Sgian Dubh - Officer's Pattern

[English Bloke]

A while ago I had ordered a new sgian dubh (of the part sgian - part Swiss army knife type) dubbed the Officer's Sgian from a UK supplier. It did eventually arrive about four weeks after I ordered it. No issues with that as these are apparently made to order and this is made clear at point of purchase.

I've been meaning to get this review together for some time, it's just I've been busy with this and that and kept not getting round to doing some pictures. Anyway, I have now so here goes.


It's a beautiful little knife. It's sheathed in an embossed leather (presumably stamped, they are all identical. ) and has a wooden handle with brass bolster and pommel securing the blade.


The back is riveted through to hold it all together firmly. It seems very well constructed and there's nothing loose or wobbly about it.


The razor sharp and pointed blade is etched with Celtic design and notched along it's top edge.


The handle secretes useful foldy-out thingys such as cork screw and crown cork bottle opener come screw driver. Problem I've noticed with the practicality of this is to draw a cork from a wine bottle requires quite a degree of upward pull but the cork screw points out toward the sharpened edge meaning if you aren't careful, you'll likely loose a finger in your quest for refreshment. Were the sheath to slip, you'd definitely suffer a nasty cut. and over time the stitching of the sheath will give here if it's pulled against the sharpened blade continually. It does look aesthetically pleasing though.


The handle also holds a clan badge (in this case 'Bruce') and any number are available including generic thistles and pipers.

I did consider a suggestion from Mike Down-under that I replace it with a coin and I've even got an appropriate 'Old Money' sixpence to do the job but I've changed my mind now. I quite like it as it is.


Another look at the back with the plain side of the sheath and the bits and bobs out.

It's a nice thing. I'm pleased to own it.

I don't wear sgians dubh routinely. Only when I consider myself to be in a safe environment, ie. not the pub. Despite it being legal in England and Wales under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (section 139) and the Offensive Weapons Act 1996 (section 4) for someone wearing the national dress of Scotland to carry a sgian-dubh in the South, I still in the main, choose not to.

That said, when an appropriate occasion does arise that is less that formal and I'm not surrounded by quick-draw MacGraws and other such idiots, I shall doubtless have this pushed in my sock. I've also found it's a nice conversation piece. Everyone want's to have a shuftie at my tiny weapon.

(Occasionally they ask to see my sgian dubh as well... )

[Steve Ashton]

This is the same as our own X Marks Sgain.

[English Bloke]

I think you sheath looks better than mine. Apologies posting this in the wrong bit and thanks for moving the thread over to the correct forum.

[sydnie7]

That's nice looking although my first thought (even before reading your confirmation) was "you'd be pulling against the sharpened edge to use that corkscrew!"

I do like the brass bits on yours vs. what looks to be chrome and black on the XMarks version. But I agree that the XMarks sheath is nicer... hmmm... if they're made to order I suppose one could mix and match?

Good useful choice, congrats on the selection and thanks for the detailed review and photos.

[Dale Seago]

I do like the brass bits on yours vs. what looks to be chrome and black on the XMarks version. But I agree that the XMarks sheath is nicer... hmmm...

That's an effect of the lighting, the XMarks version is also brown wood and brass -- I have one.

English Bloke, excellent review!!

[Grizzly]

I picked up an Xmarks sgian dubh when I visited Steve in Victoria. It's a lovely sgian and a marvellous reminder of my visit. Yours is identical apart from the clan badge and the sheath.

Um........so not identical doh!

Ahem.......As you were no 1

[Spartan Tartan]

Great review and beautiful sgian!

[Liam]

Simply leave it sheathed when using the cork screw.....

[Roderick Powell]

Great review,well done.
I have recently gone the other away and purchased a dummy sgien dubh with an opal in the handle from Scotwebb.
Overnight deliver
I Have been wearing the kilt full time since the warmer weather a couple of months ago so I feel wearing an Harmless Sgien Dubh is a better option.
Was unaware we could wear an offensive weapon in our Kilt hose under English Law

Was suprised You were sent "an open bladed knife with a fully sharpened blade."
Please can someone clarify this under English Law. Roddy

[NorseCelt]

This is the same as our own X Marks Sgain.

Where does one find this sgian dubh?