Sgian Dubhus

J

John A. Larsen

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Jan 15, 2001
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I watched a short video of King Charles arriving at Balmoral last night. He got out of the sedan and I was a little surprised that he was wearing a kilt, with those high socks to the knee. I also noticed that sticking up out of the right sock was the handle of a Sgian Dubhs, but no idea what kind or make. Reminded me that around 1957/58 my Father took me to see the Black Watch Band in Madison Square Garden, as I liked bagpipes, and they had plenty of them. When presentation was over several of the Black Watch walked by were we were standing and one man had a tattoo of a Sgian Dubhs handle sticking above the top of his right sock. Guess he did not want to have to worry about loosing a real one. John
 
A lot of soldiers are going to tattoo unit insignia, mascots, or parts of their uniform like that.
 
Probably simplies traveling.

There is such a thing as a bladeless Sgian Dubh, for those who wish to wear the kilt for a formal event, but find it difficult or impossible to carry a knife to that event. I've seen them in some of the Scot's stores that sell dress kilts.
 
knarfeng said:
Probably simplies traveling.

There is such a thing as a bladeless Sgian Dubh, for those who wish to wear the kilt for a formal event, but find it difficult or impossible to carry a knife to that event. I've seen them in some of the Scot's stores that sell dress kilts.
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I hope so. Cant have folks running around with a dangerous weapon no matter who it is. ;)
 
Hard to find a genuine sgian dubh these days, although Cold Steel did make one. Wouldn't be surprised if King Charles was packing a toothbrush in his sock, though.
 
I mean as long as you've got no objection to Scottish people I'd get one from there.
 
Danke42 said:
I mean as long as you've got no objection to Scottish people I'd get one from there.
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You've already had your fun in this thread. Back to W&C.
If you ever make a serious knife comment in a thread, tag me. I've never seen you make one.
 
I have (3) "Western" Sgian Dubhs of Damasteel winging their way back at this very moment from heat treat to me. I had request from a customer to make such a thing for his wedding, but not the time before the wedding to develop a whole new knife pattern. So I rehandled a knife of mine he already had, a Buckaroo, (a Cowboy in damascus), with some bog oak he was able to source from Culloden Moor for the wedding. He also wanted a matching belt and sheath. He'd bought three blocks of this bog oak as he wanted me to have a set of scales too for my own use. So after cutting it into scales I decided, never having worked with the handle material before, to at the same time build an "experimental" knife with the bog oak. I did all the processes of the handle work to this knife first and then worked on the "wedding" knife. Just didn't have time for something to go wrong and start over again with the wedding knife. Well they both came out great and in fact while I was gonna put the experimental knife on our website to sell but the customer bought it as well. I still had some scales left over and so developed a pattern for the western sgian dubh with the intent of using this excess bog wood from Culloden. I combined elements of traditional sgian dubhs with my Cowboy model. The customer was over joyed and my lil brother wanted in too and bought the Damasteel. I know it's unusual for me but I don't actually have a pic of the blades. What me no pics? Just of those blades. The experimental knife with the bog oak from Culloden. If you are unfamiliar with that significance please google Culloden Moor.

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The wedding knife sheath and belt:

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I mean after all Robert The Bruce guards my beer fridge in the shop:

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knarfeng said:
You've already had your fun in this thread. Back to W&C.
If you ever make a serious knife comment in a thread, tag me. I've never seen you make one.
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No I'm serious. If you just search Sgian Dubh there's a store in Scotland called Sgian Dubh Co that has pages of them. I can't imagine why someone would said you can't get them anymore.

I know more than a few folks from Highlander Infantry regiments and have talked about the whole regalia including the Sgian Dubh. It's a big cultural deal,


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I looked for a sgian dubh when we were in Scotland on a walking tour a few years ago and found nothing outside a couple of junk shops, and those were probably made in China. Didn't even see one in a museum although there were plenty of swords, halberds and pikes.
 
Well that's pretty crazy because if you show up to a Robbie Burns dinner without one the world will end! Maybe they hide them from visitors so they don't become just a souvenir?
 
The last major big supplier of British made Sgian Dubhs is John Nowill/William Rodgers. They trade back and forth which name makes them, Nowill I think is current. They also offer blade blanks occasionally. Windlass of India occasionally offers full knives and blanks, and of course the Chinese, although they don't call them Sgian Dhbhs usually. The big trade is in the blade blanks, lots of hobbiest makers using them.
 
There are also a couple of custom makers in the UK who will make one for you. One of the fellas in Traditional who lives in the Inner Hebrides had a custom Sgian Dubh made for his wedding.
 
If you wear the Scottish National Dress you can legally carry one anywhere in England. Good to know if you ever travel to the UK.
 
Our bog oak from Culloden was sourced from a custom maker. He too, besides finished ones, will also sell parts and materials including blades. His shop is a converted old barn that over looks Loch Ness. Loch Ness Origins is the outfit. I remember some years back when King Charles was still the Prince of Wales (in Scotland the heir is The Duke of Rothesay) that he was gifted a dirk and that this guy was involved in the project.
 
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