Sgian Dubh question

[Dale Seago]

One day someone did reach down and tried to grab my Sgian Dubh and asked "is that real?"

As is apparent by now, laws regarding the wearing of such will be different in different places. Here in California it would not be considered concealed (if it were in fact concealed it would be a felony). Carrying it openly is fine, most places.

So I can wear my sgian pretty much anywhere I wish, and I do exactly that except for venues where, even unconcealed, it would be illegal -- principally school campuses, court houses, and other government buildings.

As for someone trying to grab it, going for a sgian in your stocking would fortunately be even easier to forestall than someone going for a dirk at your belt, unless the grabber is a leprechaun or hobbit. No one's ever tried that with me or, for that matter, tried to grab my dirk when I was wearing it OR tried to grab more technologically advanced gear when I was working. But then, I teach weapon disarming and retention as it's been part of my martial arts for some centuries now (with blades, staffs, polearms, and nowadays more technologically advanced stuff); and literally without even thinking about it I naturally position myself such that people would find it difficult to even attempt a grab.

[Taj]

My blade is a tool as well as it is used in spiritual ritual. I feel incomplete without it. Carrying a decorative knife is a waste to me. If you find anything in my sock it will be a Spyderco Ocelot, which is a nice little functional folding black handled knife.

[madmacs]

Missouri I suspect would consider it a dagger... since it's a pointy fixed blade... Therefore I believe technically banned... that being said i did wear one to Missouri Tartan Days... I guess on any given day it'll fall down to whether the cop decides to follow the rules or exercise discretion...

[EagleJCS]

I usually consider the venue I'll be in and the time of day I'll be there before I put anything in my hose top. With large crowds or events where I'll be piping and unable to immediately prevent someone from grabbing at my leg (not gonna drop my $1000+ pipes when I use my knee just as easy) I usually don't wear even my sgian brew.

Daytime/casual events I'll wear my sgian brew (it's got a stag horn handle). Evening events it's usually my sgian dhub (one of those imitation-stone, plastic handled jobbies ). Looks OK when it's in my hose top. I've sharpened the blade so it's functional (as a Scout, I don't see the utility in carrying a blade I can't use).

Most places around here (Kentucky), it's legal to openly carry any kind of blade, and you can carry "an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife" in your pocket. (The LEO and/or judge get to determine what constitutes an "ordinary pocket knife".) Cities/towns may have their own ordinances, though.

In theory, then, I could strap on my two-handed Claymore, my basket-hilt, and my dirk - in addition to my sgian dhub - and be perfectly legal here at home. I'd probably get stopped by every LEO that sees me and asked why I'm armed to the teeth like that , then warned not to brandish them about, but I'd be within my rights.

[MacMillans son]

I only carry my Sgian at Scottish events, where it is understood for what it is. I have other more practical defensive weapons, or utilitarian tools, that I carry if I am in an area, or participating in an activity (hunting), where I feel one is warranted.

I would never carry a Sgian Brew, or any other fake weapon, for fear that some idiot would assume I was armed and encourage me to use it. There's nothing like taking a bottle opener to a knife fight . For me, it would be like walking around openly carrying an unloaded gun in my belt, causes more problems than it solves therefore, not prudent.

That's my two cents worth.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

There's nothing like taking a bottle opener to a knife fight .

LOL! That's really funny...

[Old Hippie]

There's nothing like taking a bottle opener to a knife fight .

Chuckle.
Smirk.
Giggle.
Snort.
BWAAAAAHAHAHAHA!

Hooooo....

Thanks. I needed that.

I'm usually more in need of a bottle opener. I keep breaking my thumbnail trying to get the one on my Leatherman open. A good sgian brew would be an excellent tool and would probably get used to open the mail as well. (And yes, I HAVE been known to grab the nearest kitchen knife to do that. I sharpen them. It's my prerogative.)

:ootd:

[Woodsheal]

Missouri I suspect would consider it a dagger... since it's a pointy fixed blade... Therefore I believe technically banned... that being said i did wear one to Missouri Tartan Days... I guess on any given day it'll fall down to whether the cop decides to follow the rules or exercise discretion...

We've gone 'round and 'round with this topic before. The sgian dubh is not a dagger, and in fact was never really a weapon of any sort. It is a tiny, little skinning knife - now fancied up - and hardly a threat to society....

[Rab Gordon]

I usually wear a Sgian Brew unless at a more formal occasion, in which case I'll wear a proper Sgian Dubh, but really time and place determines which. At least with a Sgian Brew the worst you'll get is laughter

[Macman]

sevenoaks, I've been wearing a sgian dubh in B.C. (Victoria and Vancouver) for forty years and have never had a problem. I was asked once in a pub to leave it with the bartender until I left, but that's been it. I don't even think about it. YMMV.