Quote Originally Posted by Jack Daw View Post
99% of the time I wear kilt hose with my kilt, so I can easily accommodate the sgian dhu. I don't think of it as a weapon, but as a tool, like a pocket knife. It always comes in handy at the Highland games that I attend. I'm unconfirmed on the history, other than to pass on what I've read elsewhere - that before the military standardized tucking the "black knife" in the kilt hose, it was kept under the armpit/ochter.

BTW, on Tuesday evening, I was at a fund-raiser for the Houston Highland Games Association. Those without sgian dhus had to do without an eating utensil other than a plastic spoon.
My understanding is that the black knife was carried concealed, but it was and is rude to carry a concealed weapon in a friend's house or other peaceful circumstance, so the sgian dhu was pulled out and worn visible. So having a sgian dhu (or don't) visible is a sign of peaceful intention. Since I always carry a blade primarily as a tool, i routinely carry a sgian dhu, it's just the most convenient way to carry with no pockets. Except it goes in checked luggage when I am flying, just before I check it, and comes out right after I pick the luggage up. It's not a weapon, just when and where I grew up, only wusses didn't carry a pocket knife

Geoff Withnell