Sgian Dubh and the Church

[NewGuise]

My (pacifist) mother has always carried a large pocketknife in her purse, even to (Mennonite) churches, and has certainly had occasion to use it (never as a weapon).

[bricelythgoe]

I was going to say what has been written before. I am not a knife carrier (never have been) so I never wear a Sgian Dubh. However, my father-in-law is a local farmer. He has ALWAYS carried a knife with him his entire life. That includes church. I see no problem with a utility knife in church.

Brice

[Standard]

I almost never leave the house without a pocket knife. Let me clarify that by saying to me it is a tool much like a hammer or tape measure and in no way do I consider it to be a weapon. However in this politically correct world some people see any knife, be it an inch long mini swiss army knife or a folding knife with a pocket clip, or heaven forbid a dagger looking sgian dubh as a lethal weapon.

Having never worn my kilt to church I'm not sure how I'd handle this situation. The only reason that I can see to not wear the sgian to church is to respect the other worshipers there. Obviously you don't consider it to be a weapon, but there evidently are those in your congregation who feel it is inapropriate. One of the first axioms is to not intentionally cause offense to your fellow man. This is of course different from someone taking offense when none is intended. A pocket knife tucked into your sporran would still give you a usefull tool without the appearance of going armed to church. Sometimes the end result is not worth the fight. Anyhoo, just my 2 pence for what it's worth.

[Bog Trotter]

Yeah, my sgian is mostly ornamental as is my kilt pin. That's why I carry a pocket knife in my sporran. The boys like my sgian and thinks it cool. Some of the elderly ladies at church will marvel at the kilt and ask about that little black thing in my knee socks (LOL).

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

Can't imagine going anywhere without a knife. That's gotten me in trouble in airports when I forgot and had to give one away before security. Now I have one permanently stashed at daughters house so only feel naked during the flight.

I have worn my Sgian to church, but they were mostly kirkin' services so wasn't out of place. If it was causing consternation in others, I'd leave it off, but that's the only reason.

[McFarkus]

Yeah, my sgian is mostly ornamental as is my kilt pin. That's why I carry a pocket knife in my sporran. The boys like my sgian and thinks it cool. Some of the elderly ladies at church will marvel at the kilt and ask about that little black thing in my knee socks (LOL).

My sgian is Damascus steel and sharper than my pocket knife. If I have one I don't need the other.

[BroosterB1]

My sgian is Damascus steel and sharper than my pocket knife. If I have one I don't need the other.

What he said.....I had a Rodeo coach (yes rodeo teams have coaches) once tell me the three most useless items in the world are; teats on a boar, a unloaded gun, and a dull knife.

My Sigan is not ornamental. Peace is in your heart, not your tools. Respect for others feelings, especially in church leads me to leave the sigan in the car, unless I am in full dress; but occasionally I get tripped up on that one as well. The other day I had a woman ask me if I had my "sock knife" as they needed a knife to cut the plastic packaging off some new choral sheet music! Go figure!