Sgian scabbard

[Mark E.]

Ok, most folk focus on the blades and fancy handles, but I have a question...How the devil do you keep a sgian in your stocking in a very active situation? I recently lost my utility sgian (little antler handled number I won in a shooting match) during some firelight sword fighting in which I was up and down on the ground a bit...Searched for it after, but no luck-probably has a new owner at this point. There was quite a crowd.

I have a couple of doodles, one similar in form to a stubby two way sword locket, but wanted to see if anyone here had any ideas before I tripped it to the village blacksmith. I am hoping for something 17th-18th centurish.

Of course, I could just put it in me sporran before engaging in battle. One of the handy perks of having a full badger sporran...

Mark

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Probably the best way to not loose your sgian dubh is to stuff it in your sporran. In the course of normal activity I've never lost my sgian dubh, but then only the top 3/4" inch is sticking out above my sock.

[Mark E.]

"Go stuff my badger"-Love it!

Beats another suggestion I recieved earlier, which was to get a longer sgian blade...I said I only had a 16" leg below the knee, I couldn't do much more than a 12" blade...

Kidding, kidding. I wouldn't have a sgian that was bigger than a lot of fellow's main dirks out there...

[Dale Seago]

Before the early-to-mid-1800s you wouldn't have had a sgian in your stocking: It would have (with a wee longer blade) been a "backup" in the armpit of your jacket.

Second point: If it's in your stocking and you don't want to lose it, don't go to the ground. Easier said than done, I know, as a martial artist who for 27 years has delighted in going to the ground. . .

[Mark E.]

Before the early-to-mid-1800s you wouldn't have had a sgian in your stocking: It would have (with a wee longer blade) been a "backup" in the armpit of your jacket.

Second point: If it's in your stocking and you don't want to lose it, don't go to the ground. Easier said than done, I know, as a martial artist who for 27 years has delighted in going to the ground. . .

Sgian achlais, quite familier with them. Hence my using only the "sgian" term here-didn't want to misrepresent any established understood nomenclature. I guess the assumption was that it was dubh, though there was not a spot of black on it...

Happenstance, wasn't wearing a jacket, so no hiding spot...stocking was the alternative. The ground I went to was due to gettting clipped in the leg-and played it out as though it were a wounding that would have put me there. Not fun using a basket hilt from below, with an enemy above...disconcerting for them as well.

[Dale Seago]

Not fun using a basket hilt from below, with an enemy above...disconcerting for them as well.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Sure sounds like fun to me!!

Well, as long as I'm the one with the baskethilt anyway. . .

[Tobus]

I would think the easiest solution to this problem is to build a garter that's integral with the sheath. You would need to strap it around your leg before you put your hose on. And if you're THAT worried about it, you can even put two of them (one at the bottom and one at the top of the sheath). I would use a very thin leather or even elastic so it won't show a profile through your hose.

And the sheath probably needs to be formed good and snug to the shape of the sgian dubh's blade so it can't slip out unless you're intentionally pulling it along its axis.

If this won't keep it in place, nothing will.

[Mark E.]

And the sheath probably needs to be formed good and snug to the shape of the sgian dubh's blade so it can't slip out unless you're intentionally pulling it along its axis.

If this won't keep it in place, nothing will.

Actually, sheath and knife both escaped. I t was set up in a "Finnish" style sheath, with the top of the sheath coming about a third up the handle. Not a big fan of double gartering, but my stockings are loosly woven enough that a snagging device may work. Will consider it-maybe having a buckled garter instead of a tie one, so things would be snugger.

Though as it is said above, erawise, I probably would be abstaining from stockings in the summer, anyway. But then, that poor, would have nae dirk, and but a poor pitchfork or haybill to defend myself with...

[Mark E.]

And the sheath probably needs to be formed good and snug to the shape of the sgian dubh's blade so it can't slip out unless you're intentionally pulling it along its axis.

If this won't keep it in place, nothing will.

Actually, sheath and knife both escaped. I t was set up in a "Finnish" style sheath, with the top of the sheath coming about a third up the handle. Not a big fan of double gartering, but my stockings are loosly woven enough that a snagging device may work. Will consider it-maybe having a buckled garter instead of a tie one, so things would be snugger.

Though as it is said above, erawise, I probably would be abstaining from stockings in the summer, anyway. But then, that poor, would have nae dirk, and but a poor pitchfork or haybill to defend myself with...Original intent was the fact I had a utility blade, and no where else to tuck it...Into the sporran it goes next time.

[Mark E.]

Ok. From the lineup of replies:

#1 method is to stash in sporran. This will work for me, given my sporran size, but for the rest out there...

#2 method-double garter, or tuck in jacket. Since hot weather often negates the jacket, this is not a constant option for me...

#3 method-make sheath to scabbard portion handle as well as blade. While this may retain the knife in sheath, the sheath may wander...with knife firmly in place.

#4 method-well, going barelegged in 18th century style doesn't help anything, save I would lose no knives from stockings without stockings, eh?

#5 method-Shank'm before you hit the ground. Well...I have two hands-and the right one usually has a sword or dirk in it. The left, whatever is handy (this time, a targe).To grab the wee blade would be, literally, last resort.

Here is the sketch of my idea...I figured even if I don't use it for 17/18th century, it would be an idea for the rest of you who may in the future run into a similar issue.



Pretty much mounting a mini upside down sword locket (narrow though-don't want to tear up my stockings), with a longer reinforcing strap going down, riveted top and bottom. The "locket" up top would keep the scabbard from rising up, and the long tail of metal would reinforce the leather against the blade (as well as forming a sort of metallic belt loop for an alternate garter situation). Combined with a deeper flared throat to accept a portion of handle...