WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS FOR A REALLY GREAT YEAR IN 2012. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AT THE GAMES IN 2013.

The sgian dubh, which is Gaelic for “black knife”, is carried in the top of the modern Highlander’s kilt hose. There are many stories told about why they are carried that way, most of them probably false. In fact, sgians were primarily utility knives, not weapons. The great kilt, which was worn by the Highlander of old, had many folds or pockets, where these small knives could be carried but the modern kilt does not. The sgian is a little too large to carry in the sporran so the logical thing to do is tuck it in the top of the kilt hose. The term “black knife” refers to the way these knives were hidden in the folds of the great kilt in the old days, not the color of the handle. We are a bit short of sgian dubh suppliers at the moment and can only offer three types on a regular basis.

THE REGIMENTAL SGIAN DUBH

This sgian dubh (left), from Windlass Steelcrafts, is a good example of the sgians carried by the soldiers of the Highland regiments during the 19th c. This neat little knife has a black wooden handle carved on one side with cross hatchings and smooth on the side which touches your leg. The metal fittings on the knife are embossed nickel silver with a thistle motif. The pommel has a crown, making it a good companion piece for either the Dirk for Dress or Daywear or the Bonny Dirk. This knife is very light at only two ounces and is only 6.5 inches long. The blade measures 3.75 inches and is jimped and sports a short fuller. The sheath is covered in leather and also sports nickel silver fittings. Does not come sharpened but it can be.

This traditional knife is only $44 postpaid.

THE NO WORRY SGIAN DUBH

When we first began to carry the sgian on the right, we had no name for it. Then we came up with the perfect name - “The No Worry Sgian Dubh”. What that means is that if you lose this sgian, and they do sometimes slip out of the tops of kilt hose, you are not going to worry about it.  It only costs $14 postpaid. Patterned after a fairly common style of sgian made by a number of Scottish cutlers, instead of turned ebony, bull horn and fancy hardwood, this sgian is plastic.  It has a good quality stainless steel blade of the correct pattern, jimped back and fuller. The blade is sharp which can some times create a problem for the sheath which is laced and somewhat vulnerable to being cut when the very sharp blade is inserted. But, that is not a big deal considering the low price. We could not get these for awhile but they are available from a new supplier. The knife is 7 inches overall with a 3.5 inch blade. Buy one and keep it as a spare.

 COMRIE CRAFTS SGIAN DUBHS

As we have done in years past, we are placing our inventory of the high-quality Comrie Crafts Sgians on the web site. We received our Fall restocking order after our major games which means that we have more on hand than usual. We will not restock until Spring. All knives subject to prior sale. We think these are the finest Sgians produced in Scotland.  All natural materials such as red deer antler and exotic hardwood for the handles, high quality stainless steel blades with jimped backs and handmade sheaths make these knives heirloom quality, worthy of being handed down to later generations. Great Christmas gifts. Pricing and descriptions can be found under the photos. Each knife comes with a sturdy gift box.

Packing and post are only $5 per knife. 

Red deer antler from Scotland adorns these sgians. From left to right we have a red deer crown with Celtic Knot inlay for $105. We have two in stock. Next is a plain red deer crown for $105.  We have two of these. The third sgian has a pewter thistle inlay in the red deer crown. It is also $105 and we have one on hand. The last sgian pictured is made of a red deer antler beam crowned with a bull horn cap and sells for $105. We have just one. All these knives are trimmed with ebony or other exotic woods for a beautiful effect.

Finally we have four sgians with exotic wood handles. From the left we have a sgian with arctic birch handle. Arctic birch is seldom found in this country and we are fortunate to have a sgian made from this beautiful wood. It is trimmed in African blackwood. Price is $105. Next is a coco bolo handled sgian, trimmed in ebony for $110. The handle is capped with a brass plate, suitable for engraving.  The third sgian is ebony with a pewter thistle inlay and bog oak trim. The bog oak is estimated to be 6,000 years old. It is sold.  Finally we have a sgian with a spalted beech handle. We have pictured the back of the handle which has some exotic grain but the handle is shaped so that you can wear either side out. Trimmed in ebony, it is only $105.  All these knifes except for the coco bolo handle, have bull horn caps. We only have one each of these knives.

SILVER SGIAN DUBH

Here is a neat little sgian which we sold at the games this year. Just over 7 inches long it has a 3.5 inch jimped stainless steel blade. The decorative trim is thistles and the handle and sheath are plastic but look and feel like wood. A nice little sgian for only $15 postpaid.

SHEFFIELD SGIAN DUBH

We recently spotted the Sheffield Sgian Dubh in a supplier’s catalog and instantly recognized it as the near twin of the first sgian we ever owned, back in the late 70s. This one is made by the firm of Jno Will & Sons of Sheffield, England. The blade is stainless, the handle appears to be paduk, a tropical hardwood. The back of the handle is “dished” so it fits the curvature of your leg quite well. Heavy leather sheath.

This light weight and authentic sgian is yours for a mere $52 postpaid.