Dirks- when and how

[thescot]

I only wear my dirk for very formal occassions, and I wear it to the right side in front at the waist, just forward of my cell phone. With the proper leather strap, it swings a bit sideways and to the rear when I sit, so it's not sticking me in the leg or some other sensitive area.

I think that drummers and pipers wear them to the rear for obvious reasons: in the front, they'd get in the way of the instrument.

Wearing a dirk with casual day wear really does look a bit overdone, but that's a personal opinion I share with Scotty Thompson. If your crowd tends to wear dirks, so be it. I have a regimental dirk and a dressier dirk with stones and small knife and fork. The one with the stones is only for the doublet and lace affairs. The other I might consider wearing with a Charlie.

As in most things, I would think that good taste, local customs, and one's own propensity for style would be the determining factors.

[AllenJ]

Perhaps get a more workhorse knife to wear for daily stuff. One without all the shiny bits, faux jewels and eating utensils. Even something like a KBar will look good and still have a functional purpose. Look at the dirks from the early and mid 18th century for ideas.
Something like these guys:
http://www.armourclass.co.uk/Data/Pages/Scottish_7.htm

Im trying to get my hands on a now discontinued Cold Steel Culloden for daily wear- Its closer to sgian dubh size than dirk size but fills the purpose of having a more practical tool to really use for daily needs.