When is a dirk appropriate?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I tend to agree with the "rules" or conventions stated here regarding dirk-wearing, when the dirk in question looks like this:



...but, what about a simpler, historic-type dirk (without all of the silver mounts and gemstones)? Would not a dirk like the one below look OK with a smart, tweed jacket & vest day-wear ensemble? I've never done so, only having worn it with period garb. But, I have toyed with the idea...!

I suppose it's all down to a matter of taste (and that top dirk is a very tasty item), but I always find it faintly amusing when I see a gentleman in day wear attire sporting a dirk. To me it always looks as if he is trying just a bit too hard to look "Scottish".

Before strapping on a dirk with one's tweeds, I suppose one might ask the question, "What am I apt to be doing today that might require I have a stout 18-inch dagger at my side?" If the answer doesn't immediately pop into one's mind, then I suppose it might be a good idea to forgo the theatricality of the thing and leave the dirk at home on the sideboard, next to the ram's head snuff mull.