Gregory toner, maire ni mhaonaigh, sharon arbuthnot, dagmar wodtko, maireluise theuerkauf, editors 2019, dub, in edil. It is also suggested that black means secret or hidden as its origins may have evolved from the sgian achlais, a dagger that could be concealed under the armpit. Clan crest stag handle sgian dubh made in scotland the. Our gallery of sgian dubhs the real sgian dubh company. The sgian dubh knife was a small backup weapon and utility blade, usually concealed in the folds of the great kilt. Highlanders typically carried full sets of various weapons. Sgian dubh is gaelic for black knife which may refer to the usual colour of the handle of the knife. The history of the scottish sgian dubh the knights vault. The blade is stainless, the handle appears to be paduk, a tropical hardwood. A scottish tradition, originally sgian dubhs were commonly worn under the shirt close to the armpit. Now it is traditional for the sgian dubh to be worn in the stocking of the highlander, and the knife is frequently called a stocking dirk. For help with downloading a wikipedia page as a pdf, see help. Clan crest sgian dubh, dirk, knife, dagger celtic studio. The name comes from the scottish gaelic sgian dubh.
Used by the scots of the 17th and 18th centuries, this knife was slightly. Presentation boxes my sgian dubhs are supplied in a smart card presentation box as standard which has a card with some information on your sgian dubh, including the serial number, materials used, a short background history, and its care and maintenance. Our retail store is located at 570 bryne drive in barrie, ontario, canada. Available in the clan name of your choice with 6 different coloured stones and supplied in a presentation box. Sgian skean dubh, pronounced skeen doo means black knife in gaelic. Presentation boxes my sgian dubhs are supplied in a smart card presentation box as standard which has a card with some information on your sgian dubh, including the serial number, materials used, a short background history.
The stone is multi facet cut and gold foil backed and the traditional 4piece celtic metalwork is cast in leadfree pewter and plated in palladium. During the 19th century it became a decorative knife used as part of a highland costume, but seldom used as a knife, and it was incorporated into britains scots regimental dress. When in the company of friends, it would be taken out and tucked into the top of the kilt hose as a sign of respect i. I use ballistol oil which is a good general purpose light oil and is also food. Scottish claymores, dirks, sgian dubh, daggers and more the evolution of scottish arms and armor is not generally written about in detail in comparison to other nations. Price depends on material used and detail required grips may be crafted with various woods including caledonian bog oak, stag antler or custom.
The interest of most early arms historiographers was in the clear trends in the evolution of arms and armor in europe and their influences on england. Sgian dubh knife kilt knife buy sgian dubhs knives. Real sgian dubhs with wooden handles made in the scottish. Handcrafting sgian dubhs in scotland for over 40 years. The name sgian dubh translates from gaelic ancient scots for black knife, i. It was originally concealed in a small pocket, usually sewn into the armpit area. Keep clean and dry and apply a very thin film of oil occasionally to the blade. The sgian dubh is an essential accessory for any kilt.
Media in category sgian dubh the following 6 files are in this category, out of 6 total. Mar 04, 2020 scottish kilt knife or dirk overall length 1012 blade length. Sgian dubhs sgian dubh is gaelic for black dubh dagger sgian, as invariably the handle was carved from black bog oak, and the word black also implies covert. Never has one piece of weaponry evoked so many different spellings some variations are skene du, skein dubh, skean dhu, sgian dubh and skhian dubh.
The evolution of scottish arms and armor is not generally written about in detail in comparison to other nations. A scottish tradition, the original sgian dubhs were frequently worn under the shirt close to the armpit. Kilts and highland wear accessories sgian dubhs page. The book covers extensive history and many, many pictures. The term sgian dubh itself actually means black handled knife. Care and maintenance it is always best for long term storage to remove the sheath to allow air to circulate around the blade. Sgian dubhs order your sgian dubh online now kinloch. Although the primary meaning of dubh is black, the secondary meaning of hidden is at the root of sgian dubh, based on the stories and theories surrounding the knifes origin, in particular those associated with the highland custom of depositing weapons at the entrance to a house prior to entering as a guest. In patrick toughers 56 years of collecting swords and dirks, he hasnt found a better book than the scottish dirk by james foreman on the history of scottish dirks. Every feature of this sgian dubh is crafted to the highest standard.
The handle and the sheath are a composite resin material. Sgian dubh knife kilt knife buy sgian dubhs knives usa. Mackay, eneas 1911 an etymological dictionary of the gaelic language. Tucked into the top of the kilt hose, a sgian dubh is the small, single edged knife worn with the top of the hilt visible against your calf. The top has an imitation yellow colored imitation cairngorm stone, one of the traditional stones of scotland. Made easy an expert insiders frank views and simple tips dr nicholas j. Knives and daggers this is a wikipedia book, a collection of wikipedia articles that can be easily saved, imported by an external electronic rendering service, and ordered as a printed book.
Our damascus sgian dubh has a black wooden handle that is carved on one side and smooth on the other. Sgian dubh knife blades in damascus, silver, titanium, etc. We are manufacturers of the worlds largest range of clan crested products, kilts, kilt jackets and highlandwear accessories and are constantly adding to the number of clans supported and the range of products. The wood used in the grips of the sgian dubh is from the walnut of a lee enfield rifle butt another iconic item. Scottish dirks and sgian dubhs withers, harvey j s on. This a great quality sgian dubh and a bargain at these prices. The interest of most early arms historiographers was in the clear trends in the evolution of arms and armor in europe and their influences. It is called a sgian dubh skien doo and, despite its size, it has great importance as part of the legacy and the history of the scottish highlanders and their way of life. I hope these pictures give you a feel for the level of craftsmanship involved in making your knife. The sgian dubh we see today is a mixture of history, myth and misinterpretation.
