Dirks- when and how

[Big Mikey]

I have a regimental dirk that I wear on special occasions. I would just like to confirm its use as a formal accessory and check on how it should hang. Pictures I have seen show it towards the front on the right side. Thanks for the help.

[PiobBear]

Pipers wear them towards the rear on the right hip, like a bayonet. To far to the rear, it'd bang against your leg; too far forward, it'd be in the way of your arm swing.
I've seen old pictures of them up front; considering what it'd be like to walk or sit with an 18"+ blade in that position, I wonder if they weren't purposely drawn forward to prominently display them just for sake of the picture.

[macwilkin]

I've seen old pictures of them up front; considering what it'd be like to walk or sit with an 18"+ blade in that position, I wonder if they weren't purposely drawn forward to prominently display them just for sake of the picture.

I've seen that as well in Civil War era photographs where cartridge boxes, bayonets, etc. are moved to a more prominent position to "show them off".

Regards,

Todd

[thescot]

I only wear my dirk for very formal occassions, and I wear it to the right side in front at the waist, just forward of my cell phone. With the proper leather strap, it swings a bit sideways and to the rear when I sit, so it's not sticking me in the leg or some other sensitive area.

I think that drummers and pipers wear them to the rear for obvious reasons: in the front, they'd get in the way of the instrument.

Wearing a dirk with casual day wear really does look a bit overdone, but that's a personal opinion I share with Scotty Thompson. If your crowd tends to wear dirks, so be it. I have a regimental dirk and a dressier dirk with stones and small knife and fork. The one with the stones is only for the doublet and lace affairs. The other I might consider wearing with a Charlie.

As in most things, I would think that good taste, local customs, and one's own propensity for style would be the determining factors.

[AllenJ]

Perhaps get a more workhorse knife to wear for daily stuff. One without all the shiny bits, faux jewels and eating utensils. Even something like a KBar will look good and still have a functional purpose. Look at the dirks from the early and mid 18th century for ideas.
Something like these guys:
http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/Scottish_7.htm

Im trying to get my hands on a now discontinued Cold Steel Culloden for daily wear- Its closer to sgian dubh size than dirk size but fills the purpose of having a more practical tool to really use for daily needs.

[Colin]

Off topic, but I wanted to welcome Big Mikey. I am going to assume this is the same gent I met at the BC Highland games and again at the Hopscotch festival.

Back to the topic, I don't own a dirk, but intersting topic.

[PiobBear]

Perhaps get a more workhorse knife to wear for daily stuff. One without all the shiny bits, faux jewels and eating utensils.

I've got two; a tiny Swiss Army knife on my key ring, and a skian dubh. The smallest one gets the most use.

Even something like a KBar will look good and still have a functional purpose. Look at the dirks from the early and mid 18th century for ideas.

Pray tell, what "functional purpose" (other than the original intended purpose) does a K-Bar, dirk, bollock dagger, or main gauche serve? My very rarely-worn dirk (with the "shiny bits, faux jewels and eating utensils", can be relied upon to cut haggis and, on occasion, wedding cake, with the proper degree of formality and ceremony. Otherwise, it's merely a decoration, like my antique sterling shoe buckles.

I piped a wedding for a USMC captain once; he was in rental prince Charlie, kilt, and snow-white socks, with a K-Bar stuck in his right hose top. I suggested that those who didn't know he was a Marine might be led to suspect that he was overcompensating for some physical shortcoming...

[Woodsheal]

Here's a bladesmith you can commission to build you a practical, non-ornamental dirk (scroll to near the bottom of the page):
http://www.olddominionforge.com/knives.html

Here's another guy:
http://www.scotiametalwork.com/page21.html

Getting back to the original topic: yes, to the right of the sporran, and in front of the hip is the traditional spot to wear your dirk....

[Big Mikey]

Thanks to all for your kind advice. Colin, yes, it is me although I am surprised you remember me from Hopscotch as "Twas a grand and glorious night!".

[Caradoc]

Here's a bladesmith you can commission to build you a practical, non-ornamental dirk

Thanks! I hadn't seen the Old Dominion Forge.

I'll second a recommendation for Scotia Metalwork, though - this one is actually a picture of a custom sgian he did for me, no exclusivity.