Pocket Knife with Kilt

[Rlail]

Reading these exchanges reminds me of my days as a Scout in the late 60s-early 70s. The Scouts in Scotland encouraged the wearing of the kilt as part of the uniform and many of us wore a kilt for normal Scout activities - but never a sgian dubh. Rather it was normal to have a respectable sheath-knife on one's belt. I can remember the knife I had - it had a blade of 4.5 to 5 inches and a hilt of compressed leather rings - it was made in Sheffield by a company called Wm Rodgers and as far as I was concerned it was the real deal. In fact I could take you to the field near Shawhead in Dumfriesshire where I lost it - it's probably still there under the turf.

I doubt if there was ever any evidence of Boy Scouts being habitual menaces with their knives, but it seems the Law in the UK now frowns on such knives and such casual wearing of them - in public at least. But back in those days it was just the normal done thing and we thought we looked pretty cool with our knives on our belts with our kilts.

Sorry state the worlds in nowadays. What you posted is probably what I'll do, just use a good fixed blade on a belt sheath, thanks.

[ThistleDown]

Sorry state the worlds in nowadays. What you posted is probably what I'll do, just use a good fixed blade on a belt sheath, thanks.

You are on the right track, Rlail. These are three knives I, personally, use often.

The one on the left is a Russel made in Canada. This is a small version in their range, but I find it adequate for most things. The middle is a Buck with a 3.5-inch blade and therefore within most restrictions; it's convenient and unobtrusive in its sheath. On the right is the sgian dubh I usually have in my hose and,. I've not show the little Swiss I always have in my pocket or sporran -- for the corkscrew. I keep them all razor sharp and each has an obvious usefulness, including the sgian. In other words, don't overthink this thing: choose the tool that's right for the task.




Edit: I should add, I suppose, that my sgian (ban) of file steel, bone and brass, has often been used to skin a rabbit, fillet a fish, cut a twig and pare an apple. It has also been used to slice rope, cut plastic ties, stir a hare stew. It has never been used to gralloch a stag.