Sgian Dubhs and Dirks

**Laird Arik** · 18th May 06, 06:41 AM

Swords and such would always be loosened before battle to prevent sticking in the scabbard. Same for a Dirk. A Sgian wouldnt be in the sock for long while doing a mad charge. They were a sassanach invention like the fancey Dirk hilts and the wee kilt. As a utility blade they work fine, and it only takes 1/2 an inch of steel to cut a throat.

IMHO

**Bob C** · 18th May 06, 07:56 AM

The sgian dubh goes in the sock on the same side as your primary hand. 1.5 to 2 inches should show.

No, you do not have to wear a dirk. If you do, wear it on the right, to be drawn with your left hand. You right hand is for your Claymore. ;)

**ByDand** · 18th May 06, 08:21 AM

This is what I was taught. The sgian dubh was always a hidden blade, when entering a friends house you would remove the knife from its hiding place to show you were friendly. When you were seated the knife was placed in the top of the stocking by your strong hand. This was done so while seated you could, if required, draw the knife quickly. As for the dirk, I was also taught to keep it on the side of your strong hand. I don't see many people wearing a dirk these days, except for Burns' Nights or other formal Scottish galas. Just my two cents worth.

**bangkok kilt** · 18th May 06, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

Wow, remind me to never get into a knife fight with clancelt!

yeah, I'm scared to read any more posts!

**Bil** · 21st May 06, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by michael steinrok

"Never bring a knife to a gun fight." So sayeth the man!

That statement always cracks me up. I'm not picking on you for saying it, Michael, so don't take this personal. It's just that it's been proven over and over that an opponent with a knife can cover as much as 21 feet and deploy his weapon before the average trained man/woman can draw their weapon and get on target. Regardless of the fact that I am both a DOJ firearms instructor and a CQC/Counter Assault Tactics instructor, I don't think that it's a wise idea to put one's faith in the almighty sidearm. Even though I have a California CCW and can hence carry concealed at will, I will never think of my firearm as my first or only line of defense against a knife.

That being said, there have been some great recommendations as to how to wear the sgain dubh. As was stated earlier in this thread, it doesn't really matter. When picking its placement you should consider both the aesthetics and the nature of its use. If it is just for show, refer to aesthitics. If for tactical practicality, consider your strengths and weaknesses and wear it accordingly.

**Caradoc** · 21st May 06, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bil

It's just that it's been proven over and over that an opponent with a knife can cover as much as 21 feet and deploy his weapon before the average trained man/woman can draw their weapon and get on target.

...and anyone who believes otherwise can Google for "Tueller Drill" and check the results.

My opinion stands: the sgian dubh should be worn in the hose for the "strong-handed" side, and only enough of the handle should stick out to be grasped by a thumb and forefinger, or possibly even thumb and two fingers.

The entire handle out and only the blade/sheath in the hose is begging for a lost sgian dubh by the end of your outing.

**Bob C** · 22nd May 06, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by Caradoc

The entire handle out and only the blade/sheath in the hose is begging for a lost sgian dubh by the end of your outing.

That might be the best advice in this entire thread.

**Archangel** · 28th May 06, 02:59 PM

Not bad info here, usually Skean Dhu mythologies are really bad. Some early research of mine lines up "rebel clan" stories as different from "gov't side clan" stories. The only time I'm not carrying is on a plane (puzzle: find the knife in the political poster.)

Go with the view that it is a show thing, if you can see it, you're among friends. Leg doesn't matter, go for dominant side.

Modern ones are not usually practical for anything more than apple's so it's only symbolic. (I'll have to review some threads to see if there's been any discussion on good quality ones.)

Somewhere I was taught that the only real use would be following a front kick, or on a stealth running as described. So practice that: grab the handle as the knee is up, as leg goes down/in, the knife stays in your hand (blade down). The height/distance that lets you do this without losing the knife while walking/running is the right one.

The story I'll accept (I wrote the article for Blade) is that it's more necessary for wounded soldiers in the early times. Field scavengers would raid the battlefield afterwards to take what they could get. If you weren't dead, oh well. So you needed something to protect you until you got away or some friend came.

I've only found one clear picture of an actual soldier wearing one and it's from a practice drill.

**David Dalglish** · 8th June 06, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by ByDand

This is what I was taught. The sgian dubh was always a hidden blade, when entering a friends house you would remove the knife from its hiding place to show you were friendly. When you were seated the knife was placed in the top of the stocking by your strong hand. This was done so while seated you could, if required, draw the knife quickly. As for the dirk, I was also taught to keep it on the side of your strong hand. I don't see many people wearing a dirk these days, except for Burns' Nights or other formal Scottish galas. Just my two cents worth.

This is how you should show your Sgian Dubh I agree with you 100%

**Rab Gordon** · 9th June 06, 07:24 AM

I've always worn the Sgian Dubh on my right side and make them with the edge facing back and handle pattern facing out when worn so it's ready for use when drawn with the right hand.
I make left handed Sgian Dubhs with the blade direction reversed for wearing in the left stocking.

Rab

Sgian Dubhs