The Sgian Dubh, Canadian Law, and Personal Freedom and Rights

[The Supreme Canuck]

I've looked into this before. I e-mailed a member of an RCMP pipes and drums band about it. This is the salient portion of his reply:

Thousands of persons in Ontario and Canada wear highland dress complete with a skean dhu and to my knowledge, there is no law against such a practice. A couple of points to consider though, might be wearing it into a school where knives are no allowed and don't try to take one in your carry on bags through security at an airport.

[ccga3359]

I carry a knife on my hip when working with the Coast Guard auxiliary, I work closely with police at this time and have never a comment regarding my knife. I also carry one on my pfd. That being said I am in uniform and these are essential tools aboard a rescue vessel. As far I know as long as the blade is less than 4 inches and is not concealed you are legally allowed to wear it. Consider though, that a Swiss Army pocket knife could be considered a concealed weapon being in your pocket, but I hardly think one would ever be hassled by the Man for carrying one. I personally don't wear a skian Dubhe as I'm not Scottish, so there really isn't a call for me to wear one. I have been considering the skian don't in which is actually a bottle opener. As Colin pointed out most SD's won't cut butter so would be viewed as simply ceremonial. That being said I do like the look of those Damascas blades and might whittle myself a handle. If I were to wear it, it would certainly not be as a weapon just like my marine knives. One final thought Cloves started a thread not too long ago about a wooden SD.