When is a dirk appropriate?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It was noted above that the dirk is always to be worn on the right side. I understand that the sgian dubh is also to be worn on the right, but I'm left-handed, and if I have little use for a small pig-sticker in my sock, I have even less use for one in my right sock!

I always wear the sgian dubh on the left, and would likely do the same with a dirk. Is this considered bad form? Or is it, as I have always treated it, nobody's business but my own?

The dirk is worn on the right because it is intended to be drawn with the left hand while the sword is drawn with the right hand. On casual observation it would seem to me that the advantage is in your favour, what with you being left handed, and people no longer wearing swords.

Most people aren't left-handed, and so the conventions of wearing swords and dirks and sgians dubh evolved to favor right handed people. For something like 85-90% of the population the targe is carried on the left arm with the left hand grasping the hilt of the dirk while the right hand holds the sword. So to facilitate drawing the dirk it is worn on the right, and the sword is worn on the left.

Now in the civilian world of today these arms aren't normally carried, so in practical terms it really doesn't matter if you wear your dirk on the left side because you are left handed-- in all likelihood you won't be wearing a dirk at all. But if you attend an event where the wearing of the dirk would be considered appropriate, then you might want to consider conforming to the social norm and wearing your dirk on the right-- otherwise people may assume you don't know any better.