People notice the derndest things.

[Moosedog]

I got the same comment the other day. I and three friends walked into a diner for lunch. It was pushing 100 degrees outside (unusually warm for Western Oregon) and we had spent the morning at a parade and were HOT and sweaty. I wore a USAK casual and sporran, a t-shirt, and sandals. A fellow dining alone said as we walked by "A true Scotsman wouldn't be without a sgian dubh." I looked at him askance for a moment, but than told him not to worry, I was well-armed. We chatted about kilts for a moment then I sat down to enjoy the air-conditioning.

I took it as a compliment that he realized I was kilted and knew enough to note I was not wearing hose and a sgian dubh. I think sometimes folks want to talk but don't know quite what to say to gain entrance.

Moosedog

[Archangel]

My response is that it is supposed to be hidden. The "black" in the name refers to the idea of covert as much as the colour. I nearly always have some kind of knife on me, it's not always so visible.

There's a tradition I've noticed that I haven't seen really researched. Those clans that definitely have rebel tradition (re: 1745) have the Sgian Dubh awareness. The other clans don't care too much about it.

Most people have the shortbread tin history of Scotland and want to see the hidden knife, go figure.

[kilted in seattle]

This issue has absolutely never come up for me.

I get the underwear question, the "my husband was going to buy a kilt but..." and things like that. But no one has ever asked about my sgian dubh or the lack thereof.