When is a dirk appropriate?

[Jock Scot]

Couldn't agree more. A decent sgian dubh is just the thing for attacking the cheese-- if, unlike St. Amish , you don't sweat like a field hand you should still casually wipe the blade of your sgian dubh before using it on the cheddar... that's just common courtesy. (Of course, it also lets you make a bit of a show out of producing your sgian dubh, which really gets up the noses of those blokes in trousers who've been jealously sneering at your kilt all evening.)

Absolutely. If you are wearing a sgian dubh as just an ornamant, then just don't bother with it. If you are carrying one as a potential weapon, then most certainly don't bother. If you are wearing one with a dull blade, then don't bother. If you are wearing one with a keen blade and use it for those little jobs that turn up in life , then do bother.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Absolutely. If you are wearing a sgian dubh as just an ornamant, then just don't bother with it. If you are carrying one as a potential weapon, then most certainly don't bother. If you are wearing one with a dull blade, then don't bother. If you are wearing one with a keen blade and use it for those little jobs that turn up in life , then do bother.

Dear Jock,

I just love how good you are at sythesizing information.

Truly an art.


Best,

Robert

[BoldHighlander]

For the past 30 years I rarely leave the house without some form of knife on my person. I have used one from everything to cutting radiator hoses in a junk yard to the very act of self defense.

All my knives, including my choice in sgian dubh's are functional. I just can't bring myself to own a knife that is not.

On the topic of this thread (dirks), other than wearing one for a living history demonstration, or some sort of ceremony; I would consider strapping a Cold Steel version on my person if I were hiking in certain areas around here where big cats have been spotted (not to mention certain other -- "two legged" -- vermin ). However if that be the case, then I'm more than likely packing my Randall model 1 that I had made when I entered the service anyways.

[Phil]

To get back to Smitty's original question, the days when a highland gentleman would strap on every available form of weaponry to attend a social event are long consigned to the distant past and survive nowadays only in the form of a sgian dhubh tucked into the hose as a relic of the past. Whether this is considered to be a weapon seems to depend on ones cultural background but here in Scotland it is considerd an integral part of the dress, nothing more nor less. Pistols, swords, powder horns, dirks and all such paraphernalia now properly belong as ornaments on your wall, not festooned about your person and, while they may occasionally be seen worn by pipers, they are not regarded as appropriate otherwise and most certainly not with day or evening wear.

[Chas]

To get back to Smitty's original question, the days when a highland gentleman would strap on every available form of weaponry to attend a social event are long consigned to the distant past and survive nowadays only in the form of a sgian dhubh tucked into the hose as a relic of the past. Whether this is considered to be a weapon seems to depend on ones cultural background but here in Scotland it is considerd an integral part of the dress, nothing more nor less. Pistols, swords, powder horns, dirks and all such paraphernalia now properly belong as ornaments on your wall, not festooned about your person and, while they may occasionally be seen worn by pipers, they are not regarded as appropriate otherwise and most certainly not with day or evening wear.

And in the UK, for the most part illegal. A sgian dhub is OK, but a dirk, in a public place would be a no-no except for uniform occasions.

Regards

Chas

[davedove]

Because one must be ever wary of some cold tasty dark beer that could strike at any moment!

That's the same reason I have a corkscrew on my pocket knife. One never knows when he will have to deal with a rogue chardonnay.

[JRB]

To get back to Smitty's original question, the days when a highland gentleman would strap on every available form of weaponry to attend a social event are long consigned to the distant past and survive nowadays only in the form of a sgian dhubh tucked into the hose as a relic of the past. Whether this is considered to be a weapon seems to depend on ones cultural background but here in Scotland it is considerd an integral part of the dress, nothing more nor less. Pistols, swords, powder horns, dirks and all such paraphernalia now properly belong as ornaments on your wall, not festooned about your person and, while they may occasionally be seen worn by pipers, they are not regarded as appropriate otherwise and most certainly not with day or evening wear.

Precisely. A dirk was and is a weapon. That's all it ever was. If you are wearing one today it can only be described as big jewelry. A sgian dubh actually has uses as a tool. Sure, in a pinch I suppose it could be used for defense (although I'd consider it pathetic at best), but the reason it continues to be worn to this day and the dirk does not is because it is useful as well as traditional.

[Am Bàrd]

All my knives, including my choice in sgian dubh's are functional. I just can't bring myself to own a knife that is not.

Same here - if I have a blade, it's functional.

On the topic of this thread (dirks), other than wearing one for a living history demonstration, or some sort of ceremony; I would consider strapping a Cold Steel version on my person if I were hiking in certain areas around here where big cats have been spotted (not to mention certain other -- "two legged" -- vermin ). However if that be the case, then I'm more than likely packing my Randall model 1 that I had made when I entered the service anyways.

I think this is a valid use as well - when hiking I try to keep a good, sizable blade at hand (though it's usually just my 5" hunting knife when I'm going locally) because you never know when you might need a larger one - I've had need a few times when camping as well.

[dfmacliam]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

i normally do not wear a sgain for that reason... If I was in need of a weapon, it would not come from my sock... I will wear it for dress purposes.. But my protection will be out of sight... Primarily a neck knife...

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

That's the same reason I have a corkscrew on my pocket knife. One never knows when he will have to deal with a rogue chardonnay.

Which is why no proper kilted gentleman should set foot in the field or park without his Gaelic Themes "Officers" sgian dubh, combining as it does many of the useful tools associated with the venerable Swiss Army Knife with the indispensably traditional sgian dubh.