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Like the kilt itself, Sgian Dhubs appeared in 18th Century Scotland. "Sgian Dhub" means "black knife"...probably a reference to its being worn hidden except when in a friend's home, when it was worn quite visibly tucked into the top of one's hose (sock). The wearing of Sgian Dhubs does not appear to have been widely accepted until well into the 1800's.
The early sgian dubhs were often crudely made by local Scottish smiths. They usually had antler or horn handles and were mounted in brass. They were slightly larger than is common in today's sgian dhubs, with blades ranging from 3½ to 4 inches. The handles were full round, with little consideration given to how the knife would fit the anatomy of the wearer. The early blades frequently had a clipped point, a style that we now associate with the Bowie knife. Some had the scalloped filework on the back of the blade that is now common on all Scottish knives. As time went on, the blades were shortened slightly, running between 3 and 3½ inches. The shape was altered to a spear point, and filework became universal. Today, the sgian dhub has lost much of its glamour. The great majority are made in the Philippines, India or Hong Kong. Little attention is paid to the blade, and some blades are even made of nickel-plated brass. The handles are usually plastic fitted with nickel-plated pot-metal castings and holding plastic stones. Some are not even knives at all, but a plastic handle and sheath cast as one piece. Sgian dhubs are traditionally worn in the right kilt hose (sock) on the outside of the leg. Part of the handle should be tucked in — not just the sheath — to help make certain the blade does not come out accidentally. |
