Should the sgian dubh always go in the right kilt hose?

[User]

I read that if you're left-handed, you put the sgian dubh in your left kilt hose. However, in my mind the sgian dubh is primarily ornamental. As such. I think it makes more sense to always put it in your right kilt hose, because that's where 90% of people would have it.

[Jock Scot]

I am left handed and as a civilian I place my SD in my left hose. I have done so, all my pretty long life without any comment one way or the other.

[User]

I am left handed and as a civilian I place my SD in my left hose. I have done so, all my pretty long life without any comment one way or the other.

Well that settles it! I'm also left handed, so it was on my mind.

[Arnot]

I wear my kilts much of the time. When kilted, I carry a functional sgian dubh and often use it. It makes total sense to me that you would carry it on the side that corresponds to your dominant hand.

[User]

I wear my kilts much of the time. When kilted, I carry a functional sgian dubh and often use it. It makes total sense to me that you would carry it on the side that corresponds to your dominant hand.

For me, sheathing and unsheathing my sgian dubh is a two handed affair, so it doesn't matter which side it's on. If I use one hand, my kilt hose or sheath shift around, and I need to adjust them. Maybe I should make a leather sheath. That would probably stay in place without pulling on my kilt hose.

But even then, my lower legs are so far from my hands, I wonder if it makes much difference which leg my sgian dubh is on. I suppose that's something I'll need a few weeks of experience with to decide (after addressing the sheath slipping issue).

[Jock Scot]

For me, sheathing and unsheathing my sgian dubh is a two handed affair, so it doesn't matter which side it's on. If I use one hand, my kilt hose or sheath shift around, and I need to adjust them. Maybe I should make a leather sheath. That would probably stay in place without pulling on my kilt hose.

But even then, my lower legs are so far from my hands, I wonder if it makes much difference which leg my sgian dubh is on. I suppose that's something I'll need a few weeks of experience with to decide (after addressing the sheath slipping issue).

Your SD should stay pretty firmly in place, against the skin inside your hose, if you have a leather sheath and your garter ties/flashes-----I just use elastic--- that are comfortably tight.

[OC Richard]

An interesting discussion.

Since the vast majority of the sginean I've seen worn have been by military men, and invariably on the right, and myself being righthanded, I'd never thought about it being worn on the left, though it makes obvious sense for lefthanded people to do so.

I'm assuming it's always worn on the right in the military regardless.

I own one, rarely wear it, and yes for me it's purely ornamental. Howefer my old Pipe Major kept his razor-sharp and used it to shave bagpipe reeds when out piping at some event.