A 19th Century Sgian Dubh

[Séamus Ua Proinsias]

I was poking around some design stores in Hollywood (I just entered the very earliest stages of planning to furnish a flat) yesterday (kilted, of course, as I have been for the last sixteen days straight), when what to my wondering eye should appear? This little gem (and I do mean that literally):



It looked like real citrine to me. The tag next to it read:

Rare early 19th Century
Scottish Knife
'Sgian-Dubh'
$5500

Thanks to California's draconian open carry (or concealed carry, if it's stuck into hose, but only maybe) laws (stricter in parts of Los Angeles, but not other parts, but only maybe), which I have been categorically unable to figure out, I still don't have a sgian dubh, but this sighting certainly whetted my appetite (pun not originally intended) for one.

Jake

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Awesome... especially the price!

[Dale Seago]

. . .California's draconian open carry (or concealed carry, if it's stuck into hose, but only maybe) laws (stricter in parts of Los Angeles, but not other parts, but only maybe), which I have been categorically unable to figure out. . .

Aye, I know. Where blades are concerned, California municipalities are free to enact local ordinances which are more restrictive than state law. In practice, most don't. And in practice, even where more restrictive ordinances exist, most agencies don't bother enforcing them. But they ARE out there in some places, and L.A. is one of them.

If I go down that way again to teach a martial arts seminar, as I've done from time to time, I'm taking and wearing (once I'm off the plane and have my checked bag) the staghorn sgian Taygrd made for me. I doubt I'd get hassled in the first place; but if it happened I'd happily trot out the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

[xman]

... the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

Yes and I had an argument with my brother regarding this last week. Can someone point me to the true data that I may silence his misunderstanding as mine was?

[/hijack]

[saxandpipes]

Wow!

Cheers,

Michael

[MacMillans son]

Yes and I had an argument with my brother regarding this last week. Can someone point me to the true data that I may silence his misunderstanding as mine was?

[/hijack]

X ,

I am too lazy to go looking for it, but M.O.R. had a pretty convincing argument against the unconcealed knife in the sock myth a few months ago. If he doesn't chime in here, perhaps the search function can locate it.

Essentially, his belief is that it was originally a utilitarian knife used by gamekeepers/hunters that was kept at the ready for typical tasks of that proffession IE field dressing animals. Nothing more romantic than that.

Now stop that hijacking!!

[figheadair]

I'd happily trot out the myth which can be found so easily online that the sgian dubh derives from the concealed-carry sgian achlais and that wearing it in the stocking began with the custom of placing it there when entering someone's home as a guest precisely so that it would be visible and not concealed, thus showing your honorable intentions.

And a myth it is. What rubbish! The first example I know of a sgian dubh is in Raeburn's portrait of Col Alasdair MacDonell of Glengarry and if didn't invent the tradition then it's a fair bet that someone else did during the Highland Revival era but given his pretentions he's certainly the prime contender.

[Ryan Ross]

It's an interesting piece, for sure... but I'd like to hear from someone who knows better than I: Is it really early 19th century? Because I would have guessed mid to late. Victorian.

[Dale Seago]

It's an interesting piece, for sure... but I'd like to hear from someone who knows better than I: Is it really early 19th century? Because I would have guessed mid to late. Victorian.

Given the canted cairngorm pommel, I'd agree.

[Ryan Ross]

...and what are those tacks on the handle made from? They look red.

Also, I know sgians of this period are always made with a hidden tang (as are most modern sgians and dirks, as well), but do they tend to use a two piece handle construction (glued together sandwich style), or do they tend to have a one piece construction with the space for the tang drilled out?

Because I see a seam there that's either two pieces of wood glued together, or from moulding (in plastic); sorry, but when they labled that thing as early 19th century, they lost all credibility in my eyes.