How much sgian to show?

**figheadair** · 30th November 10, 12:37 AM

None. IMHO it, along with the kilt pin, belong in the C19th dressing up box and both about as useful as chocolate fireguards. When not wearing a jacket, the sock is of course an excellent place to keep ones pen.

**BoldHighlander** · 30th November 10, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

None. IMHO it, along with the kilt pin, belong in the C19th dressing up box and both about as useful as chocolate fireguards. When not wearing a jacket, the sock is of course an excellent place to keep ones pen.

As a frequent knife user (for many tasks) I'd have to disagree. I'd personally be lost without some sort of knife on my person (rather that be kilted or not). Just my 2 cents

**figheadair** · 30th November 10, 03:04 AM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

As a frequent knife user (for many tasks) I'd have to disagree. I'd personally be lost without some sort of knife on my person (rather that be kilted or not). Just my 2 cents

Couldn't agree more that's why I have an effective multi-tool on my belt or in a pocket.

**BoldHighlander** · 30th November 10, 03:08 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

Couldn't agree more that's why I have an effective multi-tool on my belt or in a pocket.

That works too

**macwilkin** · 30th November 10, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by figheadair

None. IMHO it, along with the kilt pin, belong in the C19th dressing up box and both about as useful as chocolate fireguards. When not wearing a jacket, the sock is of course an excellent place to keep ones pen.

I frequently keep a straight-stemmed pipe in my hose.

T.

**creagdhubh** · 1st December 10, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I frequently keep a straight-stemmed pipe in my hose.

T.

Nice!

**OC Richard** · 29th December 10, 05:50 AM

About how much of the sgian handle to show, as in many other areas of Highland Dress I like to look at what's traditional in the Army.

It varies from regiment to regiment.

The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders officer's sgian had a badge in the middle of the handle and the sgian was worn so that the badge could be seen. In effect around 2/3 of the handle was visible.

The Black Watch officer's sgian, on the other hand, had the badge (a sphinx)at the bottom of the handle, and therefore the sgian was worn with the entire handle showing.

Here are photos of members of these two regiments taken just prior to their being subsumed into The Royal Regiment Of Scotland.

and from The Highlanders, wearing the old Gordon Highlanders pattern (no badge), with a bit over half the handle showing

**Tim Little** · 29th December 10, 08:29 AM

For better or worse, I've followed the advice of J. Charles "Scotty" Thompson ("So You're Going to Wear the Kilt"), in which -- IIRC -- he recommends leaving just the pommel of the sgian visible.

**Deil the Yin** · 29th December 10, 08:33 AM

Guid thread, this! And some nice piccies, too. Cheers for a' that.

Ironically I find this particularly interesting because I've recently stopped wearing a sgian in my hose top pretty much all together. I still carry a knife at all times, though. Good place to put your pipe, though- I like that idea!

But just to put in my two cents: I've always thought showing more than the top of the sgian handle- enough to get your fingers on and the knife out- is really sloppy looking. Kinda like having your flashes hanging out 6 or 8 inches and whipping around etc. Completely subjective, of course; to me it just looks like the sgian is about to fall out, and one ends up fixated on it like watching a vase teeter on the edge of a table...

Cheers,
Wesley