Sgian Dubhs, what is appropriate?

[California Highlander]

A sgian dubh is a knife - 'black knife' - its only purpose was for killing someone. It does not matter what it looks like, Its purpose was to kill. There is no such thing as a 'dress' sgian dubh. if you want to kill someone, you do not possess a variety of knives to kill according to occasion.

Oh, the shark, babe, has such teeth, dear
And it shows them pearly white
Just a sgian dubh, has old MacHeath, babe?
And he keeps it out of sight
You know when that shark bites with his teeth, babe
Scarlet billows start to spread
Fancy gloves, though wears old MacHeath, babe
So there's never, never a trace of red
On a sidewalk, blue Sunday mornin'
Lies a body just oozin' life
Some, someone's sneakin' 'round a corner
could that someone be Old Mack the Knife?

So its original purpose did suit old Macky, but nowadays the sgian dubh seems either decoration (like jewelry for the hose) or a tool (like a Scandinavian knife). I prefer a workable knife that I can use to cut cheese and salami or a piece of rope while camping. But I wouldn't turn away a pretty sgian wit sterling fittings that I could use for evening attire.

[tripleblessed]

A sgian dubh is a knife - 'black knife' - its only purpose was for killing someone. It does not matter what it looks like, Its purpose was to kill. There is no such thing as a 'dress' sgian dubh. if you want to kill someone, you do not possess a variety of knives to kill according to occasion.

I've seen discussion on why it's called a sgian dubh, but no resolution; seemingly lost in history. One thing is sure,
though; the opening statement is entirely wrong. The sgian dubh is a working knife, for skinning and gutting fish and
small game. Admittedly, few of us use them that way any more, but it's a tool, no more or less. One is always
free to have any opinion on any subject, or to rant and rave at will; it is best to have correct information before setting
sail. A pretty bright guy once said something along the lines of everyone having the right to their own opinion, but not
their own set of facts. Also, dress sgian dubhs are fact; not subject to debate. And, yes, if, sadly, killing were one's
business, one might well own a variety of blades, according to usage.

And most important, the fact that something can be used in a certain way does not mean that is it's purpose, much
less it's only purpose. I've known and worked with a lot of police officers, who in this country are armed, and often
required to carry even when off duty. Most make it through their entire career without using deadly force. Worldwide,
many people are killed every year by hands and feet alone. Does this mean that the only purpose of hands and feet is
killing, or that we should all stop carrying them? Or require permits? I think not.

On another note, my first show in professional theater was "The Threepenny Opera". In the English translation Mack
the Knife carried a jack knife, a different kettle of fish.

[California Highlander]

On another note, my first show in professional theater was "The Threepenny Opera". In the English translation Mack the Knife carried a jack knife, a different kettle of fish.

Yes, I adapted the text ever so slightly in an attempt a humor. The post made me think of the song, which seemed amusing. My apologies for not including a smiley.

[HootinHoller]

A sgian dubh is a knife - 'black knife' - its only purpose was for killing someone. It does not matter what it looks like, Its purpose was to kill. There is no such thing as a 'dress' sgian dubh. if you want to kill someone, you do not possess a variety of knives to kill according to occasion.

Blades were way too expensive before the blast furnace for any blade to have one purpose only.

I know people with whole collections of knives that are graded to occasion. And what really does wanting to kill someone have anything to do with this? I'm having trouble getting my head around the wanting part.

My admittedly imperfect understanding of the traditions around the sgian dubh is that everyone was assumed to be armed such that the display of the sgian dubh signaled no ill will on the part of the one displaying it. Sort of an early IFF system.

[HootinHoller]

Actually, there sort of is such a thing. See this thread:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...in-dubh-71982/

I have one in a clan crest. It has several advantages in some urban areas in that legally it's classed as a multi-tool instead of a knife.

I wish it had a high carbon blade, as I've found it difficult to achieve a good edge yet (but it is coming along). The etching is very nice. I carry it for all modes of dress because it has a corkscrew and I feel naked if I don't have a corkscrew as one never knows when a nice claret will need opening. ;)

[Sir Didymous]

I have a black handled and silver mounted sgian that I use almost all of the time, kilted or not. I have however recently picked up a little patch knife pieced together by a Native American reenactor that was demonstrating how many tribes would recycle broken items. It was made of a cut down straight razor and an antler point from a white-tail. It has been seeing some use with my daywear allowing me to save some wear on my silver mounted one. I honestly don't think that a black handled sgian looks too out of place with day wear, but the ones intended for daywear tend to standout a bit with dressier attire. This is all my opinion though.

[Tarheel]

I made my mother a small utility knife when I was in high school (several decades ago). It was returned to me after her passing from this world. A few personal items of hers were included in the package. Though crude, I fashioned my current "day use" sgian dubh adding the stone and setting of a broken hat pin (her favorite) into the handle. The wood is the heart of Eastern red cedar, the stone (Moon stone) is set in silver, the sheath was the tip of a belt (sliced off to fit my girth) and the blade is from a broken Barlow scout knife my brother discarded. Nothing cast away passes by the hand of a Tinker unexamined. IMG_0882.jpg mom's 2.jpg

[McRoy]

Mercy me, wear what you like... In the military they only issued us with the one and it did for day and night. Don't recall anyone ever asking if I was wearing my day or night one. Of course only pipers, warrants, and officers wore them at all.

[JonathanB]

I always wear a stag horn (coronet style) sgian dubh with Highland day attire. Mine was made by the ever so talented, Jim Young at Comrie Crafts. The shed antler comes from deer in Perthshire.

I have three Comrie Craft sgian. I don't wear them much - I don't want to give ideas to anyone on London trains. Comrie Crafts also make a wonderful kilt pin from an antler which is my very favourite kilt pin.

[Tarheel]

I meant to refer to the knife I made as the "everyday", general purpose and casual daily use tool. A "night" sgain dubh would be considered formal wear or something you would offer to a guest if they forgot their own when visiting. I'll explain better next time. Thanks for the input and queries. How else will I learn.