Sgian Dubh question

[sevenoaks]

Dose anyone out there have an opinion on wearing a Sgian Dubh out in public. Do you wear a real one in public or use a "Safe" model? I wear a real one all the time in Vancouver BC but got to wondering about the safety of it... Somehow I feel uncomfortable with a real knife so handy, although there times I could have used it on a heckler last winter night.
One day someone did reach down and tried to grab my Sgian Dubh and asked "is that real?" Fortunately my knee was faster than his hand. He did find out, Yes it is real but it was in my hand. All said "Sorry Man"
I was wondering if there are any laws regarding a concealed weapon in the place where you live.
Maybe I should get myself a "safe" knife to wear in public but continue wearing my regular Sgian Dubh only when I go out to social functions, such an Art Galleries, Highland Events, hiking, fishing, I love fly fishing in BC. They are the best rivers in the world....Bar Non.
Uhoo..off track. sorry about that. That is a whole new subject for discussion.

[AFS1970]

Here in Connecticut (U.S.) sgian dubhs are compliant with all the knife laws we have locally, as they are too short. There is also the fact that wearing a knife sticking out of your sock, is hardly concealing anything. Add to that the strong crossover of Celtic heritage and law enforcement and you get to the point that there is rarely if ever a problem wearing one. I have even worn my dirk which technically does require a local permit and never had anyone question it, despite my lack of a permit.

I have never had someone reach for mine, but I can see where that might be a problem, as there is no pre-planning available for other peoples stupidity.

[Chas]

Hi Sevenoaks,

Here in the UK, as per the Criminal Justice Act 1988


139 Offence of having article with blade or point in public place.

(1) Subject to subsections (4) and (5) below, any person who has an article to which this section applies with him in a public place shall be guilty of an offence.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, this section applies to any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed except a folding pocketknife.
(3) This section applies to a folding pocketknife if the cutting edge of its blade exceeds 3 inches.
(4) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had good reason or lawful authority for having the article with him in a public place.
(5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, it shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had the article with him—
(a) for use at work;
(b) for religious reasons; or
(c) as part of any national costume.

Under paragraph (4), it is legally accepted that a Scottish heritage is good reason and under paragraph (5)(c), it is legally accepted that the wearing of a kilt (in itself, without accessories) will constitute a national dress.

That is the law as it stands in the UK. Having said that, local Magistrates can deem specific areas as knife 'no-go' areas, because of a localised crime level. Paragraphs (4) and (5) would be suspended, but the whole 'no-go' Order would have to be re-newed every three months and is not indefinite.

As far as I am aware, the definition of a 'Public Place' is the same in Canada as it is in the UK. That is to say, any place to which the general public has access freely or by the payment of a fee. So your "Art Galleries, Highland Events, hiking, fishing" all take place in public places.

When I am kilted, unless in a restricted area, I wear a sgian duhb.

Regards

Chas

[ctbuchanan]

I wear mine to all "Scottish" functions such as highland games/gatherings/Burns suppers etc. I NEVER wear it to New York City for Tartan Week - that's just asking for trouble I think - and I'm a pretty big guy.
To weddings, dinners etc. I wear a more decorative one - but when just knocking about, or do a pub night I usually foregoe as not necessary.

[Joshua]

I carry a Sgian Brew that I made myself when I just don't want to bother with a sgian. Soon enough, I think I'm going to have to make a sgian dubh as well.

[Father Bill]

If you're travelling, be very sure that you know and understand both the local laws and their normal interpretation. A liberal law may still have a conservative interpretation... and please, friends, let's not make inappropriate political comments on that - there are no capital letters on the words.

Failing all else, frankly a Sgian Brew, Safety Sghian, or an empty sock (as mine is right this minute) are all acceptable.

[AKScott]

I started carrying a pocket knife growing up on a farm when I was, gosh, before I started kindergarten.

I hadn't before thought of being kilted in NYC, but I suppose that would be a good place to carry a folder in my sporran and sport an "empty" sock or a sgian brew.

In Alaska, wear a real sgian.

[Tobus]

Where I live, a sgian dubh is considered a very small knife and people wonder where my real knife is! Everybody carries knives. They're just tools.

[Geoff Withnell]

If you're travelling, be very sure that you know and understand both the local laws and their normal interpretation. A liberal law may still have a conservative interpretation... and please, friends, let's not make inappropriate political comments on that - there are no capital letters on the words.

Failing all else, frankly a Sgian Brew, Safety Sghian, or an empty sock (as mine is right this minute) are all acceptable.

For local and state law in the USA, this link is very good.

http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USKnife.pdf

[artificer]

I wear one when kilted, unless entering into a secure area where it would be banned/confiscated.

I am thinking about a sgian brew for non-Highland festivals, where the stupid and drunk tend to make carrying a knife a bit more of a liability (like in the OP)

ith: