Grad outfits and the sgian dubh

[Declan Rowan]

But just think, it could protect you from all sorts of things. Baseballs, frisbees, kilt lifters....

[Thistle Stop]

But just think, it could protect you from all sorts of things. Baseballs, frisbees, kilt lifters....

...nuclear fallout, moths, stiff breezes...

[GMan]

My thoughts on the sgian dubh wearing is, if in doubt, do not wear it. Too many people would wonder and give you nothing but trouble, and then you and those around you could not enjoy the festivities.

[Uncle Ricky]

According to the large uniformed man who searched me, it "could be a weapon!"

I've mentioned before that a sgian dubh would not make much of a weapon. But still, when you think of it, almost ANYthing could be used as a weapon. I remember reading a novel some years back where the "Hero" was a martial arts type who was an expert in the discipline of "Shibumi". (I think it's a fictional martial art) Anyway, this discilpine taught you how to make a weapon out of anything at hand - car keys, plastic drinking cups, drinking straws, rolled up magazines, ball point pen, a credit card, you name it.
While I think the uniformed guard is technically correct, you have to wonder where they are going to draw the line.

Cheers

[Rigged]

Shibumi is not a martial art, but it's not fiction either. Shibumi is a style and attitude of "Effortless Perfection" or "Understated Elegance". It's the essence of all art, martial and otherwise.

My father teaches martial arts and is a registered Ju-Jutsu, Tai Chi and Chi Kung instructor. When I was a kid he used to pass a paper straw through a raw potato and chip cement with a rolled-up magazine. He called it "Yawara" (an early form of Ju-Jutsu).

http://www.donrearic.com/yawara.html

http://www.4-site.co.uk/goshin/kubohtm.htm

So, yes. Just about anything can be used as a weapon, but most people are upset by things that are obviously weapons. That's reasonable, since anyone can hack at someone with a knife without much training. It takes considerable skill to maim or kill someone with a pocket comb.

[Planopiper]

To me the question of whether to wear the sgein dubh or not depends on why I'm wearing the kilt. If I'm in uniform and the sgein dubh is part of the uniform, then I wear it. If I'm just wearing the kilt as "regular" clothes, then I don't. I don't keep a knife in my sock when I wear pants. IMHBAO, if you want to wear the kilt as a normal piece of clothing, then you should try to dress as you normally would, just with a kilt. That's why I normally won't wear flashes or a kilt pin with it. Definitely not the glengarry. I do wear the sporran and belt, though. I actually need them, as opposed to their just being decorative.
When I'm in band uniform, though, or playing for a gig, I wear it all. And I never take the sgain dubh to a school when I do a presentation. I have plenty to talk about without spending time explaining it.

[beerbecue]

Does anyone make a bladeless sgian dubh - one that is just the handle for decoration above the sock.

Not a safety or child's one, with the entire shape, but just the handle.

If you have a handle, it just sticks out of your sock, and it would look right, but be completely inocuous....

If it isn't made, I call dibs, and name it the "sgian don't"®

[Uncle Ricky]

Phillibeg has one that has a popsicle stick for a blade. I saw it at the Toronto kilt night.

Cheers

[Muddy]

The level of anti-weapon hysteria in this country
has become absolutely obnoxious. Every man should
have the right to keep a knife of some sort on him.
I have a folding pocket knife I am never without. I
use it for many different things EVERY day. The situation in the schools is just ridiculous. You can
kill someone with a sharp pencil for crying out loud.
The whole thing just makes me want to puke it's so
stupid.........

[bubba]

Muddy, I agree. The paranoia is incredible. Schools even consider nail clippers to be potential weapons and ban them. Sadly, I think it's only going to get worse.