Are you complete without a Sgian Dubh?

**Tetley** · 14th November 08, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

For those Gents who carry a sgian dubh because they feel that a small utility knife is a good thing to have around I have to say...

I'll take my Leatherman multi-tool over a sgian dubh any day!*

Not as nice

Not as cool

But it does come with a screwdriver and other tools

Cheers

Jamie

(* NOTE: Please all, take this as it was meant, tongue in cheek!)

I carry a leatherman mostly everywhere I go for the same reason, It is so useful, however, when I am aboard my or any other sailing vessel I carry a knife in a scabbard either on my belt or tucked into my sock instead of my Sgian Dubh.

The reason here is simple, if a rope needs to be cut now, it needs the be cut now and not when I have unfastened the leather pouch, extracted the leatherman, unfolded the correct blade and then cut the rope.

When things go wrong on a sailing boat, they tend to go wrong quickly, badly and all over the place and a very quick response is usually the only way to stop things getting worse. Most sailors I know, including myself can get out a knife from a scabbard faster than they can think about it.

Horses for courses.

Mark

**Smayniac** · 14th November 08, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Tetley

I carry a leatherman mostly everywhere I go for the same reason, It is so useful, however, when I am aboard my or any other sailing vessel I carry a knife in a scabbard either on my belt or tucked into my sock instead of my Sgian Dubh.

The reason here is simple, if a rope needs to be cut now, it needs the be cut now and not when I have unfastened the leather pouch, extracted the leatherman, unfolded the correct blade and then cut the rope.

When things go wrong on a sailing boat, they tend to go wrong quickly, badly and all over the place and a very quick response is usually the only way to stop things getting worse. Most sailors I know, including myself can get out a knife from a scabbard faster than they can think about it.

I've stayed out until now, but I am of much the same opinion as Mark on this. I carry a small multitools almost all the time. When kilted, I usually carry a locking folder tucked into my waistband. If I am boating or working as a rigger, I ALWAYS carry either a straight blade or a one hand opening folder, knife discipline is critical, but the right tool at the right time can be life or death in a boat.

While we're on the topic, I was once asked by a police officer outside my front door if I was carrying "a concealed dagger or dirk" while kilted around the house. There was a locking folder in my waistband, but he didn't seem to be overly concerned about it, more an awareness thing in case I didn't know the rules in this state.

Bob

**slohairt** · 14th November 08, 11:09 AM

I always wear one when kilted. No one (official or otherwise) ever seems to notice it!

**Bugbear** · 14th November 08, 08:36 PM

Just put your pocket square in the top of your hose instead of the sgian dubh.
Better yet put your sgian dubh where the pocket square goes.

Oh, I forgot to

**SteveB** · 14th November 08, 10:01 PM

The sgian dubh is legal here when the blade is less than four inches and sharpened on only one side. Any longer blade would require a Firearms Identification Card, and its long process for approval in Massachusetts. No double edge blades are legal here except in your razor. My sgian is quite sharp and capable of cutting rope or anything else. The Scottish Letter Opener was intended to be tongue in cheek. As one of my neighbors has said of his sgian, it looks more lethal in the hose than out of the scabbard. When out and about many people see the cap badge, belt insignia, sporran, kilt pin and sgian dubh as emblematic devices that go with the kilt. For many, the fact that there is a blade there only becomes apparent when the sgian is drawn from the hose.
Slainte

**Bugbear** · 14th November 08, 10:13 PM

Everyone knows that the pocket square is far more dangerous than the sgian dubh... Especially a pocket square with strange designs all over it.

Anyway, I looked over at the Scottish Tartans Museum's sgian dubh page, and I really don't know what I'm supposed to wear with what other than maybe daywear and evening wear on some of them.

I just don't know the guidelines and so on...

**herminator** · 15th November 08, 02:28 AM

In the early 1940s men did for a short time match their pocket squares and ties. but the world was at war and they were doubtless distracted.

The things you can find on the internet ... golden words of wisdom!!

**bowser** · 15th November 08, 04:41 AM

Originally Posted by herminator

The things you can find on the internet ... golden words of wisdom!!

Not quite sure what this quote is talking about, I don't think I have EVER bought a tie that didn't come with a matching handkerchief, now to be fair I rarely wear a tie and the last time I bought one was probably 15 - 20 years ago, but even so.

**Bigkahuna** · 29th January 09, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

Everyone knows that the pocket square is far more dangerous than the sgian dubh... Especially a pocket square with strange designs all over it.

Anyway, I looked over at the Scottish Tartans Museum's sgian dubh page, and I really don't know what I'm supposed to wear with what other than maybe daywear and evening wear on some of them.

I just don't know the guidelines and so on...

I guess no one here has seen what a rock in a handkerchief can do.

**Bugbear** · 15th November 08, 04:26 PM

Hmmm, I only have a daywear outfit right now... Someone described it as a "country gent" outfit, so I am guessing one of the stag horn, or a pewter mounted rosewood handle would be right; keeping in mind the ratios givin.

That also might give me an idea of what a sgian dubh handle is supposed to look like... I've seen skinning knives, but I doubt the handles were anything like a sgian dubh's.