When is a dirk appropriate?

[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.