One Sgian Dubh for all occasions??

[M. A. C. Newsome]

A good rule of thumb is that a sgian dubh can be too dressy for casual wear, but (a well made one) can never be too casual for formal wear.

What I mean is this: A sign dubh designed specifically to be formal or fancy looking (lost of silver work, stone cap, etc) might look fabulous with formal attire but a bit over-the-top with daily dress.

On the other hand, a relatively plain looking staghorn or blackwood sgian dubh would look great for casual dress but will also work marvelously for formal wear.

Look at the Oxhorn sgian dubh (4th one down) on this page:
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/blackknife.html

For the longest time, this was my one and only sgian dubh and I wore it for all occasions.

Aye,
matt

[Panache]

I have the same one Matt suggested (actually I got it from him at the Tartans Museum Shop) for my dressier outfits and it does look quite subtle and handsome.

Cheers

[beerbecue]

Thanks for that rule of thumb Matt...

I was looking at the oxhorn, the blackwood with the thistle (right below it) and the real staghorn at the bottom of the page with black cap/thistle.....

I will be ordering come payday Matt.....

[Cawdorian]

I have the Blackwood right below the Oxhorn, sometimes I think it is a little on the plain side, but it does work for all occasions.