Dress Sgian Don't

[Chef]

Well, that makes sense! But when you talked about a $2K outfit, I realized that we were and are in different strata entirely!

I don't hang out in areas where the sgian dubh isn't welcome, nor do I own a $2K outfit.

I only have three sgian dubh's at present but all are functional, with quality blades. I wouldn't carry a tool that I couldn't use.

I'm not trying to flame here - I just realize that we are in different worlds. The phrase "quality fake" seems like an oxymoron to me.

Good luck in your search.

All of my real sgian dubhs have properly ground and sharpened blades, I agree with you I wouldn't have it any other way.

However I do events at venues where the blades are a problem. When I need the dirk for an event, at a safety conscious venue, I turn it over to security when I arrive, they bring it to me for the Address, they take it back, and they return it to me when I leave. That works fine but I don't wear a sgian dubh since security would need to take it for the entire evening.

As for the $2K outfit. If you add up a traditional formal outfit it adds up fast.

[beloitpiper]

Rab Gordon. His work is amazing.

https://www.lochnessorigins.com/acat...ian-dubhs.html

[turpin]

Here's one option that Greg is talking about. From Rab Gordon's website. dressy enough for you?



If you want this kind of opener,



you can work with him on what tyype of dress handle you want.

[James MacMillan]

As for the $2K outfit. If you add up a traditional formal outfit it adds up fast.

Well now you have me wondering - - - If I put the most expensive items together, maybe you’re right. Let’s see?

Now, remember, these are the most that I have ever paid for any single item, that could go together.
Bottom to top :

Formal dress shoes - $89
Hose - $27
Flashes - $8
Dress sgian dubh - $61
Tank w/ fly plaid - $640
Belt - $28
Buckle - $49
Sporran - $110
Black dress sporran chain - $12
Shirt - $32
Studs, cufflinks - $74
Bow tie - $7
PC and Waistcoat - $310
Brooch - $43
Glengerry - $52
Clan badge - $26
Kilt pin - $45

Don’t think I’ve forgotten anything…….total $1,566 - well under $2K

I should also say that everything above is at least three years old, so I guess inflation should be figured in. Also, I would never wear all the above at the same time. I seldom wear my most expensive tank, for instance. It's a nice enough kilt, I just don't find the MacMillan tartan that nice.

Now could I spend $2K on formal evening attire? NO! Can it be done? Sure!

[Chef]

Here's one option that Greg is talking about. From Rab Gordon's website. dressy enough for you?.

I just emailed him about making one with no blade at all just carved from wood to look like a sheath

Well now you have me wondering - - - If I put the most expensive items together, maybe you’re right. Let’s see?

Now, remember, these are the most that I have ever paid for any single item, that could go together.
Bottom to top :

Formal dress shoes - $89
Hose - $27
Flashes - $8
Dress sgian dubh - $61
Tank w/ fly plaid - $640
Belt - $28
Buckle - $49
Sporran - $110
Black dress sporran chain - $12
Shirt - $32
Studs, cufflinks - $74
Bow tie - $7
PC and Waistcoat - $310
Brooch - $43
Glengerry - $52
Clan badge - $26
Kilt pin - $45

Don’t think I’ve forgotten anything…….total $1,566 - well under $2K

the $2k was a guess and many of them have been presents over the years so you made me look up what I was wearing the last time here is what I cam up with. Also we are talking replacement value on some items as opposed to what I or someone else paid since I can't remember.

Kilt and plaid - $650
Montrose - $400
Hose - $40
Jabot - $75
Flashes - came with kilt
Sporran - $395
Belt - $40
Buckle - $150
Brooch - $195
Shirt $4 (i just wear a t-shirt under a Montrose)
kilt pin $ 65
ghillies $185
sgian dubh $200
dirk $350

I think that covers it - total = $2749

Not bragging and I couldn't walk out and pick that up again any time soon. Some of these items I have owned for 20 years, but they lasted because they were quality to start with.

[James MacMillan]

Hey Chef - I don't think you were/are bragging. Some of my stuff were presents too, and I also had to guess, so I could be low.

Another way to look at it - Would I take $2K for the stuff I listed? NO WAY!

I also don't think I could replace the whole kit & kaboodle today for $2K......? You sure did make me think though!

Do I like that our chosen mode of dress is so expensive? NO...... Will that make me go back to pants? - - - NO!

But then, I see in the paper that a pair of regular jeans now cost around $30..... on sale! - - go figure!

But thanks to some of our advertisers and others, the basics of our life style no longer cost an arm and a leg.............. only an arm!

[ccga3359]

But then, I see in the paper that a pair of regular jeans now cost around $30..... on sale! - - go figure!

Actually a regular pair of Levis' jeans go for $75 here in Canada $50 when they're on sale. Actually retail prices haven't yet caught up to our dollars and probably won't. Levis' in Europe? Double again. They are jeans not even designer crap.

But thanks to some of our advertisers and others, the basics of our life style no longer cost an arm and a leg.............. only an arm!

Heck yes! And to those industrious kilt wearers that design an X-kilt or show how to modify a jacket.

One thing that I still amazes me is the traditional kilt design allows for about 3" of girth expansion. Not even elasticated trousers allow for that.

[Chef]

When you think about the cost, initially it looks scary but if you break it down it's not that bad considering outfits like that are custom made. If you bought a custom made suit for $1000 nobody would think that was terrible for custom work. The shoes are a wash, you certainly wouldn't wear payless shoes with a custom suit would you? So you have that expense with a suit.

It's all the shiny stuff that adds up in a full formal kilt outfit. Especially if like me you prefer real silver for the dress items. Also in most cases you don't need a dirk (I actually use it far a Haggis address) and you could pick less expensive shiny bits. So in the long run the outfit probably isn't worse than a good custom suit. Or it can be if you put a little effort in.

While it does compare favourably with a suit that doesn't mean it's cheap by any standard and I feel for anyone trying to put an outfit together in one shot. You don't want to buy cheap but you don't want to take a second mortgage either.

All that leads me back to where I started, that I don't want to stick a piece of plastic in my hose when my only choice is a "safety" sgian dubh. So I am still open to suggestions.

[James MacMillan]

Now that I more fully understand the situation, I think your only option is to make one yourself.

I am in a similar situation. I am days away from leaving on a cruise, and still haven't made my mind up about my sgian dubh. I feel, to be completely dressed, that I need a sgian dubh. I don't want to lose my beloved, (hand made by me) sgian, so it's staying home. I may just kluge together something serviceable at the last minute.

[McFarkus]

I'm still looking through the google search on safety sgian dubh, but most of these are the right style but the wrong quality. They are almost all moulded plastic with shiny bits. Some are a little better than I have seen, but none are a quality piece.

on Ebay a couple of years ago with sterling fitting. But it took hours of sorting through the morass of plastic to find it.