When is a dirk appropriate?

[St. Amish]

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.

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

[Panache]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

But a small knife stuck in one's sock is standard and accepted ornament for highland attire, both day and evening wear. Its size makes it convenient to carry.

The dirk on the other hand is generally only worn with formal and/or ceremonial garb. Its size is somewhat cumbersome and awkward.

Personally I find myself more often than not either not wearing a sgian dubh at all or wearing a "sgian don't" bottle cap opener. Because one must be ever wary of some cold tasty dark beer that could strike at any moment!*

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:





* I am ever the optimist

[davedove]

Because one must be ever wary of some cold tasty dark beer that could strike at any moment!

That's the same reason I have a corkscrew on my pocket knife. One never knows when he will have to deal with a rogue chardonnay.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

That's the same reason I have a corkscrew on my pocket knife. One never knows when he will have to deal with a rogue chardonnay.

Which is why no proper kilted gentleman should set foot in the field or park without his Gaelic Themes "Officers" sgian dubh, combining as it does many of the useful tools associated with the venerable Swiss Army Knife with the indispensably traditional sgian dubh.

[JRB]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

Funny, all my sgian dubhs are very sharp and serviceable. I don't wear a fake knife for any reason. And I find that my sgian dubh comes in handy for many little tasks, the kind for which one might us a pocket knife. My dirk is just as serviceable and sharp (again, I don't own fake knives) but I never have the need to carry or much less use it. Dirks were designed to kill people. Period. They're most likely very good at their job but that's all they're good for. A sgian dubh on the other hand can be put to use very nicely in modern society without running afoul of the local constabulary.

[St. Amish]

Funny, all my sgian dubhs are very sharp and serviceable. I don't wear a fake knife for any reason. And I find that my sgian dubh comes in handy for many little tasks, the kind for which one might us a pocket knife. My dirk is just as serviceable and sharp (again, I don't own fake knives) but I never have the need to carry or much less use it. Dirks were designed to kill people. Period. They're most likely very good at their job but that's all they're good for. A sgian dubh on the other hand can be put to use very nicely in modern society without running afoul of the local constabulary.

Not that my sgian can't be sharpened, more that I haven't done it. I don't see pulling a very expensive knife out of my sock, removing the sweat-soaked leather, and then using it to cut off a corner of cheddar.

My dirk is carbon-stainless, very sharp. Have nicked the thumb several times with it.

[JSFMACLJR]

I don't see pulling a very expensive knife out of my sock, removing the sweat-soaked leather, and then using it to cut off a corner of cheddar. .

No? That is what I use mine for most often: cutting cheese and fruit. Comes in handy, too, for cutting bits of string, removing staples, and opening envelopes.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

No? That is what I use mine for most often: cutting cheese and fruit. Comes in handy, too, for cutting bits of string, removing staples, and opening envelopes.

Couldn't agree more. A decent sgian dubh is just the thing for attacking the cheese-- if, unlike St. Amish , you don't sweat like a field hand you should still casually wipe the blade of your sgian dubh before using it on the cheddar... that's just common courtesy. (Of course, it also lets you make a bit of a show out of producing your sgian dubh, which really gets up the noses of those blokes in trousers who've been jealously sneering at your kilt all evening.)

[Jock Scot]

Couldn't agree more. A decent sgian dubh is just the thing for attacking the cheese-- if, unlike St. Amish , you don't sweat like a field hand you should still casually wipe the blade of your sgian dubh before using it on the cheddar... that's just common courtesy. (Of course, it also lets you make a bit of a show out of producing your sgian dubh, which really gets up the noses of those blokes in trousers who've been jealously sneering at your kilt all evening.)

Absolutely. If you are wearing a sgian dubh as just an ornamant, then just don't bother with it. If you are carrying one as a potential weapon, then most certainly don't bother. If you are wearing one with a dull blade, then don't bother. If you are wearing one with a keen blade and use it for those little jobs that turn up in life , then do bother.

[Ancienne Alliance]

Absolutely. If you are wearing a sgian dubh as just an ornamant, then just don't bother with it. If you are carrying one as a potential weapon, then most certainly don't bother. If you are wearing one with a dull blade, then don't bother. If you are wearing one with a keen blade and use it for those little jobs that turn up in life , then do bother.

Dear Jock,

I just love how good you are at sythesizing information.

Truly an art.


Best,

Robert