Daywear Sgian Dubh???

[Braw Cathairneach]

Your opinions are solicited and welcome regarding contemporary aka back-up knives as sgian dubhs with kilted daywear.

[Zardoz]

I wear a Cold Steel "Scottish Spike" with casual wear often

[unixken]

When you say "contemporary aka back-up knives", are you referring to things like Cold Steel, Benchmade, and similar folders?

[Braw Cathairneach]

When you say "contemporary aka back-up knives", are you referring to things like Cold Steel, Benchmade, and similar folders?

Fixed blade, double edged, sheath knives with 3” to 4” blades. Both blades and grips are generally all black. Examples include but are not limited to: Cold Steel’s FGX Boot Blade II and the Brave Heart. The Gerber Black Guardian Back-Up Knife with a 3.25” blade, 7.125” overall size, priced at under $50 seems particularly appealing as it very closely approximates the appearance of more common sgian dubhs.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Since we don't know where you live, it is impossible to give you any meaningful advice; what may be legal in Oklahoma City would probably land you in the clink in Boston or Toronto. That said, since a sgian dubh is a specific style of knife associated exclusively with Highland attire, the more you deviate from the established norm the greater your potential for a run-in with the law becomes.

[Braw Cathairneach]

Since we don't know where you live, it is impossible to give you any meaningful advice; what may be legal in Oklahoma City would probably land you in the clink in Boston or Toronto. That said, since a sgian dubh is a specific style of knife associated exclusively with Highland attire, the more you deviate from the established norm the greater your potential for a run-in with the law becomes.

You’re concern and admonishment is spot on; thank you. I’m well aware that the local ordinances are very restrictive concerning edged weapons. My question was sartorial vis-à-vis what is legal. As experienced forum members can deduce I’m new at this. I’m trying to grasp the evolutionary concept of the sgian dubh. I’ve been pondering the evolution of the sgian dubh, as we know it today from its original function, much as the kilt has evolved from times gone by via the proscription of ’47, on through Sir Walter Scott’s resurrection of the modern kilt for King George VI’s visit, and changes that may have occurred still later on.

[creagdhubh]

Since we don't know where you live, it is impossible to give you any meaningful advice; what may be legal in Oklahoma City would probably land you in the clink in Boston or Toronto. That said, since a sgian dubh is a specific style of knife associated exclusively with Highland attire, the more you deviate from the established norm the greater your potential for a run-in with the law becomes.

***

[ThistleDown]

Is there a reason for deviating? The sgian of today may be used by those of us who wear the kilt as a pocket-knife is by those who wear trousers, but not as some sort of weapon.

[David Thorpe]

Is there a reason for deviating? The sgian of today may be used by those of us who wear the kilt as a pocket-knife is by those who wear trousers, but not as some sort of weapon.

***

The sgian dubh is a component of traditional Highland attire. One's choice should therefore be made with respect for tradition as a primary consideration. Otherwise, just stick your weapon of choice in your sock and call it whatever you like.

[Braw Cathairneach]

Everyone’s input has been edifying and is appreciated. The consensus as I understand it is that wearing a back-up knife in lieu of a sgian dubh despite any similarities may be inconsistent with tradition, can be considered at best a gros faux pas, at worst an unnecessary and preventable enticement to the constabulary.

Thank you all for providing the input that I solicited with this thread.