sgian dubh

[Alberta Ed]

May be heading to Scotland in a couple of months (50th anniversary celebration), probably landing in Edinburgh then up to Isle of Skye for a walking tour. Anyone know of any genuine sgian dubh that might be available (aside from the usual 420J2 tourist crap)?

 

[Triton]

If you are going to be in Glasgow I would look up Armour Class. If the Isle of Skye I would look up Rob Miller. Whether either has "in stock" items I do not know.

 

[gadunz]

Isle of Skye

https://www.castlekeep.co.uk/swords/#scottish
Castle Keep, A Chuibheall, Torrin, Isle of Skye, Scotland IV49 9BA

 

[unwisefool]

Just make sure you don't wear it out and about...

 

[gadunz]

except maybe in a a sock at a Highland Games.

 

[Alberta Ed]

Thanks, all. Traditional Scottish practice is to carry your sgian dubh concealed under your shirt or up your sleeve.

 

[Horsewright]

Aye, check here, Rabbie Gordon, overlooking Loch Ness so kinda on your way to Skye.

https://www.lochnessorigins.com/sgian-dubhs/

Lived in Scotland for 3.5 years, you'll have a great time. Skye is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

 

[Owen K.]

Thanks, all. Traditional Scottish practice is to carry your sgian dubh concealed under your shirt or up your sleeve.

How do they keep it there? Is there special sheaths?

 

[Alberta Ed]

How do they keep it there? Is there special sheaths?

I've always wondered about that. Some would sew the sheath into the armpit of the shirt, I believe. Not sure about how you'd carry one up your sleeve.

 

[jdk1]

How do they keep it there? Is there special sheaths?

It shouldn't be too hard. I've known tons of people who carry tricks and cards up there

 

[jstrange]

Aye, check here, Rabbie Gordon, overlooking Loch Ness so kinda on your way to Skye.

https://www.lochnessorigins.com/sgian-dubhs/

Lived in Scotland for 3.5 years, you'll have a great time. Skye is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Dave, you ever try your hand at one?

 

[gadunz]

 

[BitingSarcasm]

Thank you for all the hairy man-leg pics. I am off to wash out the memory with some alcohol--Scotch, if I have any.

 

[jstrange]

Thank you for all the hairy man-leg pics. I am off to wash out the memory with some alcohol--Scotch, if I have any.

Eh, I’ve seen hairier.

 

[DocJD]

Man hair is a great help in knife retention !

 

[lieferung]

I'm surprised it stays in place with just a sock. Are they more ceremonial than practical?

 

[gadunz]

The sgian-dubh may have evolved from the sgian-achlais, a dagger that could be concealed under the armpit. Used by the Scots of the 17th and 18th centuries, this knife was slightly larger than the average modern sgian-dubh and was carried in the upper sleeve or lining of the body of the jacket.[2]

Courtesy and etiquette would demand that when entering the home of a friend, any concealed weapons would be revealed. It follows that the sgian-achlais would be removed from its hiding place and displayed in the stocking top held securely by the garters.[3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgian-dubh

The Scots have pride in the strength & thickness of their kilt hose.

 

[Danke42]

I'm surprised it stays in place with just a sock. Are they more ceremonial than practical?

Yeah kinda now but that sock has a garter and as long as you keep it over your calf you're golden.

 

[foxdoublegunner]

I would recommend that you look up Rab Gordon from Dramnadroichit on the shores of Loch ness. I purchased a Sgian Dubh from him a couple of years ago made with damasteel blade, bog wood grip and sterling silver accents. Good person to deal with.

 

[jstrange]

The sgian-dubh may have evolved from the sgian-achlais, a dagger that could be concealed under the armpit. Used by the Scots of the 17th and 18th centuries, this knife was slightly larger than the average modern sgian-dubh and was carried in the upper sleeve or lining of the body of the jacket.[2]

Courtesy and etiquette would demand that when entering the home of a friend, any concealed weapons would be revealed. It follows that the sgian-achlais would be removed from its hiding place and displayed in the stocking top held securely by the garters.[3]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sgian-dubh

The Scots have pride in the strength & thickness of their kilt hose.

I am still having trouble envisioning how it was carried under the shirt by the armpit, but I don’t doubt they did. I wonder if the term “nothing up my sleeve” harkens back to this?