Safety or bladed

[freep]

My preference would be for something that looks traditional but is more functional - something with a horn/blackwood handle but something more useful on the "sock end".

Something like this but with something other than a bottle-opener and a corkscrew (and also without a blade).

Simple enough, find a clever lad or lass, give them the leatherman and a dowel of whatever wood you can find that suits, have them inlet the end of the dowel for the leatherman and carve the rest into a sgian dhu-looking, er, case.

[Calico]

I'll be the contrary one here. A modern cheap sgian dubh is obviously not a functional knife so I don't treat it as one. It is strictly ornamental. (a Cold Steel mini Culloden is a different proposition altogether)

I carry a Leatherman for utility. But many things about highland dress are, these days, strictly ornamental or an attempt to look "historically correct". I have no problem at all having a fake knife in my hose as part of a total ensemble.

Really, pockets are much more functional than a sporran.

[MacCathail]

I gave up on the sgian dubh a few years ago. I think in 30+ years of wearing the kilt I probably used it for something practical perhaps twice. Then it was to shave down a new reed that was too strong. Otherwise it just got in the way. A sgian was part of the uniform in several of the pipe bands I was in and I had a couple of my own. I lost the fancy one whose blade may have been able to cut butter, although I never tried. On the other hand the horn-handled one which still sits in my drawer will cut pretty much anything. I sliced through the - rather cheap - leather scabbard that came with it . . . and a couple of times my own clumsy fingers.

I'm never without my pocket knife, though. I must have got my first one when I was 9 or 10. My uncle gave it to me. It was a pearl-handled beauty with "Blackstone Hotel, Chicago" inscribed on it. I still always carry some sort of pocket knife. (Well, almost always. Thanks, TSA. Grumble, grumble.)

Cheers,

-John-

[Sir Didymous]

I like a sharp blade as a matter of practical use. If a blade is inappropriate for any reason, I usually omit it all together. The bladeless variety can still be used in a harmful manner, but I will leave it there for risk of breaking the rules. However, recently I found a couple lighters that have been printed with traditional sgian dubh handle patterns. I thought it might be fun to have one of those in my sock as an option to having nothing. Even for a non-smoker like me, the lighter serves a function.

[DragonsTooth]

Personally, I prefer a blade to be sharp - it is considered a tool to many after all.
When making them, I have yet to be asked to make a blunt one - my reasoning is that if going custom - you may as well go all-out with it.

I can understand when people go with the plastic ornamental ones but given the choice between that or nothing - I would rather go without.

[Ntaker]

Mine is for dress but I am looking at picking up a functional blade. As of now if I need to open something...I have to reach for my Gerber in my sporran.

[craigclan]

I always keep a knife on my belt when not kilted and a knife in my sock when kilted . No use carrying something that isn't sharp . Beer has twist off caps so no need for a bottle opener here .

[Father Bill]

Beer has twist off caps so no need for a bottle opener here .

Not Innis &Gunn!

[Madadh]

If I wear a sgian dubh it is sharp, if I need to wear a sgian brew I know I can always open a bottle of beer. The sgian brew is used at ren faires that don't allow blades, the sgian dubh is worn the rest of the time, and always is sharp.

I wear the sgain brew at work as they don't allow knives.

[LRRP]

A friend of mine is a part time knife maker and made me this sgian dubh based upon some questions he asked me concerning likes and dislikes about knives. The decorative sgain dubh next to it is for size comparison. He's really a great knife maker as well as a Deputy Sheriff in South Carolina, USA. Let me know if anyone wants his web site address.

Apparently, I'm too new to post pics. Message me if you would like to see what I carry.