Thoughts on the Sgian Dubh

I give some thoughts on the myths and legends of the Sgian Dubh, a small traditional knife of Scotland. I also look at some of the lower priced Sgian Dubhs that are often seen on eBay and and other online stores and give my thoughts on those as well. And yes, of course I show off the Sgian Dubh that was gifted to me my a true Gentleman and a Scot, Slick Slicers.
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[@slick_slicers]

I think a lot of the history around Scottish Highland address is Victorian BS! I believe Sir Walter Scott is responsible for a lot of it. That black one is very much the style worn today, and the quality is probably also fairly typical. There is an exception in UK knife law that allows the wearing of bladed articles where they are part of a national or traditional dress. For example Sikhs wearing the Kirpan. This means that not only can somebody legally wear Sgian Dubh, but a full on dirk or even a sword. That being said, you probably won’t get in to a night club or anything similar with even a cheap tin foil bladed Sgian Dubh, hence the prevalence of non-bladed ones. The one I sent you is not really typical, but is inspired by one that I have had for 30 years. It’s slightly smaller than the original because I just sent Ashley some photos. The original didn’t have the brass liners and had wooden covers. It’s also reminiscent of Arthur Wright’s Senator folder. The important thing for me was that it should be a proper working knife and not just a symbol. Anyway, I’m glad you liked it.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

It is nice that the UK has this exemption in place. Hopefully it will remain in place. I'm aware that the one you sent me isn't like many of the historical examples but it is similar to many of the modern ones out there. I would love to see a company make a full tang version of the black one with a decent set of carved wood handles and brass fittings. I know bog oak would be an incredibly expensive version but laser cut pakkawood and stamped brass fittings and crest would be so much nicer than plastic. I think an 8.5 in example (4.5 in blade and handle) would be ideal but a 4/4 version would also be cool. I've seen one with a crown stag handle that I might have to grab. I saw one in bog oak but the price tag was absolutely crazy for a modern production sgian dubh. Anyway, with all that said. For $12 that little black one is probably "good enough" for most of the people who wear kilts in US! It's at least a $12 reasonable facsimile. LOL

[@McRedneck]

spoken like someone who knows nothing of scottish history

[@bishop6426]

A very interesting video, Tobias. I enjoyed the historical background. Thanks much.

[@occasionalnick1000]

Thanks Tobias for another informative video. I'm not a fixed blade fan, but I do have one of these because of family heritage. If the vendor is to be trusted, it is Sheffield made with carbon steel and a "stag horn" handle. Best wishes.

[@davidkurle5418]

This video was a joy to watch, buddy! Cheers!

[@JoseGonzalez-yx6vm]

Great video behind the history of these knives, thanks. Tobias.

[@rasputinscastle]

Great info, Tobias. Thanks 😊

[@boomshanka8743]

I was shopping online for a sgian dubh when the alert for your video appeared on the top of my screen. How did you know? 😂

[@seanrobinson6407]

Artificial intelligence is keeping track of you and the algorithms send you things of interest based on your searches.

[@klaassiersma4892]

I had one as a kid, (lost it I'm afraid later on in life). It was a gift from my dad who had his military training in Scotland just after WW2. I always had the impression mine was more like a piece of dress jewellery belonging to a Scottish regimental uniform of some kind, rather than a knife that was used as one, but indeed carried in the top of the sock.

[@lewisgreenway5065]

There is a company in Scotland making them called "the SGIAN DUBH Co" might be something there you takes your fancy.

[@Herpetile]

I got one from them recently , only thing is it doesn’t have an edge on it … still got at the tartan museum

[@EdAtoZ]

Tobias, I like the idea of the bottle opener. I wonder if their is one that has a combo two tool (bottle opener and can opener) with a sheath ?

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

You should check out the "Officers Sgian Dubh. Expensive but it has a bottle opener and a corkscrew located in the handle.

[@richardmcginnis5344]

i have an armpit dagger, i took an airsoft shoulder holster rig pulled the holster off ran new straps adjustable for size of the person who would wear it and used chicago rivets to fasten it to my cold steel counter tac-1. its an older counter tac-1 made in seki city so its a good one and removed but kept the removable clip

[@paulf2529]

Really interesting video thanks Tobias.

[@RandysWSG]

These are really cool!!

[@propblast82nd]

Another interesting video, thanks Tobias

[@dougwatkins5441]

I like these I always thought they were daggers goes to show you never get to old to learn. Thanks Tobias

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Sort of the sunfish of daggers. Short, robust and single edged!

[@martinjones215]

I understood that the sgian dubh was a peasant knife, often with a wooden scabbard which hold tight the knife when is carried into a bag or poach. The way that is meant to be carry suggests a tool more than a weapon. Thank you Tobias.

[@bdh3949]

An interesting design to go with their history. So I am guessing that the good ol' American boot knife is actually a Sgian Dubh, even some of the carry "etiquette". Cool knives and history Tobias, thank you.

[@jeffjackson5331]

Cool. Interesting history

[@kniceslice780]

I finally know how to pronounce it! LOL!! Great vid! Thanks for that!

