Sgian Dubh w/ Non-Traditional Insulting?

[Ayin McFye]

Good day everyone. This question is for our traditional kilt wearers out there.

A friend of mine mentioned to me on St. Patrick's day that wearing a Sgian Dubh with non-traditional kilt attire, can be seen as insulting to a traditionalist. So my question is according to the die hard traditionalist kilt wearers, when is it ok or not ok to wear a Sgian Dubh?

Even if I'm not a 100% traditionalist, I also don't ever want to offend someone if I can prevent it. I highly respect the kilt, and I understand that the kilt style that I embrace is a bit of a mix between traditionalist and modern, but I'd still like to know proper protocol should I choose to follow it.

I know that the non-traditional kilt wearers will say "Just wear it if you want to", but that's not what I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance.

[Macman]

Ayin, this probably won't answer your question, but no matter what you wear, there is likely someone you will offend. I've worn the kilt traditionally, right out of Dunakin's book, and had people come up and tell me what I'm wearing wrong. There are many opinions as to what is correct when dressing traditionally.
If you're going traditional, then the sgian dubh is always okay to wear.
If you're wearing non-traditional kilt attire, then whether you wear the sgian or not doesn't matter, because you've already offended a traditionalist, somewhere, by not wearing the kilt traditionally. For clarity, I'm not saying that all traditionalists will be offended, or even that it is bad to be offended, just that someone will be, sgian or no.

[Monkey@Arms]

I frankly don't even understand the question. How could wearing a small sheath knife in your sock be an insult? A crime, sometimes, but an insult?

Best regards,

Jake

[Colonel MacNeal]

I think as long as its not an evening sgian, anything your locality will allow should be OK.

[JS Sanders]

I'll add mine to Macman's...

No matter how either impeccably or slovenly kilted you are, some ding-a-ling is gonna express details of their offense.

I've reached the time of life where I no longer suffer fools. It's a sad state of affairs where our decisions in life are dictated by those who may take offense. Good manners always, however, I don't accommodate jugheads.

A non-traditional look is not something you'll see me wearing, but I don't get on my ear when someone else does. And this includes wearing a sgian. If that look pleases you, why stop at the sgian?

Slan,
steve

[Jock Scot]

Good day everyone. This question is for our traditional kilt wearers out there.

A friend of mine mentioned to me on St. Patrick's day that wearing a Sgian Dubh with non-traditional kilt attire, can be seen as insulting to a traditionalist. So my question is according to the die hard traditionalist kilt wearers, when is it ok or not ok to wear a Sgian Dubh?

Even if I'm not a 100% traditionalist, I also don't ever want to offend someone if I can prevent it. I highly respect the kilt, and I understand that the kilt style that I embrace is a bit of a mix between traditionalist and modern, but I'd still like to know proper protocol should I choose to follow it.

I know that the non-traditional kilt wearers will say "Just wear it if you want to", but that's not what I'm interested in.

Thanks in advance.

If anybody,but anybody gets insulted over kilts and its attire(apart from wearing feathers that one is not entitled to) then one really ought to go and get a life! Strong opinions are held by some, of that there is no doubt, but lets keep things in perspective. Please.

If you want to wear sgian dubh, then wear one, there is no right or wrong here.It is down to personal choice.

Now, I have to admit I am a tad confused here. If one is to wish to wear a non traditional kilt and attire, why would one want to conform with anything that is traditional? I am not saying, for one second, you can't. I am just wondering why you should want to?

This raises the question of; do modern and traditional kilt attire mix? From what I have seen here, and only here, then in my humble opinion, my answer is, no they don't. Each to their own.

[Spartan]

Ayin,

Your friend is probably right -- there's always someone will be offended, not matter what you do. It's a small minority of a minority.

It reminds me of a saying that I posted somewhere else: "Minds are like parachutes,... they only function when they are open!"

I know I didn't answer your question, because I'm not the traditionalist who would be offended. It's just a utility knife, after all. -- not even concealed like a pocket knife.

[The Barry]

I find that if I'm not offending someone, I'm not properly dressed.

About your question; no, don't think anyone would be offended and not be a complete snob. But, and here's the rub, I would take strides to match the level of tradition/contemporary style of the sgian with the kilt.

So, a tartan kilt in PV = fairly traditional sgain, a nice day-wear number perhaps.

UK = something that functions as a sgain but is obviously not traditional in nature.

There are some nicely styled, more contemporary sgians out there that would look really smart with contemporary kilts. Just make sure that you do a mirror check, a good mirror check will tell you everything that I can over the internet and much, much more.

And don't forget to get the in-person advice of a fair lass. That's even better than the mirror check!

[Bugbear]

All I know is what I have read or been told.

... As far as sgians dubh are concerned, wear the real thing, or nothing at all. Fake is fake, and gentlemen don't do fake.

The STM has some nice sgians dubh.

[1MUNK3]

I wear my kilted attire in a very traditional manner, always have always will. I never take offense to those that wear theirs in a non traditional manner or kilts that are non traditional. Never have never will. Has JockScot says one must really get a life if one is so offended by the non trad wearing or accessorizing of such. I can't comprehend why it would be a bother to anyone really. Even when not kilted I always carry a blade. I find it to be quite useful and absolutely utilitarian whether it be a sgian or any other blade. I've been that way since my father gave me my first blade has a wee lad. It's utter nonsene to be upset about something so trite. It seems if a person is bothered by that then they'll be bothered by just about everything in life and should just really cease to be or stay shut up (literally ) in their dwelling. From this traditional wearing kilted lad I say it's fine by me if you want to wear a sgian dubh. OI! and up tha kilts!