Arrested or questioned for wearing sgians

[Jack Daw]

When I visited Scotland in 2008, there were a couple of occasions in which the kilt was proper attire. But, I chose to leave the sgian dhu at home, being unsure of the constable's take on an American wearing such, and wore a sgian bru instead. Much friendlier that way.

[Andrew Breecher]

A friend visited Boston a few years ago and we took him to see the sights. We decided to go tour USS Constitution and I didn't think anything of it until I was faced with a metal detector we had to pass through in order to board. I was up-front with the sailor on duty, and informed him that I was wearing a sgian dhub, and that because I had taken public transportation to get there I couldn't go leave it in my car. He allowed me through, and asked me to keep it in my sporran while I was on board the ship. I'm sure that my forthrightness helped the situation, instead of trying to just walk through security while wearing it.

That said, I generally wear a sgian brew now - partly because it has a nice daywear handle that I carved myself, but also because there's no chance for misunderstandings. Besides, I usually carry a pocket knife anyway, either in my pocket while wearing trousers, or in my sporran. While I've certainly used the sgian for day to day tasks, the pocket knife is just as useful, and it doesn't raise questions in the same way that openly carrying a knife does.

[tpa]

I always had an abhorrence of knives, mainly I suspect due to the fact that in the UK that was the most commonly used weapon. However since owning a convenience store, where possession of a knife was essential for opening and destroying packaging on a daily basis, I rarely go without one, and use it for all sorts of jobs, particularly since I have arthritis in my hands. If we go to any sort of do, my wife complains if I am not wearing my sgian dhub and the only times I have received any sort of reaction from anyone have been when I have not worn it. Then again, if you are sensible about the place and the occasion, you should not encounter any problems. Fingers crossed.

Conversely I get told off by my wife for taking photos of our grandchild when there are other kids present. I'm afraid it does not stop me, I know times have changed, but for over 60 years I have photographed who and what I liked without injuring, assaulting or offending anyone and I don't see why that should change and the same applies to wearing my sgian dhub.

[RGRatSea]

That and the fact that knives/guns don't kill people, people with knives/guns kill people. I prefer not to be a victim.
KC

We have a saying . . . "Better tried by 12 than carried by 6."

[Father Bill]

Fellows, if we get into a discussion of the use of weapons, not only will this thread be immediately closed, it's likely that several of you will be red-carded. This will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Allow this, please, to be sufficient warning. Some of you are getting close to the edge.

Father Bill for the Forum Moderators.

[Piper]

I earn my living as a crew chief for an electric utility company. I have a daily need (usually several times daily) to cut tape, skin wire or cut through 1/2" or larger rope. I've carried a knife in my pocket since I was 12. These days it's a lockback folder with a blade just a bit over 3 1/2"held in place by a pocket clip. It's such a part of my daily routine, that I usually don't even think of it's presence. My most bizarre exchange regarding the knife came just over a year ago. We were on Parris Island, for a grandson's graduation. As we were walking to the bleachers, an MP directing traffic noticed the pocket clip, and stopped me to ask about the knife. I was amazed. I asked " Do you really mean to tell me that one fat old man with a pocket knife is a threat to a Marine Base?". He rethought the situation and told me "As you were".
As a piper, I use a sgian brew, or go without more often than not. I keep a very small (7/8" blade) Case folder in my sporran to handle hemp and reed issues.

[Jack Daw]

Another reason why I don't wear one routinely Norbo. I was out and about a while back and was mythered in the street by a loud and intoxicated English chap who wanted to know where my "f#@£%!* sock dagger" was.

It's not so much the responsible wearer of the sgian that poses the problem, it's the nutter who takes the opportunity to grab it from your sock. What nefarious antics could then occur as a consequence is anyone's guess, but I'd rather not provide him or her with the means.

Although Texas law allows for the carrying of a small knife of a certain blade length (including a pocket knife, the sgian dhu, buck knife, etc.), when I go to a pub, I prefer to wear my "sgian bru" instead for just that line of reasoning.

[Micric]

It really shows how times have changed!
In school in the UK in the late 50's early '60's, if the teacher didn't have his own pocket knife for some reason, he'd ask, "Anyone got a pocket knife?" and would be offered at least four or five. It seems common sense has gone out the window.
A year or two ago I phoned the RCMP here in Alberta, Canada, RE. the wearing of a dirk with Highland attire, and was told it was OK.
I don't and won't wear one,...just wanted to know!
As a farmer, I wear a small knife in a sheath all the time, even to town, just because when I don't have one I need it for something.
No-one has ever said anything or got alarmed. It's not a weapon, just a tool like the also very often seen belt pliers/ multi-tool carried by so many.

[Father Bill]

In the 50s and 60s there was (in my memory) a lot less senseless mass violence too. As our society has increased in anger and decreased in self-discipline, the calls for regulation on weapons have increased too. What was reasonable half a century ago seems less so today. Think about the anger - without getting political, I think it's where most of our problems come from today.

[Tarheel]

Up until I was six years old and got my first Barlow Boy Scout lock blade knife we learned to play "mumbly-peg" with a sharpened stick. A knife is a tool or an accessory to complete a wardrobe. Just my two cents.