Are you complete without a Sgian Dubh?

[Mike in Dayton]

Does anyone make a flashlight that looks like a sgian dubh at the handle? High intensity LEDs make that a possibility today. There are times where that may be more useful than a knife. It would be one solution to the situation where a blade is not permitted. You would still have the look of a sgain dubh when in the hose.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Flashlights, cell phones, bottle openers, toffee hammers, combs, hoof picks, etc. Maybe I'm missing something here, but this is X Marks the SCOT not "gadgets galore". What's wrong with just carrying the traditional sgian dubh?

[Panache]

Flashlights, cell phones, bottle openers, toffee hammers, combs, hoof picks, etc. Maybe I'm missing something here, but this is X Marks the SCOT not "gadgets galore". What's wrong with just carrying the traditional sgian dubh?

MoR,

Because an updated nod toward tradition is sometimes more practical / safer / useful than either following that tradition to the letter or letting it die out all together.

Cheers

Jamie

[Bugbear]

Last night and on into early this morning, I stayed up reading a book that had been suggested on this forum. It did have kilted dancing described along with several tartans, as well as, one sgian dubh that I remember. The odd part is that the descriptions of the kilted men did not mention the sgian dubh, and the one that was described ended up in a jacket pocket. The novel took place mostly in Scotland. Go figure...

Anyway, I do not have one yet, so I can't really wear one. I think I'm getting a better idea of what one should be like now, though.

[Bugbear]

All right, I read a second novel that had a description of a sgian dubh. It was the continuation of the first novel with the same characters. The sgian dubh handle was described in quite a bit more detail this time; still no description of a character actually wearing it with a kilt, though it was pointed out that they are usually worn with a kilt in the top of the hose.

There was one event in the novel with kilted gentalmen, but it was their hats being focused on, so no clear hose description yet.

I'm starting to get a better idea of what a dress sgian dubh is like. I'm looking at other threads that have measurements of the different parts.

[JRB]

Flashlights, cell phones, bottle openers, toffee hammers, combs, hoof picks, etc. Maybe I'm missing something here, but this is X Marks the SCOT not "gadgets galore". What's wrong with just carrying the traditional sgian dubh?

I can't tell you how many times I've been kilted and wished I had my toffee hammer.

[Jack Daw]

I know a Scotswoman from Aberdeen who makes a wonderful toffee. But, you don't need a hammer as it's soft and delicious! Is there more than one kind of toffee made in Scotland? Scots?

[bowser]

I know a Scotswoman from Aberdeen who makes a wonderful toffee. But, you don't need a hammer as it's soft and delicious! Is there more than one kind of toffee made in Scotland? Scots?

well off topic, but who needs toffee, try tablet !!

[Bugbear]

I'm fairly nutral on the subject of toffee, but I did finish reading the third novel. This time there was finally a discription of a character dressed in kilt, with the sgian dubh in the hose. It was not a detailed description of how it is tucked into the top of his hose, but this sgian dubh does have a colored stone mounted at the end of it's handle.

From other threads, I gather that the handle only sticks out a couple of fingers above the hose. So... I'm guessing you would see a little black wood, a bit of silver, and a mounted stone of one sort or another.

Thinking back, the sgian dubh in the book was described as having a steel blade, but no exact description of it's blade shape was given.

I will keep reading; there are two or three more books in this set, and there is another series. On a side note, there have been many Scottish swords of different kinds described, but no dirks that I remember. This next novel should have lots of descriptions of dirks, looking at the title...

[Jack Daw]

Ted, you're neutral on toffee until you've had the real thing.