Are you complete without a Sgian Dubh?

[The Vicar]

I thought I would put this out to the community for some assistance in the matter.

Would one be considered to be improperly dressed by not wearing a sgian dubh in formal attire?

What about when wearing casual attire?

Would it be wrong to replace the sgian duhb with someting else in the hose or is that considered a faux pas?

What is the history behind the sgian dubh?

I used to always wear one in the kilt, but with my ordination coming up I am thinking of no longer carrying one with me.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks

V

[Phogfan86]

I wouldn't dream of skipping it in formal dress. For casual dress, I'd have to consider the situation -- some situations are just better when there aren't knives around.

Correct me if I'm wrong, folks, but I believe the sgian dubh came about when the English outlawed weapons and Scots needed something they could easily conceal in their kilt or their boot.

[DWFII]

If people are ready to accept sgian don'ts, or sgian brews in lieu of a real knife, I don't know why you couldn't substitute a small ornately carved celtic (of course) cross.

My last kilted outing was in Guthrie, Oklahoma. No dagger-like knives are allowed to be carried...period. I checked the statutes to be sure. What does one do under those kind of circumstances? We all went without that's what and no one raised an eyebrow.

I thought I would put this out to the community for some assistance in the matter.

Would one be considered to be improperly dressed by not wearing a sgian dubh in formal attire?

What about when wearing casual attire?

Would it be wrong to replace the sgian duhb with someting else in the hose or is that considered a faux pas?

What is the history behind the sgian dubh?

I used to always wear one in the kilt, but with my ordination coming up I am thinking of no longer carrying one with me.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks

V

[turpin]

You can always think of it as a tool, like a pocket knife. I have used mine several times just as a cutting edge whan needed. Although it originated as a weapon of last resort, you don't hear about anyone being stabbed with a sgian dubh anymore.

Alternatively, check in with Steve Sanders of Tennessee Sgians, who can make a non-metal sgian dubh.

I typically don't wear a sgian when at work, and when I'm casual in boots I don't have a place to hold one. So I pretty much only wear it when going out to a kilt note or highland games, or some othere Scottish event.

[Bugbear]

I've thought of asking parts of this question too. Perhaps one day I will look into getting one, but it just hasn't felt like a vital thing to have.

On a side note, I used to carry a sharp table knife or steak knife with me because those straitened butter knives that are often used as table knives do not work well...

Perhaps that would be a good reason to look into wearing one; though, I normaly have a pocket knife with my keys attached that goes in my pocket or sporran.

Look forward to hearing the answer on the formal attire.

[McMurdo]

I personally would not consider going formal without the sgian dubh, however I have done a casual look with and without depending on the situation.

[JamieKerr]

I never wear one solely because police around here are notorious for harassing people, and I'm not willing to take the chance. I don't carry a sgian dubh, but I am licensed to carry my sgian taurus

[Draelore]

I never wear one solely because police around here are notorious for harassing people, and I'm not willing to take the chance. I don't carry a sgian dubh, but I am licensed to carry my sgian taurus

Does the sqian taurus come with a thistle on the handle?

[Carolina Kiltman]

I have never completely bought into the idea that the Sgian dubh was a "weapon of last resort". From the very shape of it, it looks more like a utility knife one would carry for a variety of uses.

Also remember that until the industrial revolution, cutlery was very expensive, and when a guest arrived, it was usually expected that the guest would furnish his own.

I feel that at a formal occasion, it is necessary, just part of the "traditional" dress. At other times, as the occasion demands. Just wear it far enough down into the hose so it can't fall out!

[JamieKerr]

Does the sqian taurus come with a thistle on the handle?

Hmm....no, not currently, but my PT140 is all black!