When is a dirk appropriate?

[Panache]

Glen thanks for the photos.

While I certainly am not going to argue with the military customs of the Atholl Highlanders, I will say that out of the three pictures and 4 gentlemen the Earl of Mansfield's wearing of the dirk dirk looks awkward to me.

The belt over the waistcoat while undoubtedly practical for carrying weapons doesn't do either belt or waistcoat justice to me. Also the dirk handle being underneath the jacket spoils the line of the jacket and obscures the attractive knife handle.


You and Lord George Douglas-Hamilton are wearing montrose doublets that look quite nice with the dirk as I mentioned. I'm assuming that Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a regulation doublet or sheriffmuir doublet. However you will note that this doublet is worn closed and the the belt looks quite fine outside it.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

[skauwt]

Ive heard folk using a dirk for the cutting of the Christmas and new year dinners but no one in my family have ever done so to my knowledge

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Jamie,
I have to agree with you about the belt over the waistcoat thing-- In this instance Lord Mansfield is wearing his uniform as an officer of the Atholl Highlanders, and that's how they do it. If one just had to show off his belt plate then this would be acceptable civilian attire, but preferable attire would have the dirk worn suspended from a small belt fastened beneath the waistcoat. A much tidier look in my opinion.

I suspect the hilt of Mansfield's dirk is tucked under his jacket to prevent it getting in the way while dancing. Judging by its looks that particular dirk has seen some hard knocks!

[Panache]

I suspect the hilt of Mansfield's dirk is tucked under his jacket to prevent it getting in the way while dancing. Judging by its looks that particular dirk has seen some hard knocks!

MoR,

I will not argue if it is the norm, at least with the military, to wear a dirk while dancing. However it seems a bad idea. Just like we move our sporrans to our hip when dancing it would seem sensible to give one's dagger to a friend or subordinate to care for while dancing with a lovely lady.

All manner of things come to mind when thinking about dancing with a dagger bouncing away at one's side. A Mae West quotation would certainly be the least of one's worries!

Any idea on Lord George Douglas-Hamilton's doublet?

Cheers


Jamie :ootd:

[Woodsheal]

I tend to agree with the "rules" or conventions stated here regarding dirk-wearing, when the dirk in question looks like this:



...but, what about a simpler, historic-type dirk (without all of the silver mounts and gemstones)? Would not a dirk like the one below look OK with a smart, tweed jacket & vest day-wear ensemble? I've never done so, only having worn it with period garb. But, I have toyed with the idea...!

[McMurdo]

You and Lord George Douglas-Hamilton are wearing montrose doublets that look quite nice with the dirk as I mentioned. I'm assuming that Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a regulation doublet or sheriffmuir doublet. However you will note that this doublet is worn closed and the the belt looks quite fine outside it.

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:

Actually Lord David Douglas-Hamilton is wearing a Sherriffmuir Doublet, his brother standing beside him is wearing a Montrose, nevertheless they both look good and Lord David Douglas-Hamilton certainly knows how to dress while wearing a dirk.

[JSFMACLJR]

MoR,

I will not argue if it is the norm, at least with the military, to wear a dirk while dancing. However it seems a bad idea. Just like we move our sporrans to our hip when dancing it would seem sensible to give one's dagger to a friend or subordinate to care for while dancing with a lovely lady.

All manner of things come to mind when thinking about dancing with a dagger bouncing away at one's side. A Mae West quotation would certainly be the least of one's worries!

Any idea on Lord George Douglas-Hamilton's doublet?

Cheers


Jamie :ootd:

Jamie,

In days gone by, and in current times by some, at the great Highland balls, dirks were worn by many, many gentlemen--and were rarely removed for dancing. Remember, a lot of the dances were reels, and not "flats", so the dirks weren't really in the way.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I tend to agree with the "rules" or conventions stated here regarding dirk-wearing, when the dirk in question looks like this:



...but, what about a simpler, historic-type dirk (without all of the silver mounts and gemstones)? Would not a dirk like the one below look OK with a smart, tweed jacket & vest day-wear ensemble? I've never done so, only having worn it with period garb. But, I have toyed with the idea...!

I suppose it's all down to a matter of taste (and that top dirk is a very tasty item), but I always find it faintly amusing when I see a gentleman in day wear attire sporting a dirk. To me it always looks as if he is trying just a bit too hard to look "Scottish".

Before strapping on a dirk with one's tweeds, I suppose one might ask the question, "What am I apt to be doing today that might require I have a stout 18-inch dagger at my side?" If the answer doesn't immediately pop into one's mind, then I suppose it might be a good idea to forgo the theatricality of the thing and leave the dirk at home on the sideboard, next to the ram's head snuff mull.

[Smitty]

It was noted above that the dirk is always to be worn on the right side. I understand that the sgian dubh is also to be worn on the right, but I'm left-handed, and if I have little use for a small pig-sticker in my sock, I have even less use for one in my right sock!

I always wear the sgian dubh on the left, and would likely do the same with a dirk. Is this considered bad form? Or is it, as I have always treated it, nobody's business but my own?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

It was noted above that the dirk is always to be worn on the right side. I understand that the sgian dubh is also to be worn on the right, but I'm left-handed, and if I have little use for a small pig-sticker in my sock, I have even less use for one in my right sock!

I always wear the sgian dubh on the left, and would likely do the same with a dirk. Is this considered bad form? Or is it, as I have always treated it, nobody's business but my own?

The dirk is worn on the right because it is intended to be drawn with the left hand while the sword is drawn with the right hand. On casual observation it would seem to me that the advantage is in your favour, what with you being left handed, and people no longer wearing swords.

Most people aren't left-handed, and so the conventions of wearing swords and dirks and sgians dubh evolved to favor right handed people. For something like 85-90% of the population the targe is carried on the left arm with the left hand grasping the hilt of the dirk while the right hand holds the sword. So to facilitate drawing the dirk it is worn on the right, and the sword is worn on the left.

Now in the civilian world of today these arms aren't normally carried, so in practical terms it really doesn't matter if you wear your dirk on the left side because you are left handed-- in all likelihood you won't be wearing a dirk at all. But if you attend an event where the wearing of the dirk would be considered appropriate, then you might want to consider conforming to the social norm and wearing your dirk on the right-- otherwise people may assume you don't know any better.