Folding Knife as a Sgian Dubh?

[ShaunMaxwell]

Here's a link to a folding sgian I'd run across some time ago... It's a thing of beauty, but out of my league. What do you think?



http://www.lyttleknives.com/gfldsgfb.htm

[csbdr]

I've never done a folder, but my father-in-law brought me a Tibetan fixed blade knife back from a visit to China. It has beautiful polished stones and wood scales. It's a bit heavy, but the blade/sheath tucks nicely into the top of my higher boots, which gives some extra support, and is really lovely!

[Moosedog]

Shaun, that is a sweet knife...Thanks for the link, I visited Lyttle's website and there is some amazingly beautiful work there. I daren't look at the prices...

Moosedog

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Most men wear their sgian dubh riding too high in their hose. The reason for this (I'm guessing) is that they want to show off clan badges, etc. On the prototype Officer's Model Sgian Dubh (as seen above) the scales were chequered, like the grip of a pistol. The decision to mount a clan badge was made to increase marketability. As far as the extra weight of the Officer's Model is concerned, well that's partially the penalty of having the two extra tools in the hilt, as well as the fact that it is made from metal, rather than injection molded plastic.

Prior to designing the Officer's Sgian Dubh I designed a knife which, when folded, had 3.5 inches of blade exposed beyond the end of the grip. Thus, it could be worn like a sgian dubh tucked into the top of the hose, with the 3.5 inches of exposed blade carried in a sheath exactly like any other sgian dubh. If more blade was required the knife could be unfolded, the blade locked back and, voila, you had almost six inches of hunting knife.

Pretty nifty, huh?

Except for three important points:

1) weight: The extra three inches of steel made the knife VERY top heavy.
2) legal: In many countries it is against the law to carry a knife with more than a 3.5 inch blade.
3) field test results: The grip was generally considered too small for a blade of that length, and the knife was too bulky when worn in the traditional manner.

Folding knives (pocket knife, Swiss Army knife, etc.) are designed to be carried in the pocket, and as a result of their basic design do not ride well when carried in the top of one's hose.

In the 100-125 years that the sgian dubh has been considered a de rigueur part of highland attire, despite many attempts to improve upon its utility or decoration, the little black knife has hardly changed at all.

[Ivy]

Daggers are normally double edged. Since most of the traditional sgians are single edge, I know in my home state (Maryland) the sgian is NOT a dagger.

Geoff Withnell

Yeah, it probably wouldn't be an issue here either, but if you're going to get hassled over the silly little thing anyway spearpoint blade shape probably won't help your cause. The Opinel works so well for EDC anyway. Personally I've never been hassled about any knife, and I carry one on my person at all times. I did get one confiscated at the door to a punk rock show a few years back, but that was my bad for not leaving it in the car. I feel weird without it in my pocket.

[Panache]

I have been reading this thread and it occurs to me that a "waiter's friend" (bottle opener, corkscrew, and small blade) is both long enough and light enough to work as a sgian dubh.

I have a nice looking one so I'll have to try it with mine and see.

Cheers

Jamie

[Moosedog]

Jamie , I have done the same thing. Mine has a rather prominent corkscrew so I made a little sheath to smooth it out against my leg.

Moosedog

[Smayniac]

Daggers are normally double edged. Since most of the traditional sgians are single edge, I know in my home state (Maryland) the sgian is NOT a dagger.

Geoff Withnell

In California, peace officers have fairly wide discretion to call something a dirk. It needn't be double edged like a dagger would be, giving the police the ability to call things illegal weapons in wider circumstance.

Bob

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One hears tales of individuals running afoul of the police because they have a sgian dubh in their hose top. Forgive my incredulity, but I would like to hear from someone who, while peacefully going about their lawful business, was accosted by the law. I don't want to hear any "buddy of mine" stories, or stories about being caught up in a fracas along with a dozen other people and (wrongfully) charged with possession of a dangerous/deadly weapon, or anything even remotely similar. I'd just like to hear one, first person, experience where merely wearing a sgian dubh landed you in trouble with the cops.

And like Sgt. Joe Friday said, "Give us the facts ma'am. Just the facts."

[ThistleDown]

One hears tales of individuals running afoul of the police because they have a sgian dubh in their hose top. Forgive my incredulity, but I would like to hear from someone who, while peacefully going about their lawful business, was accosted by the law. I don't want to hear any "buddy of mine" stories, or stories about being caught up in a fracas along with a dozen other people and (wrongfully) charged with possession of a dangerous/deadly weapon, or anything even remotely similar. I'd just like to hear one, first person, experience where merely wearing a sgian dubh landed you in trouble with the cops.

And like Sgt. Joe Friday said, "Give us the facts ma'am. Just the facts."

Yup. Here in the frozen north, I'd like to know about any of those first-hands ones, too.