Sgian Dubh sheath slippage

**unixken** · 18th April 13, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

[thread hijack] My understanding of the origin is that the origin was a gamekeeper's knife carried in the hose, not -- as many think -- that it was a "devolution" of the sgian achlais, which was indeed a weapon. [/thread hijack]

I stand corrected, Sensei. Thank you.

However, in that context the rationales for properly securing a blade and sheath in one's sock are still sound:
You don't want to draw the sheath along with the blade...
You don't want the knife falling out while chasing after wounded game...
And you shouldn't need to dig around in your sock to put away your knife.

**Dale Seago** · 18th April 13, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by unixken

However, in that context the rationales for properly securing a blade and sheath in one's sock are still sound:
You don't want to draw the sheath along with the blade...
You don't want the knife falling out while chasing after wounded game...
And you shouldn't need to dig around in your sock to put away your knife.

Oh, absofloggin'lutely, I couldn't agree more with that!!

**Nathan** · 19th April 13, 08:27 AM

I'll post some pics. I have read that you shouldn't show the entire handle of your sgian dubh but rather just an inch or two of it.

I would like to draw the sgian with the sheath still on it as is the case with my dress sgian dubhs...

sgiandubh.jpg mysgian.jpg
rear sgian.jpg

**unixken** · 19th April 13, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Nathan

I'll post some pics. I have read that you shouldn't show the entire handle of your sgian dubh but rather just an inch or two of it.

I would like to draw the sgian with the sheath still on it as is the case with my dress sgian dubhs...

sgiandubh.jpg mysgian.jpg
rear sgian.jpg

I've never read the first point anywhere, but can only assume it was written by someone with a top-heavy knife flopping around in (or falling out of) an unsupportive, unsecured, and ill-fitting sheath. [EDIT: I would want to be able to grab any knife with a full, secure, assertive full-hand grasp.... not tweezer it out with just the tips of the thumb and fore-finger. Having only an inch or two of handle exposed does not allow for immediate full control of the knife.]

As for the second point, It suggests you are more interested in frequently handing the sheathed knife safely over to others for them to look at, rather than considering any practical application of the knife as a tool for any purpose (game keeping, self-defense, opening boxes, slicing haggis, or whatever.)

I can not voice my arguments and design rationals further, without risking someone citing Rule 11.

**nagod** · 19th April 13, 02:40 PM

my preferred sheaths have the knife sitting so that the top can sit at the top of my hose(lower inch or so of handle is covered by sheath).can be removed with or without sheath.

**Nathan** · 15th May 13, 05:47 PM

So here's how I dealt with the problem.

1) I took my jig saw and thinned out the antler which was basically cylindrical. Then I painstakingly smoothed it out, first with a rattail file or rasp and then with various grits of sandpaper. This took some weight off and made the knife more balanced.

2) Since the leather didn't respond to wet forming, I filled the sheath up with Gorilla glue and clamped it shut. Once dry I forced the very sharp sgian dubh into the sheath for a much cozier fit. It's not a very glamourous method but now I can wear the sgian dubh comfortably.

stag sgian.jpg stag sgian after.jpg stag sgian reverse.jpg stag sgian2.jpg