Are you complete without a Sgian Dubh?

[arrg-isle]

The following excerpt is from a history of Clan Forbes (not my clan, but I'm well acquainted therein), and contains the earliest dated reference I could find on the use of blades specifically referred to and carried as skeans (sgians) -
"The burning of Corgarf had an equally dire sequel: a meeting for reconciliation took place between a select number of the heads of the two houses in Lord Forbes’ castle of Druminor. The guests arrived, and both parties sat down to feast. Afterward, Huntly said to his host, 'As our business is settled, tell me, had it not been so, what your intent was to have done.' The Forbes chief replied, 'There was to be bloody, bloody work, and we would have had the best of it. See, we are mixed one and one, Forbeses and Gordons; had I but given sign by stroking my beard, every Forbes would have drawn his skean from under arm, and stabbed to the heart the man to his right.' As he spoke, Forbes suited the sign to the word, and stroked down his flowing beard. Instantly, a score of skeans were out, flashing in the light of the pine torches, and were swiftly buried in as many hearts; for the Forbeses had mistaken this gesture for the signal to attack, and knifed to death the unsuspecting Gordons. The chiefs stared at each other in silent shock; at length Forbes said, 'This is a tragedy not expected, but cannot be undone, and the blood that floods the floor of Druminor will just help to slocken the auld fire of Corgarf.'
Years later, in 1592, after the Earl of Huntly murdered the Bonnie Earl of Moray at Dunnibristle, Lord Forbes, who had been Moray’s friend, marched with the slain man’s bloody shirt on a spear’s head through his territories, inciting his followers to march in revenge against the Gordons."

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

The following excerpt is from a history of Clan Forbes (not my clan, but I'm well acquainted therein), and contains the earliest dated reference I could find on the use of blades specifically referred to and carried as skeans (sgians) -
"The burning of Corgarf had an equally dire sequel: a meeting for reconciliation took place between a select number of the heads of the two houses in Lord Forbes’ castle of Druminor. The guests arrived, and both parties sat down to feast. Afterward, Huntly said to his host, 'As our business is settled, tell me, had it not been so, what your intent was to have done.' The Forbes chief replied, 'There was to be bloody, bloody work, and we would have had the best of it. See, we are mixed one and one, Forbeses and Gordons; had I but given sign by stroking my beard, every Forbes would have drawn his skean from under arm, and stabbed to the heart the man to his right.' As he spoke, Forbes suited the sign to the word, and stroked down his flowing beard. Instantly, a score of skeans were out, flashing in the light of the pine torches, and were swiftly buried in as many hearts; for the Forbeses had mistaken this gesture for the signal to attack, and knifed to death the unsuspecting Gordons. The chiefs stared at each other in silent shock; at length Forbes said, 'This is a tragedy not expected, but cannot be undone, and the blood that floods the floor of Druminor will just help to slocken the auld fire of Corgarf.'
Years later, in 1592, after the Earl of Huntly murdered the Bonnie Earl of Moray at Dunnibristle, Lord Forbes, who had been Moray’s friend, marched with the slain man’s bloody shirt on a spear’s head through his territories, inciting his followers to march in revenge against the Gordons."

Well, as stirring as the above passage is, it only refers to knives-- sgian (or "skean" as used here) is the Gaelic word for "knife", a common tool used at feasts, and often (along with a spoon or fork) brought to the banquet by the guests to relieve the host of the burden of providing same.

While in our imagination we may assume the above Victorian word picture invokes the use of the sgian dubh, the reality is that the events so described took place long before the wearing of the sgian dubh became common in Scotland.

[O'Callaghan]

I'm complete without a sgian dubh, but can anyone tell me how to stop me shillelagh from falling out of me sock?

[Dukeof Kircaldy]

I'm complete without a sgian dubh, but can anyone tell me how to stop me shillelagh from falling out of me sock?

Stick it deep in your sock. I keep mine near the door hanging from its cord. SO, you could also use the cord to keep it on you.

[12stones]

I'm complete without a sgian dubh, but can anyone tell me how to stop me shillelagh from falling out of me sock?

Okay, now that made me laugh out loud.

[pastorsteve]

I know this has been batted about for a while but as I am new to the forum I will post a response on this to start being visible.

First, as a pastor, I see no reason not to carry a sgian dubh or knife of any type unless the location or one's denomination has some prohibition against such carry.

Second as visibly worn in a sock, the sgian dubh should not be considered a concealed weapon. Additionally, local laws outline what maximum blade length is legal to be carried concealed usually 3.5 inches in most states so if it is a question of legality, a shorter than the legal limit sgian dubh could always be carried.