship forum, though, someone was discussing the kilt ensemble her husband wears on formal nights and mentioned that he has a plastic sgian dubh for places where knives are not allowed (the cruise line explicitly prohibits them). I suggested he omit it. He might get a pass, but he might be questioned every time he showed his calf.

Anyone have any experience with this?

[figheadair]

Malcolm Ferris-Lay's book The Sgian Dubh is the one to turn to, if wanting the definitive on what is a dress sgian. His examples are the stuff of fantasy and desire.

Such a wonderful book. I've been fortunate to see some of Malcolm's collection in person. Such beautiful pieces.

[figheadair]

No, I don't want a plastic sgian dubh. On a cruise ship forum, though, someone was discussing the kilt ensemble her husband wears on formal nights and mentioned that he has a plastic sgian dubh for places where knives are not allowed (the cruise line explicitly prohibits them). I suggested he omit it. He might get a pass, but he might be questioned every time he showed his calf.

Anyone have any experience with this?

No experience but I concur with your suggestion of just omitting it. More often than not I don't wear a sgian dubh but when I do, I wear the one I have which nicely illustrates Troglodyte's point that here in Scotland one size fits all is frequently the norm. Made by T. K. Ebbutt, Edinburgh 1923, I happy wear this with tweed, right through to White Tie.

[ASinclair]

I have one sgian dubh that I wear for all occasions.



It has a silver celtic dragon on a rosewood handle and a sharp, single edged steel blade.