Wearing a dirk

[Buckskin]

http://www.ravenswoodleather.com/Frogs/index.html

This is a good source for all kinds of sword and dagger frogs.

I have a dirk, but have never found the right occasion to wear it.

[JS Sanders]

For years I've owned a gorgeous dirk with a mammoth ivory handle.

Nonetheless, it's only worn when piping with military-style kiltwear and not always then. Mine hangs well, but seems to always be in the way or banging against the furnishings.

I won't even entertain the thought of permitting someone to cut their wedding cake with it.

Slan,
steve

[puffer]

I have a "couple" Dirks (Daggers)( incl. a "Cold Steel" & a "CUSTOM") I only wear them for "historical" events. WHY ??
1. IMHO, not "appropriate" for "general wear" Also, in WA State, a "Dagger" is illegal if "REAL" (& mine ARE) NOTE, I have never been "hassled" when I them (or my Swords) but ???
2. Formal Dress" IMHO, yes in SOME cicumstances, but I would not wear it to a play, or to the opera.

As to "comfort in when sitting". If worn on a "frog" & forward of your hip bone, then when you sit, it "rests" across your "lap"

Puffer

[Derek Conley]

One last thought: I've always seen it worn on the right side, which would seem really awkward to draw for a right-handed individual. Was there a military regulation requiring the dirk be worn on the right?

For a right-handed individual, the right side is classified as the "strong side", and the reverse is true for left-handers. Having a dirk (or any knife) worn on the strong side is preferable; the reason being, the dirk is drawn with the right hand, point downward (in a "reverse" grip), true edge facing out. Drawing in this way is extremely fast, and being that the dirk was worn nigh-on constantly, was practiced often. I quote, "It is a concealed mischief, hid under the plaid, ready for secret stabbing, and in a close encounter there is no defense against it."

Also, of course, it was wielded in a reverse grip in the left hand, or targe/dirk combination, when wielding the broadsword in the right. Used in this manner it was drawn with the left hand, cross-body, then flipped into a reverse grip.

The dirk was a very complex and almost mystical item to Scots Gaelic martial culture. Oaths were sworn on it and considered truly binding; it was described as able to slay supernatural creatures such as hags, etc.

James Logan's "The Scottish Gael" circa 1831, has a great section on weapons here; just scan down to section 216 to "DAGGERS, OR DIRKS".

(The full account of "The Scottish Gael" can be found here)

I'll stop now!

[Thunderbolt]

I suppose, that this subject will fall into the catagory of 'Thou Shalt' or 'Thou Shalt Not'. Depending on the mood of the purists and contemporaries.

But, do what you like. Wear it if you like to. I'd venture a guess and most will say "Only with formal attire", as that's probably the most traditionally correct.

I don't wear one, and I don't have one. I may get one someday, but only if it's a useable, quality item. Most dirks today are flashy, onrnamental, usless crap. I will not wear one for jewlery sake. I believe in having or wearing items that are useful. That's why I like kilts (amoung other reasons).

I carry a good, solid knife every day. Often two. I use them everyday. So, for a lot of years, a sgian dubh wasn't worn, until I found one that I could actually use. And while kilted, use it I do. Lastly, I remember using it to cut the foil off champagne bottles. (Hey, we were in a hurry!)

For those who hate dirks, I'd bet they have the ornamental type. They are useless and only for show...WHY?!?

Of course, there are times we dress up for show. Even then, I like items I can use.

Good luck. It all will come down to what you like and want to do.

T.

[sharpdressedscot]

I would wear a dirk, but it's not really practical for me nor is it legal for me to wear (I think).

[Jack Daw]

I won't even entertain the thought of permitting someone to cut their wedding cake with it.

Slan,
steve

I shouldn't and don't as I always keep a film of oil on the blade.

[puffer]

I wear mine on occasion; I'm a piper, and they're quite popular for dispatching wedding cakes and haggis. I wear a MoD repro one with my colour guard. I make my own frogs; unlike the commercially available ones, they keep my dirk from flopping about like a fish on a stringer:






I also made a dirk, of the old bollock-dagger style:
Pic 1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Pic 4

WOW !! Your Choice of DIRKS/DAGGERS is IMHO, FANTASTIC. Of course I am BIASED ( Your dirk handle is amost "exactly like one of my "customs" (my favorite))

Puffer

[ThistleDown]

The dirk was a very complex and almost mystical item to Scots Gaelic martial culture. Oaths were sworn on it and considered truly binding; it was described as able to slay supernatural creatures such as hags, etc.

James Logan's "The Scottish Gael" circa 1831, has a great section on weapons here; just scan down to section 216 to "DAGGERS, OR DIRKS".

Be cautious about accepting the myths of the romantic early 19C as the realities of a hundred or two hundred years earlier. Much about the dirk and other weapons of the clan era is common sense, but much more is not supported by writings pre-proscription. With Empire came a transposing of one culture's beliefs on those of another, among which quite likely are two in particular: the oath sworn on the dirk and that a drawn dirk could not be re-sheathed without first drawing blood.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I quote, "It is a concealed mischief, hid under the plaid, ready for secret stabbing, and in a close encounter there is no defense against it."

Citation, please?