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 two types on a regular basis. Comrie Crafts has closed its shop while the owner recuperates from major surgery and we only have a few of their blades on hand. We will post photos and prices for these knives very soon, and hope that Jim soon returns to the shop. We have also located another supplier of sgians in Scotland which we will give a try very soon. Keep watching the site.

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.