Why Fi---ling the back of th blade

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jimping seems to begin to appear on Scottish blades in the mid-18th century, and is almost exclusively confined to dirks. It seems to be a cheaper/quicker alternative to the "Cup and Dot" engraving found along the back of earlier dirks. When it first appeared on sgians dubh is a bit harder to pin-point, but it probably occurs, albeit infrequently, at about the same time. Certainly by the early 19th century it is not uncommon for dirks and sgians dubh to have jimping on the back of the blade. By 1840 jimping is seen on a large number of blades, and by 1870-1880 virtually all military and civilian dirks and sgians dubh display jimping on the back of the blade.

Although any number of theories have been advanced concerning the jimping on sgians dubh, the most likely explanation is that it nothing more than a simple decoration on the blade.

[Ryan Ross]

Although any number of theories have been advanced concerning the jimping on sgians dubh, the most likely explanation is that it nothing more than a simple decoration on the blade.

Though I'm not well read on this topic, everything I've heard from what seem like reliable sources tends to support the above.