Sgian Dubh

**Planopiper** · 16th January 06, 12:10 PM

I don't usually wear one unless I'm in my band uniform or playing a gig, and even then not if I'll be going somewhere like a school to do a presentation. To me it's more of a costume piece, and I don't consider myself to be wearing a costume when I'm wearing a kilt. I carry a Swiss army knife for practical use. I do wear it when I play a gig because people want the image of a piper as much as the music, so all the paraphenalia is expected.

**Hamish** · 16th January 06, 12:38 PM

Here in the United KIngdom, I have a genuine sgian dubh, but I have not worn it for several years. Long before 9/11 it was confiscated when I was flying from Aberdeen to London and I was told by the airport police in Aberdeen (not the baggage checkers) that it was classified as an illegal and an offensive weapon - that was after they had measured the blade and found it to be 1" too long!! It was eventually returned to me after the flight, with the warning that I should not wear it outside of my own home.

On my next visit to Scotland, I purchased a faux sgian dubh which I always wear now. Being a law-abiding soul, with no need or wish to carry a 'blade', I have no problem with wearing the faux one - only I know what it is!

Actually, strictly speaking that is not quite true. I have been asked several times, mostly at museums and art galleries, if it is a genuine sgian dubh and I have been obliged to show it before being admitted.

**GlassMan** · 16th January 06, 07:27 PM

Ham, have you ever seen the sgian dubhs that have additional tools hidden in the handle? Avance highland and some others sell them and claim that they were modelled after an officer's sgian dubh from the Crimean War. I've not been able to find any corroborating evidence on that fact. Your thoughts?

**cormacmacguardhe** · 16th January 06, 10:11 PM

I have never had a problem with carrying mine, my home town has a law against carrying a concealed weapon over six feet long, so I have no problem with my sgian dubh. Plus I usually have a buck knife on my belt for emergencies.

**GlassMan** · 16th January 06, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by cormacmacguardhe

I have never had a problem with carrying mine, my home town has a law against carrying a concealed weapon over six feet long, so I have no problem with my sgian dubh. Plus I usually have a buck knife on my belt for emergencies.

Where in the world would you hide a weapon over 6 feet long on your person?

**cormacmacguardhe** · 17th January 06, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Where in the world would you hide a weapon over 6 feet long on your person?

do not know. Have been trying to figure that one out for myself.

**Southern Breeze** · 17th January 06, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Where in the world would you hide a weapon over 6 feet long on your person?

No problem,get a Freelander!

**Freelander Sporrano** · 18th January 06, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

No problem,get a Freelander!

Sound advice ...Although 6 foot will stretch it a little

**macwilkin** · 17th January 06, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by GlassMan

Ham, have you ever seen the sgian dubhs that have additional tools hidden in the handle? Avance highland and some others sell them and claim that they were modelled after an officer's sgian dubh from the Crimean War. I've not been able to find any corroborating evidence on that fact. Your thoughts?

Glassman, I've searched and searched for any documenting evidence about this particular style of sgain dubh, and I can't find any evidence for it. It could very well be true, but I do reside in Missouri, so you'll have to "Show-Me" before I totally believe it.

It certainly wasn't in the Crimean War, though. My theory is that if it was based on the Swiss Army Knife, which was first issued to the Swiss in the 1890's, then it couldn't have been issued in the Crimea, since that was 40 years before! The South African (Boer) War or even the First World War, possibly.

Cheers,

Todd

**mattexian** · 25th January 06, 11:30 AM

I know I'm a little late on this...
Like another Texan here, I'm glad of where I live, the laws allow anything single-edged and no more than 5.5 inches blade length. That said, I've been told (by folks not knowing any better) that my Cold Steel Mini Culloden (a modern Skean Dhub) is illegal as it is a dirk. I tried arguing that at best it is "dirk-shaped" but is too small to be a true dirk, but got nowhere with that fool. (Funny bit is that Cold Steel actually sells a Dirk, over a foot long!) (Texas case law established an exception for "Bowie-shaped" knives if they meet the other allowances, while a real Bowie knife is illegal, as it is much longer than 5.5"!) I do find it amusing that British law allowed knives "as part of a national costume" while forbiding them for nearly everyone else. (At least, that was how I understood the law there a few years back, I don't know if that gone with the latest crackdowns.)

Matt in Texas