The lads were asked how young is too young for a youth piper to be given a sgian dubh. Erik poses some thoughts on giving knives to kids in general. As always common sense applies. BUT family tradition is also an important factor.

What is a Sgain Dubh?
The Sgian Dubh ('black knife") is a classic piece of Highland Dress as well as a tool with a long pedigree in Scottish culture. The small knife can be considered either a tool or a weapon. Traditionally the sgian dubh is worn in the kilt hoes - with the pommel and a bit of the handle poking up out of the hose cuff. The knife is held in place by the pressure of the cuff and band of the hose flash/hose garter. Which leg you wear yoiiur sgian dubh on is a personla choice, it is usually the dominant hand.

According to Highland lore, the sgian dubh was a utility blade and back-up weapon one would wear anywhere on one's person - often concealed. This is one possible origin for the name 'black knife', ie. a knife that is hidden. The name may also come from the most common choice of handle material; black oak or bog oak which has a naturally black color. The lore goes on to sugest that the sgian dubh was worn in the kilt hoe (kilt sock) as a show of respect to one's host and friends - showing plainly your "hidden" knife to imply you had no secret violent intentions. This is almost certainly romanticism, but it's still a fun story.

As you may imagine, the sgian dubh is most commonly just a ceremonial item these days. There _are_ sharp functional knives, and many gents do sport these for the utility. However,. most sgian dubhs on the market come unsharpened with a high-polish blade. The main focus is on the decorative elements of the handle - the wood, carvings, embedded clan crests, fittings of pewter or silver, etc. And often the sgian dubh pommel is a faceted stone of a color that compliments the wearer's tartan.


Tartans in this video:
Rocky - County Leitrim
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Erik: Kilts & Culture Official
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Started in 2003, USA Kilts is a team of kilt makers and artisans located in Spring City PA. In 2017, we made it our mission to build community and bring kilts and Celtic culture to the forefront with our YT show: Kilts & Culture.

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