When is a dirk appropriate?

[Phil]

Another southpaw here.

In Scotland it is "corrie-fisted". I don't know if highland soldiers were trained to fight right-handed but Cumberland's army were trained to bayonet the opponent to the right of them on their unprotected side. This would not have been so effective with a left-handed opponent.

[Am Bàrd]

Actually, a large number of the Penicuik sketches show left handed highlanders, though there is some debate as to whether it was to make them appear exotic, or simply the artists' fancy. As a student of Highland Swordsmanship however, their postures and guards are correct to Thomas Page's 1746 manual, so they can't be completely based in fantasy...

And in regards to the dirk placement, there's much iconography for it to be worn in the centre of the belt - accessible to either hand, though these sources are certainly not for formal occasions.

[BoldHighlander]

Actually, a large number of the Penicuik sketches show left handed highlanders, though there is some debate as to whether it was to make them appear exotic, or simply the artists' fancy. As a student of Highland Swordsmanship however, their postures and guards are correct to Thomas Page's 1746 manual, so they can't be completely based in fantasy...

At this risk of taking this thread further off-topic:

Of the ones I posted here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/l...44/index2.html, four of the images illustrate left handed swordsmen. As the images of known personalities (Gordon of Glenbucket etc) jive with period descriptions, I personally believe the illustrations to be fairly accurate representations & a great resource.

I now return you to the subject at hand (no pun intended)

[JRB]

...in regards to the dirk placement, there's much iconography for it to be worn in the centre of the belt - accessible to either hand, though these sources are certainly not for formal occasions.

Since my only dirk is of 17th c. style and I only wear it with my belted plaid, I hang it more from the center next to my sporran as you mentioned.

[Piper]

In Scotland it is "corrie-fisted". I don't know if highland soldiers were trained to fight right-handed but Cumberland's army were trained to bayonet the opponent to the right of them on their unprotected side. This would not have been so effective with a left-handed opponent.

A few years back, at one of the reenactments, the public was on the field following the battle. One of the British reenactors was explaining that particular change in tactics to some of the spectators. He asked a couple of us "Jacobites" to give him a hand with a demonstration. Unfortunately for him, both us happened to be left handed. The puzzled look on his face when the tactic failed was the source of great amusement.