Dirk sheaths

[Nick]

I'm almost done making my dirk, and I have a question about sheaths. 100% of the pictures I've seen, both worn and by themselves, show the dirk sheath having a suspension that leaves the blade going straight down, instead of slanted. Is there a reason for this? It seems to me that having it slanted would be not only more comfortable but also more practical. I may make the first sheath for it with the vertical suspension, but I'd like to give a diagonal frog suspension a try to. Any thoughts on this?

[Woodsheal]

The Scottish dirk is a development of the medieval "ballock" dagger, which was worn hanging straight down in front, in an obviously phallic manner. I've never seen any image of a dirk, any original dirk, or any currently-made dirk, that hangs at a slant. IMO, it just wouldn't look right at all...!