The sgian dubhmay have evolved from the sgian dubh, a larger knife concealed under the arm. Our forged carbon steel sgian dubh which weighs less than 2 oz. Buy beautiful and unique sgian dubhs online shop the. From simple plain sgian dubhs set with a stone, to our. Kilts, highlandwear, kilt hire and highland accessories. Traditional scottish made sgian dubh available in celtic or thistle pewter metal work with a st. Over the years, it became customary to take out your sgian dubh and tuck it in the top of your. Every kilt, skirt and sash is proudly made at our shop here in canada.
We recently spotted the sheffield sgian dubh in a suppliers catalog and instantly recognized it as the near twin of the first sgian we ever owned, back in the late 70s. Choose from more than 200 clan and nonclan crest badges, set in the top of the handle. Beautiful sgian dubh hand crafted in scotland to the highest standard. Sgian dubh, literally translated, means black knife. Scottish sgian dubh sgian dhu knives harp and dragon. Phonetically it is pronounced scheeeian doo and everyone has a favourite spelling. Our masonic sgian dubh is the perfect kilt knife to finish off your masonic kilt outfit.
Stainless steel bladeavailable in a choice of 6 stone colours or alternatively can be supplied with a plain metal top. Once i had more or less finalized the layout, i built a 14 scale radio controlled model and put it through a fairly stiff program. Sgian in gaelic means knife, the dubh part means black. Sgian dubh in burr wych elm and yew, scottish knife, skene dubh, scottish gift, wedding gift, groom gift, best man gift, mens gift ullapoolboxcreations 5 out of 5 stars 321. Natural materials and genuine craftsmanship mean that each sgian dubh is unique. This brand new sgian dubh is 712 long by 8 wide with a stainless steel blade and nickel silver plated. Walnut was the wood of choice up to the start of the second world war and these lee enfield rifle butts were made by h. Sgiandubh in additional to serving as a utility knife and as a weapon, the sgiandubhwas used for preparing and eating meat and. Sgian dubh history of the sgian dubh and how to wear it correctly. Scottish clan crest sgian dubh this beautiful sgian dubh or traditional scottish black handled knife is available mounted with your clan crest in lead free pewter or fine sterling silver. It has ancestral ties to the english dukes of bedford, and has numerous descendants in great britain and america. Now the stocking dirk is traditionally worn in the stocking of the highlander.
A full colour 176 page pdf price guide for collectors of british military swords. The hand crafted sgian dubhs made from local woods and naturally cast antler have a contemporary twist and are a great addition to our highland retail range. This reference book gives an in depth history of scottish dirks, from the 16th century up to present day. Handcrafted with en45 spring steel blades, brass or bronze hilt fittings and grips in mahogany or yew wood. If you have ever seen someone dressed in a kilt or highland outfit you might have noticed, peeking out the top of one of the wearers hose, a hilt of a small knife. It is made with a masonic emblem on the handle and is fitted with a sapphire colored stone. A sgian dubh is an essential part of a kilt outfit and can be quite striking works of art. Stainless steel double edged black hard scabbard with silver finished trim the sgian dubh is a small, singleedged knife gaelic sgian worn as part of traditional scottish highland dress along with the kilt. Sgian dubh history of the sgian dubh and how to wear it. Originally used for eating and preparing fruit, meat, and cutting bread and cheese, as well as serving for other more general daytoday uses such as cutting.
The sgian dubh is one of the small details which give even more historical significance to the whole kilt outfit. Scottish scottish claymores, dirks, sgian dubh, daggers and. Originally used for eating and preparing fruit, meat, and cutting bread and cheese as well as serving for other more general day. The standard size for most traditional sgian dubhs. Clan russell is a scottish armigerous clan, with claimed origins in normandy. This little detail on the highland outfit is the topic of todays post, the sgian dubh. The sgiandubhmay have evolved from the sgiandubh, a larger knife concealed under the arm. Sgian dubh is gaelic for black dubh dagger sgian, as invariably the handle was carved from black bog oak, and the word black also implies covert.
Sgian dubhs order your sgian dubh online now kinloch anderson. Sgian dubhs the sgian dubh is one of the small details which give even more historical significance to the whole kilt outfit. All of our sgian dubh for sale have steel blades, but are not sharpened before delivery, unless otherwise noted. Our sgian dubhs are available in stag and ox horn and are all crafted using traditional methods. Sgian dubh in additional to serving as a utility knife and as a weapon, the sgian dubhwas used for preparing and eating meat and. Kilts and highland wear accessories sgian dubhs page 1. The first recorded use of this type of modified sgian dubh was during the crimean war of 1853 to 185. New a brand new book scottish dirks and sgian dubhs now available. Scottish claymores, dirks, sgian dubh, daggers and more. The sgian dubh is a scottish knife that is worn on the calf of the leg tucked into your sock in highland wear. Normally this weapon of last resort was concealed, and only removed in the presence of a host out of courtesy, usually to be placed in the sock where it would be seen. Nowadays, the threetofour inch single edged knife is used purely as a decorative. A traditionally designed and scottish made sgian dubh available in celtic or thistle pewter metal work with a stainless steel blade and fancy stone top.
The sgiandubhpronounced skeendoo is a small, singleedged knife. The sgian dubh pronounced skeendoo is a small, singleedged knife. The commonest spelling is sgian dubh, but sgian dhu and other spelling variations are also allowable. Precision cut, profiled, ground, hardened and double tempered.