Sgian Dubhs are not weapons ... It's official!

[andyfg]

Over the years there have been a number of threads about carrying a sgian dubh and whether or not it is legal, offensive etc. Well, according to the Royal Regiment of Scotland, “The sgian dubh (Gaelic for black knife) is not a weapon” (Regs, p 60).

So there we have it! The British government has made a ruling! (Or as close as you could get. H.M. The Queen is Colonel in Chief of the Regiment, and presumably through Her government, through the military establishment, through their web site, the Queen concurs!)

The implications of this might be small. Dissenters in Scotland may no want an official statement by the British government that their sgian dubhs are not weapons. Those of us in the States might now care less what the British government says or does not say. But at least, if ever you are questioned for carrying a weapon in your hose you can reply, “Actually, according to the British government, the sgian dubh is not a weapon.”

Those who are more meticulous might want to print out p. 60 of the Regs and carry it folded in the top of the left hose, ready to produce the evidence at a moment’s notice.

We have looked at the Regs before, but for those who haven’t here is the link, with lots of good photos.

Incidentally, after six years of kilt wearing I bought my first sgian in Scotland this summer. I search around for one and got this for £20.00. (In a number of stores it was $46.50) Prevenance, probably not Scotland, but a nice addition nonetheless. Sorry for the grainy pics. I took them on my iPhone.

[Marshal Moroni]

Interesting factoid, probably not a strong argument to use with local law enforcement, but good to know none the less.


But, I'll likely use it in my own circle

Cheers,

Marshal Moroni

[Jack Daw]

If I'm wearing flashes; I'm wearing a sgian dhu, too.

[mbhandy]

Wow after looking at all that dress gear you would need TWO steamer trunks to transport all that gear, per person.

MrBill

[Stratherrick]

You don't just have to look at military regs for allowing a sgian. The general laws on knife carrying in the UK have, for some years, made a distinction regarding Scots national dress. The same goes for the kirpan worn by Sikhs. Hence, when north of the border, I'm in no danger of having mine confiscated when wearing it in public. In England, as is the locals wont, I've had to explain this, but not in Alba.

The Criminal Justice Act (1988) mainly relates to carrying knives in public places, Section 139 (1) being the most important.

"It is an offence for any person, without lawful authority or good reason, to have with him in a public place, any article which has a blade or is sharply pointed, except for a folding pocket-knife, which has a cutting edge to its blade not exceeding 3 inches."

The phrase "good reason" is intended to allow for "common sense" possession of knives, so that it is legal to carry a knife if there is a bona fide reason to do so. Examples of bona fide reasons which have been accepted include: a knife required for ones trade (e.g. a chef's knife); as part of a national costume (e.g. a sgian dubh) or for religious reasons (e.g. a Sikh kirpan).

Mind, on entering pubs in the evening, I always offer up my sgian before it's asked for. That usually goes down well.

Slainte

Bruce

[SFCRick]

I have never been questioned by police or pub owners/ doorman about my sgian dubhs

[Stratherrick]

Rick

Yay for Hawaii!

But, honestly, should you ever visit Scotland, pleeeease don't try and enter a pub in the evening with any of your sgians dubh.

There is a history of knife crime, especially in Glasgow and, to a slightly lesser extent, in the capital that means that doormen, and women, are on the lookout. If you turn up in a kilt, they immediately look at your hose before looking you in the eye. If you have been to Scotland and gotten away with it, you've been damn lucky!

Having said that, most Scots are well aware of this and either don't wear a sgian out on the town or, like me, hand it over voluntarily. My favourite pub, which gets very busy, even has a lockup cabinet to put your sgian in, though I nearly got the wrong one back one Hogmanay!

Slainte

Bruce

[Jaggy thistle]

I have worn mine all over the world and even in Glasgow and have never had a problem

[Tiny]

Rick

Yay for Hawaii!

But, honestly, should you ever visit Scotland, pleeeease don't try and enter a pub in the evening with any of your sgians dubh.

There is a history of knife crime, especially in Glasgow and, to a slightly lesser extent, in the capital that means that doormen, and women, are on the lookout. If you turn up in a kilt, they immediately look at your hose before looking you in the eye. If you have been to Scotland and gotten away with it, you've been damn lucky!

Having said that, most Scots are well aware of this and either don't wear a sgian out on the town or, like me, hand it over voluntarily. My favourite pub, which gets very busy, even has a lockup cabinet to put your sgian in, though I nearly got the wrong one back one Hogmanay!

Slainte

Bruce

Funny I would think if your going to an area where its known for knife crime you would want to be sure to, at least, have a knife too. especially if your knife has legally been classified as ornamental.

[Stratherrick]

Tiny

Taking weapons into an area known for weapon crime is crazy, man, unless you know how to use one yourself!

25 years ago, I spent 3-4 months travelling solo around the States and was offered knives and guns by family friends to "keep me safe". I chose a small can of pepper spray instead, thinking I'd lose out in a knife fight or a shootout.

No, though they may be accepted, and protected under UK law, sgians are normally asked for at pub doors, more commonly in the evening than through the day.

Slainte

Bruce