Thoughts on Sgians Dubh

**Panache** · 8th September 06, 08:49 AM

Here is my current line up:

Cheers

**A Dhuglas** · 8th September 06, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by Rab Gordon

The Glen Urquhart sgian dubh is one of my designs - I sold the rights to the manufacturer who took a mold from one of my wooden handles which was carved in Glen Urquhart oak from the family farm - hence the name.

I can offer the real wood version with a high quality Swedish laminated carbon-steel blade and give X-mark members a discount.

http://www.rainnea.com/sgian-dubhs.htm

Rab

You're killin' me Rab! I've got bills to pay and you go and post your link and fire up the "I want one of those and one of those and one of those and ---oooo!!! -- look at that one...." You get the picture. You create some wonderful pieces. And "Sgian Brew" -- I love it!! Nice quip.

**beerbecue** · 5th December 06, 03:35 PM

So, if you could buy just one, and wanted to wear it for more formal and for casual occasions, which one from STM would you buy?

Stag, Oxhorn, Blackwood w/ thistle.......

**Panache** · 5th December 06, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by beerbecue

So, if you could buy just one, and wanted to wear it for more formal and for casual occasions, which one from STM would you buy?

Stag, Oxhorn, Blackwood w/ thistle.......

See my vote above

Cheers

**PiobBear** · 5th December 06, 06:23 PM

Alas, I no longer have the hair for a skian comb, and several times I've considered making a skian brew (no real beer (or Scotch, for that matter) comes in twist-off caps). However, I was having a conversation with a knifemaker the other day, particularly about commercial skian dubhs sold with blunt edges, and they said something that resonated with me; "If it's not sharp, it's just a metal stick". Skian means knife, not bottle opener. I've decided to either wear my skian dubh, or leave it at home if necessary, but personally I choose not to trivialize a tradition into a mere fashion acessory.

No offense intended towards anyone, just my thoughts on skin dubhs. YMMV. Nice handiwork, by the way.

**gilmore** · 5th December 06, 06:26 PM

I have never owned a sgian dubh and probably never will. Contrary to the pronouncements of the kilt merchants, I don't think they are at all necessary.

**Panache** · 5th December 06, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by PiobBear

... personally I choose not to trivialize a tradition into a mere fashion acessory.

No offense intended towards anyone, just my thoughts on skin dubh. YMMV. Nice handiwork, by the way.

PB,

I imagine that one could say that the sgian dubh became trivialized in the Victorian age when kilts and highland garb had their heyday. It became ornamental rather than functional, much like the sporran which was a simple pouch and became another elaborate dress accessory. I think of my "Sgian Don'ts" (which is just a silly play on words in the same manner that Rab Gordon's "Sgian Brews" are) as a reminder of a Highland tradition. I have fairly recently made a razor sharp antler horn sgian dubh :

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=20820

I have used it exactly twice since making it, once to slice an apple, and once to carve a jack-o-lantern. My formal oxhorn one from the Scottish Tartan's museum I use fairly often... at home as a LETTER OPENNER! My comb is pretty much just for show (and a socially acceptable item to have at an elementary school). Now my bottle openner tends to get quite a workout. Not that I drink a lot of beer or anything

. I think having a functional and useful tool readily at hand is something that the Highlanders of old would appreciate. I can respect your opinion. I just wanted to offer a counterpoint.

Cheers

**Caradoc** · 5th December 06, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by gilmore

I have never owned a sgian dubh and probably never will. Contrary to the pronouncements of the kilt merchants, I don't think they are at all necessary.

I don't consider any one sgian dubh in my collection to be a mere "fashion accessory."

They're all quite functional blades - and made in either Scotland or the United States.

For example:

The blade is 1095.

As for "necessary," if one has the need to cut something, I feel one should have a handy tool to do so.

**Panache** · 5th December 06, 06:49 PM

I will say this. My sgian dubh has a carbon steel blade from Atlanta Cutlery that I had professionally sharpened. It is, hands down, the sharpest blade in my home. If I every need a sharp blade, I'm heading for it.

Cheers

**PiobBear** · 5th December 06, 08:14 PM

I imagine that one could say that the sgian dubh became trivialized in the Victorian age when kilts and highland garb had their heyday. It became ornamental rather than functional, much like the sporran which was a simple pouch and became another elaborate dress accessory....

Point taken; few things are quite as completely useless as a horsehair sporran (yes; I wear one on occasion). At least my dirk still has a blade, although quite far removed from the far more utilitarian bollock dagger, recycled from a broken broadsword.

Now my bottle opener tends to get quite a workout....I think having a functional and useful tool readily at hand is something that the Highlanders of old would appreciate.

Also quite valid; I just choose to keep mine on my key ring.