When is a dirk appropriate?

[St. Amish]

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.

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

[Panache]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

But a small knife stuck in one's sock is standard and accepted ornament for highland attire, both day and evening wear. Its size makes it convenient to carry.

The dirk on the other hand is generally only worn with formal and/or ceremonial garb. Its size is somewhat cumbersome and awkward.

Personally I find myself more often than not either not wearing a sgian dubh at all or wearing a "sgian don't" bottle cap opener. Because one must be ever wary of some cold tasty dark beer that could strike at any moment!*

Cheers

Jamie :ootd:





* I am ever the optimist

[JRB]

...in regards to the dirk placement, there's much iconography for it to be worn in the centre of the belt - accessible to either hand, though these sources are certainly not for formal occasions.

Since my only dirk is of 17th c. style and I only wear it with my belted plaid, I hang it more from the center next to my sporran as you mentioned.

[JRB]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

Funny, all my sgian dubhs are very sharp and serviceable. I don't wear a fake knife for any reason. And I find that my sgian dubh comes in handy for many little tasks, the kind for which one might us a pocket knife. My dirk is just as serviceable and sharp (again, I don't own fake knives) but I never have the need to carry or much less use it. Dirks were designed to kill people. Period. They're most likely very good at their job but that's all they're good for. A sgian dubh on the other hand can be put to use very nicely in modern society without running afoul of the local constabulary.

[St. Amish]

Funny, all my sgian dubhs are very sharp and serviceable. I don't wear a fake knife for any reason. And I find that my sgian dubh comes in handy for many little tasks, the kind for which one might us a pocket knife. My dirk is just as serviceable and sharp (again, I don't own fake knives) but I never have the need to carry or much less use it. Dirks were designed to kill people. Period. They're most likely very good at their job but that's all they're good for. A sgian dubh on the other hand can be put to use very nicely in modern society without running afoul of the local constabulary.

Not that my sgian can't be sharpened, more that I haven't done it. I don't see pulling a very expensive knife out of my sock, removing the sweat-soaked leather, and then using it to cut off a corner of cheddar.

My dirk is carbon-stainless, very sharp. Have nicked the thumb several times with it.

[JSFMACLJR]

I don't see pulling a very expensive knife out of my sock, removing the sweat-soaked leather, and then using it to cut off a corner of cheddar. .

No? That is what I use mine for most often: cutting cheese and fruit. Comes in handy, too, for cutting bits of string, removing staples, and opening envelopes.

[McMurdo]

I was not wearing a Sgian Dubh today, many days I do not, anyway I asked if I had it twice today as someone could have used a small knife. I think I'll wear it tomorrow.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If that's the rule, then the sgian dubh is out, too, because I rarely have occasion to draw a 4 inch knife with a dull, ornamental blade whilst kilted.

I should point out that the only time you will need your sgian dubh is when you don't have it.

[Panache]

I should point out that the only time you will need your sgian dubh is when you don't have it.

But if one has one of those wonderful little mini-leatherman tools on one's key chain this problem can be avoided.

Cheers

Jamie

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

No? That is what I use mine for most often: cutting cheese and fruit. Comes in handy, too, for cutting bits of string, removing staples, and opening envelopes.

Couldn't agree more. A decent sgian dubh is just the thing for attacking the cheese-- if, unlike St. Amish , you don't sweat like a field hand you should still casually wipe the blade of your sgian dubh before using it on the cheddar... that's just common courtesy. (Of course, it also lets you make a bit of a show out of producing your sgian dubh, which really gets up the noses of those blokes in trousers who've been jealously sneering at your kilt all evening.)