Sgian Dubh

[Planopiper]

I don't usually wear one unless I'm in my band uniform or playing a gig, and even then not if I'll be going somewhere like a school to do a presentation. To me it's more of a costume piece, and I don't consider myself to be wearing a costume when I'm wearing a kilt. I carry a Swiss army knife for practical use. I do wear it when I play a gig because people want the image of a piper as much as the music, so all the paraphenalia is expected.

[Hamish]

Here in the United KIngdom, I have a genuine sgian dubh, but I have not worn it for several years. Long before 9/11 it was confiscated when I was flying from Aberdeen to London and I was told by the airport police in Aberdeen (not the baggage checkers) that it was classified as an illegal and an offensive weapon - that was after they had measured the blade and found it to be 1" too long!! It was eventually returned to me after the flight, with the warning that I should not wear it outside of my own home.

On my next visit to Scotland, I purchased a faux sgian dubh which I always wear now. Being a law-abiding soul, with no need or wish to carry a 'blade', I have no problem with wearing the faux one - only I know what it is!

Actually, strictly speaking that is not quite true. I have been asked several times, mostly at museums and art galleries, if it is a genuine sgian dubh and I have been obliged to show it before being admitted.

[GlassMan]

Ham, have you ever seen the sgian dubhs that have additional tools hidden in the handle? Avance highland and some others sell them and claim that they were modelled after an officer's sgian dubh from the Crimean War. I've not been able to find any corroborating evidence on that fact. Your thoughts?

[cormacmacguardhe]

I have never had a problem with carrying mine, my home town has a law against carrying a concealed weapon over six feet long, so I have no problem with my sgian dubh. Plus I usually have a buck knife on my belt for emergencies.

[GlassMan]

I have never had a problem with carrying mine, my home town has a law against carrying a concealed weapon over six feet long, so I have no problem with my sgian dubh. Plus I usually have a buck knife on my belt for emergencies.

Where in the world would you hide a weapon over 6 feet long on your person?

[kiltimabar]

I've never had any trouble with it. The blade is really no longer than that of most pocket knives.

Check your local laws.

Checking the laws won't usually help. They are usually purposely vague and non-specific when it comes to objective criteria like blade lengths and the meaning of "concealed." Mostly it comes down to an attitude check on the part of the cop as to your intent in carrying the knife--in the case of a complete Highland outfit on Burns Nicht, this probably would work to your advantage and you'd be ok. The same sgean dubh stuck in the top of a combat boot worn in a rowdy bar with a black workman UK might be looked at differently. If the cop felt like it, based on the totality of the circumstances, you'll be having your defense counsel check on the case law for similar situations in your state.

The Marines always say "It all depends on the terrain and the situation."

[Derek]

Calmac .. I always wear mine and have never had a problem. In fact, the time before last when we went to London to meet Hamish I was speaking to 2 Transport police at the station as they commented on my Cilt and they could clearly see I had my sgian dubh in my sock and they made no mention about it at all. I'm not saying its legal to wear it, I don't know, but as I say I have never had a problem and will continue to wear it.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[James]

It is too easy to forget that the kilt is the attire of the highlander, and what differentiates it from the dress of myriad schoolgirls here in the UK, is the way it is worn.

For it is the wear of proud clansmen, to be worn with a strut and a swagger-and if I may be so bold-with attitude.

The skean dhu is a reminder to the wearer and any observer that they are seeing a real man-a clansman.

Forget that and join the ranks of the little girl dancers, the wearers of a costume, or those with other motives entirely.

There might be rare occasions such as when on a plane when it might be necessary to consign it to the baggage for the duration of the flight: on all other occasions it should be worn.

Whilst for such things as fake skean dhu's: there is only one place, and that is the dustbin.

James

[Rab Gordon]

From my understanding, just about anything can be considered an offensive weapon, from a bunch of keys to a brick. It comes down to context and whether you have good reason to have an item on you. A Sgian Dubh worn with the Kilt is considered a good reason but not in heightened security areas.
I normally wear one of my Sgian Dubh bottle openers on non-formal or evening occasions anyway.

Rab
(Sgian Dubh maker)
http://www.rainnea.com/safety-sgian-dubhs

[macwilkin]

Ham, have you ever seen the sgian dubhs that have additional tools hidden in the handle? Avance highland and some others sell them and claim that they were modelled after an officer's sgian dubh from the Crimean War. I've not been able to find any corroborating evidence on that fact. Your thoughts?

Glassman, I've searched and searched for any documenting evidence about this particular style of sgain dubh, and I can't find any evidence for it. It could very well be true, but I do reside in Missouri, so you'll have to "Show-Me" before I totally believe it.

It certainly wasn't in the Crimean War, though. My theory is that if it was based on the Swiss Army Knife, which was first issued to the Swiss in the 1890's, then it couldn't have been issued in the Crimea, since that was 40 years before! The South African (Boer) War or even the First World War, possibly.

Cheers,

Todd