Functional Sgians

**CMcG** · 25th July 13, 04:00 PM

Great responses, guys, keep 'em comin'!

My concern with many of them is that, sharp as they may be, they aren't full tang, but instead appear to be a rat tail tang that is only glued into the wood or antler. A stick tang with a screwed on pommel would be OK, but I feel like the other ones aren't sturdy enough. Not that I really need it to be workhorse knife... but I'd like it to be capable of heavier duty, if the need or opportunity arose

Still, some of those antler or wood handles really look nice, eh?

The Cold Steel Scottish Spike that several people have or the Gerber that kiltedwolfman posted seem a bit more sturdy, though the look departs a bit too much from the sgian dubh profile for my taste. They really appear very nice serviceable, though!

I had to look up the vintage Scout sgian that Father Bill mentioned. Is this it? (pics from an old auction by eBay seller globaltreasurechest):
scoutsgian1.JPG scoutsgian2.JPG

As for auld argonian's length concern, that's a bummer that both the Colt and the Artificum Solis blades are 1/4" too long to be legal in your area. I guess you'll just have to be content that carrying a sgian is legal at all!

**Geoff Withnell** · 26th July 13, 06:14 AM

Alas, It would appear that that Coldsteel in no longer making the Scottish Spike. They are still making the Braveheart (a very practical carbon steel blade kraton handled sgian) , a sgian in fiberglass reinforced plastic that is surprisingly useful as a knife, and folding versions of sgians called the Hold Out series.

Originally Posted by QuarterCeltic

I also like the Cold Steel Scottish Spike.

**Scout** · 26th July 13, 07:11 AM

Gentlemen, a word of caution if I may - While we all know to be careful about buying Highland clothing and accessories from eBay, the same care should extend to buying knives (and probably anything else). Cold Steel especially has been the target of cheap imitations that mimic their designs and copy their trademarks. A friend of mine after admiring my Cold Steel "Urban Pal" bought what he thought was the same knife for a few dollars on eBay. At first glance it looked ok but a side-by-side comparison made it clear he had bought a counterfeit.

My advice is to buy direct from a company's website or catalog unless you know with certainty that your dealing with a reputable dealer.

**Singlemalt** · 26th July 13, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by CMcG

I'm not up for DIY on this one myself, but I'd love to see yours when it is done!

I notice the handle has a rather unique, curved shape (as per this eBay auction, where I pulled the images below). Is that supposed to mould to your calf? How does it feel in the hose and in the hand?

Colin, I have one of these and it is pretty good. I think the curve in the handle is supposed to hug the bulging muscle in your calf. Unfortunately in my case there is little to hug on my skinny legs. It is comfortable in the hand and light but the blade is only so so. It is better than the average sgian, which seem to be sold more as an accessory than a tool, but not great. The best blade I have is on a cold steel "Braveheart" which I find very functional but the handle is rather modern and utilitarian for my taste.

**CMcG** · 26th July 13, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

...The best blade I have is on a cold steel "Braveheart" which I find very functional but the handle is rather modern and utilitarian for my taste.

It does seem tough to find a sgian that is highly functional, without becoming too modern and utilitarian, eh? Especially if one is on a limited budget and can't afford a custom knife

**Llama** · 26th July 13, 01:25 PM

I keep wondering if I can remove the handle on my Cold Steel Secret Edge and carve a bog oak handle for it.

**Sir Didymous** · 26th July 13, 01:58 PM

Ritter Steel may get a lot of guff in the reenactment circles (mostly due to being over built and having bulky scabbards on their swords), but my favorite arming sword is their "Round Table" model. If their small blades are anything like their swords, then these should hold up VERY well and should keep an edge like mad. All should function about like what you're looking for (except the kriss blade, but it was too pretty to leave out), and the price is good.
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?...eel+Sgian+Dubh
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?...ade+Boot+Knife
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?...ade+Boot+Knife
http://kultofathena.com/product.asp?...dge+Boot+Knife
I also trust the company. I've done business with them in the past and not just for the Ritter brand.

**ronin6290** · 27th July 13, 02:05 PM

I own that Colt and it's a great blade. It gets nearly daily use as a utility blade. Also goes hiking with me. My other sgian dubh I consider more decorative however its' advantage is its lightness and comfort in kilt hose while the Colt can be a bulky beast. They make nice companions however due to their differing qualities. Oh a nice feature of the Colt is the magnet in the wooden matching sheath that holds the blade in place. A great feature that.

Sgian.jpg

**ring0** · 27th July 13, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

....and I love that Artificum number that you found...one of my perpetual concerns is the length of the blade since 3 inches is the legally permissible length for a fixed blade knife here in Chicago...

Best

AA

AA, I might be mistaken, but isn't any blade length over 2.5 inches illegal in Chicago?

I refer to the Chicago Municipal Code, where the relevant section MCC 8-24-020(f) reads, "No person shall carry concealed on or about his person...any other type or kind of knife, any blade of which is more than two and one-half inches in length."

It would break my heart to put the time and effort into making a beautiful sgian, and find out afterwards that it's a half inch too long to wear in my home town.

**Katia** · 28th July 13, 02:06 PM

I admit I've been thinking about getting a tactical boot knife. I like my current sgian, but while the handle is nice, it was an el-cheapo and I can't sharpen the blade. In a pinch, I suppose it could be used to cut something maybe, and of course it would work for self-defense, but for finer practical purposes... not so much.

It wouldn't be traditional-looking, but at least it would be dubh!

Originally Posted by ring0

AA, I might be mistaken, but isn't any blade length over 2.5 inches illegal in Chicago?

I refer to the Chicago Municipal Code, where the relevant section MCC 8-24-020(f) reads, "No person shall carry concealed on or about his person...any other type or kind of knife, any blade of which is more than two and one-half inches in length."

It would break my heart to put the time and effort into making a beautiful sgian, and find out afterwards that it's a half inch too long to wear in my home town.

'
You might look closer or ask around. Many of these laws also pertain to the intent of the person in question... if you're not carrying it with ill intent-- to harm another-- it may not be an issue. (Yes, that seems to negate the point of the law, but still. I think it is in part to allow for inadvertent carry, or carry as needed for another purpose). And you could also, as has been stated before, try to argue on the merit of it being an item of national dress, not a weapon. (Or, I suppose, try to argue that it's not "concealed" as it's hanging out of your hose plain as day, but that would depend on whether OPEN carry of a knife is illegal in your area.)

In the end, who will know unless you pull it out and wave it around? I assume, as was the attitude in the "Sgian dos and don'ts" thread, that the local constabulary doesn't care enough to make you pull it out randomly so they can measure it... and if you were to need to use it in self-defense, I would think the issue of the blade being half an inch too long to be legal would really be the least of your concerns.