[@terrillschneider3778]

Tremendously interesting for me

[@gizmocarr3093]

The Sgian Dubh was a utility knife carried by the working class and adopted by the wealthy because it was so useful at the time. Women carried them in their aprons working in garden and kitchen. They also carried them folded into the sash of their dress for defensive use. My grandmother carried one she learned from her mother who emigrated from Ireland. The name indicates any small size knife carried by man or woman. I never saw my grandmother wear anything other than a dress most of her life. She believed women shouldn’t wear trousers because it was un-lady like; my grandmother was Scotch Irish. 🤣😂

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I'm with you. I think it was just a general purpose knife and at some point someone moved it from the belt, purse or pocket and put in the top of the sock. Why? It's a handy place to store a small knife, especially if you're sitting.

[@davew5583]

@Tobias Gibson I’m no expert, but I am in Scotland and I am Scottish. Most people here know way less than you. They just think it’s something that they put in their sock when wearing dress kilt for a wedding. The most reliable thing I’ve heard relates to “Black”. As you say is correct. But relating to the bog oak wood the handles were, most commonly, made from. It’s a black knife for a visual reason, nothing more. I’ve also heard the English named it that, but in a Celt wording that got moved to Gaelic. Don’t take my for word it, I’m no historian. Just the most likely from what I’ve heard. I..e it never mattered the size of the knife. Just the rarity of the handle material got more rerated to the smaller tools.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

That all make sense to me. The stories of hidden knives has so many holes in it that it is really hard to accept when you start thinking about it. The knife being the color black seems much more logical. And the knife just looks like a utility tool more than a weapon.

[@tomjeffersonwasright2288]

Was the original style single edge or sharp on both sides? If it was designed for combat, it would be double edged.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

From what I have read, it has always been a single edge spear point blade. I’m sure double edge versions existed but that wasn’t the norm.

[@inregionecaecorum]

I have a home handled sgian dubh with a sheffield made blade which I have worn without a problem with highland dress, I also have a sgian brew with a stag handle I made myself from an old church key bottle opener, which is for those places that are more squeamish about live blades. I have also got a dirk with a sheffield blade again with a stag handle made by myself and a sheath incorporating a full eating set of stag handle KFS which I also made. As for the utility of a proper sgian dubh, I have used it for preparing vegetables and whittling, it would also be useable as a steak knife. I have yet to find a practical use for the dirk other than for swearing blood oaths against my foes :) I have more practical knives which I use for bushcraft.

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Sounds like a great collection of knives. Ah, the old blood oaths.

[@kathleensmith370]

great info

[@SYNosiris]

In the uk Sgian Dubhs must be 3.5 “ blade or less and can be legally carried in Scotland as long as wearing a kilt

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Well, I guess that's better than nothing -- and a good reason to wear a kilt!

[@weallwearbandaids9829]

I bought 4 "Damascus" knives for less than $6 each. The fun factor is about 10. I don't know anything else about it other than that

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

I have to admit it. I buy two or three Pakistan made “Damascus” knives a year. My limit is no more than $20 ( including the shipping costs) and it must ship from an American vendor. There’s a couple vendors who have some pretty decent products.

[@weallwearbandaids9829]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias I love playing the low ball game on eBay. Bid on about 10 coming down the pipe and see if I win any. I sent one straight to a friend in Dallas from the win and one home. Then I won 2 more after that. I couldn't ship it myself for $5.50 to Dallas. plus it's like getting free leather sheaths. What a blast.

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

Interesting history

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

I like the primitive look.

[@charlesglacken9815]

This guy knows his history and anyone who is interested in facts should listen

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Thanks, Charles!

[@Theknifenutbige]

Hey boss

[@Robbie7441]

Dubh is pronounced the same as the bird dove . Irish gaelic .

[@billballbuster7186]

Interesting talk. The Sgisn Dubh was historically a personal knife for every day use with a secondary defense capability, usually it was kept in your scrip/sporran (purse) on your belt. Up to the 1800s everybody carried a knife. Only much later It became a dress knife for wearing wih traditional outfit. In England you are allowed a knife with slip lock up to 3" blade for everyday carry. You can carry other knives outdoors for fishing, hunting, camping etc or wearing with a costume or uniform. But the stupid woke British police may harras you if they see it. Lockbacks, Butterfly, Assisted etc are banned.

[@paulf2529]

You can still carry a longer or locking blade if you have good reason ie carrying s multi tool to assist with your work. I carry my own swiss tool as an edc at all times, to me it represents a utility tool rather than simply having locking blades.

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

Too bad the Chinese made one handles look like plastic

[@KnifeChatswithTobias]

Are plastic and look like plastic. As they say, you get what you pay for. The problem is, nobody is making a good sgian dubh in what i would consider a mid-range price. The $30-$50 ones are out of Pakistan with all the stereo typical issue you expect for a knife out of Pakistan. Crappy wood scrap handles and poorly heat treated so call Damascus.

[@SubUrbanNinja-EDC]

@@KnifeChatswithTobias that's a shame. It is a great looking design and it deserves real craft.