Grad outfits and the sgian dubh

[Iolaus]

I've seen several topics that touch on traditional formal outfits and graduations or other events on school grounds, and I thought I'd bring up a fact I had to consider when giving a pocket knife to my step-daughter when she moved to college.

Check the local laws concerning knives on campus. The California laws forbid the possesion on campus of any folding knife over 2" (I think) or any solid knife, they even had to write a special exemption into the law for kitchen knives in the dorms. If it's a high school campus, the "zero-tolerance" policies in effect here would extend that proscription to any "look-alikes" as well.

If an up-tight rectal-cranial inversion type decided to get offended at the kilt, they could technically pull someone from the event and have them threatened with arrest over the sgian dubh.

[Doc Hudson]

I hate to say it, but you are right.

Only three options.

1. -- Don't attend on campus events.

2. -- Don't carry a sgian dubh.

3. -- Use the safety sgian dubh, which is little
or nothing more than the handle and a piece
of plastic or leather about the same size
as a sheath.

[bubba]

Better off to skip the sgian dubh altogether. Even a safety one can cause a commotion these days.

[macwilkin]

Whenever I give a presentation at a school on Scottish culture & I wear my kilt, I always check with the teacher & school administration, and make sure that they know about the sgain dubh, as well as the school's security officer. 90% of the time, I have never had a problem with the sgain dubh. When a teacher or administrator express some concern, then I do not wear it.

When I worked for the park service, we frequently did "off-site" school presentations about the Civil War & common soldier life. There was only one instance where I was asked not to bring a Civil War-era musket.

Cheers,

Todd

[Thistle Stop]

My husband, Alan, never wears a sgian dubh for everyday, mundane, non-Scottish/Celtic-focussed activities -- and as a result, he usually forgets to wear one even in the Celtic venues. It's the most anachronistic part of Highland attire, and if you want a handy knife, a Swiss Army knife in your sporran is probably a better choice -- though we do sell a sgian dubh that has a fold-out corkscrew, bottle opener, and screwdriver! (If you want a knife for self-defense, you have other issues beyond the scope of my post!) These days, it's often better to leave the sgian dubh at home -- even a safety sgian dubh, unless you want to get stopped by security and possibly lose it. Even without a blade, they are hard and sharpish, and could be confiscated just because they look like a knife!

[Declan Rowan]

Yeah, I made that mistake last time I flew on a major airline. Ended up having leave it behind with my family. Next time I'm going to leave it in my checked baggage.

The amount of security in the country is inane sometimes. I'm afraid of even just carrying a bit of bone handled backscratcher I used as a sgian dubh substute. The reason? According to the large uniformed man who searched me, it "could be a weapon!"

[Doc Hudson]

Yeah, I made that mistake last time I flew on a major airline. Ended up having leave it behind with my family. Next time I'm going to leave it in my checked baggage.

The amount of security in the country is inane sometimes. I'm afraid of even just carrying a bit of bone handled backscratcher I used as a sgian dubh substute. The reason? According to the large uniformed man who searched me, it "could be a weapon!"

When airport security was Federalized, I had high hopes that there would be standards of professionalism and intelligence applied to the job.

Alas, TSA employs the same people from the same mental institutions as the old private security firms.

I am firmly convinced that airport security are morons. And low function morons at that.

[Geoduck]

I am firmly convinced that airport security are morons. And low function morons at that.

I'm not sure I completely agree with you, Doc, but these are folks who choose to sit with their genitals in front of a giant x-ray machine for a shift at a time.

Maybe Darwin's laws are being applied.

[Declan Rowan]

Lol well, thats one way to ensure survival of the fittest..

Maybe they should give them all kilts made outta the things the dentist puts on ya when he x-rays your teeth

[Thistle Stop]

Maybe they should give them all kilts made outta the things the dentist puts on ya when he x-rays your teeth

A lead kilt? Gives new meaning to the term 'tank'!