A 19th Century Sgian Dubh

[Dale Seago]

. . .California's draconian open carry (or concealed carry, if it's stuck into hose, but only maybe) laws (stricter in parts of Los Angeles, but not other parts, but only maybe), which I have been categorically unable to figure out. . .

Aye, I know. Where blades are concerned, California municipalities are free to enact local ordinances which are more restrictive than state law. In practice, most don't. And in practice, even where more restrictive ordinances exist, most agencies don't bother enforcing them. But they ARE out there in some places, and L.A. is one of them.

If I go down that way again to teach a martial arts seminar, as I've done from time to time, I'm taking and wearing (once I'm off the plane and have my checked bag) the staghorn sgian Taygrd made for me. I doubt I'd get hassled in the first place; but if it happened I'd happily trot out the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

[xman]

... the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

Yes and I had an argument with my brother regarding this last week. Can someone point me to the true data that I may silence his misunderstanding as mine was?

[/hijack]

[saxandpipes]

Wow!

Cheers,

Michael

[MacMillans son]

Yes and I had an argument with my brother regarding this last week. Can someone point me to the true data that I may silence his misunderstanding as mine was?

[/hijack]

X ,

I am too lazy to go looking for it, but M.O.R. had a pretty convincing argument against the unconcealed knife in the sock myth a few months ago. If he doesn't chime in here, perhaps the search function can locate it.

Essentially, his belief is that it was originally a utilitarian knife used by gamekeepers/hunters that was kept at the ready for typical tasks of that proffession IE field dressing animals. Nothing more romantic than that.

Now stop that hijacking!!

[figheadair]

I'd happily trot out the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

And a myth it is. What rubbish! The first example I know of a sgian dubh is in Raeburn's portrait of Col Alasdair MacDonell of Glengarry and if didn't invent the tradition then it's a fair bet that someone else did during the Highland Revival era but given his pretentions he's certainly the prime contender.