Scottish Skean Dhu

Battara · 17th October 2016, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I remain curious on the 'jimping' or notching along the blade at the back, often I think on dirks as well. I think this was for the utility purposes in many cases....scaling fish?

I thought this notching was for thumb placement, even on dirks starting from the early 19th century. Makes a better grip for the thumb so it won't slip as easily.

Pukka Bundook · 17th October 2016, 04:02 AM

Jim,

I think in the days of proscription, the sgian dubh was still carried inside the waistcoat as a hidden weapon. (Black= hidden as you suggest) After all, anything inside the hose is going to show!
I gather it was later, in the Highland revival that it began to be worn in the hose top, and showing.

Norman McCormick · 17th October 2016, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Jim,

I gather it was later, in the Highland revival that it began to be worn in the hose top, and showing.

Hi,
These days almost all "Scottishness" re dress etc can be traced back to Victorian embellishments and ideas made popular by Victoria and Albert and their fascination with Scotland. Even earlier Sir Walter Scott in his novels romanticised the idea of Scotland and all things Scottish but then again they were novels and a lot of them are still a good read today.
Regards,
Norman.

corrado26 · 17th October 2016, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

a lot of them are still a good read today.

This I must really agree with - I love these novels and have red them more than once
corrado26

Battara · 17th October 2016, 05:10 PM

Yeah anything truly Scottish before Victorian influence is from the
Battle of Culloden and back.

However, when it comes to sgian dubhs, I have found that the later mid-19th century showed more Celtic knotwork (which I dearly love!

). Yet I favor dirks from the 1780s back.

Strange, I know................

Jim McDougall · 17th October 2016, 08:40 PM

It is good to see that true romantics abound here!!!
ere's to ye lads!!!

blue lander · 26th October 2016, 07:31 PM

Is there a significance to the hilt being black? I ask because I've been reading through the Irish "National Folklore Collection", and several stories involve using a "black handled knife" to break a curse or other "magic". It makes me wonder if there's some cultural significance to black handled knives in Celtic cultures.

Here are some examples of stories featuring a black handled knife:

http://www.duchas.ie/en/src?q=black+handled+knife

26th October 2016, 07:31 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Is there a significance to the hilt being black? I ask because I've been reading through the Irish "National Folklore Collection", and several stories involve using a "black handled knife" to break a curse or other "magic". It makes me wonder if there's some cultural significance to black handled knives in Celtic cultures. Here are some examples of stories featuring a black handled knife: http://www.duchas.ie/en/src?q=black+handled+knife Last edited by blue lander; 26th October 2016 at 07:41 PM.

17th October 2016, 04:02 AM	#2
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	Jim, I think in the days of proscription, the sgian dubh was still carried inside the waistcoat as a hidden weapon. (Black= hidden as you suggest) After all, anything inside the hose is going to show! I gather it was later, in the Highland revival that it began to be worn in the hose top, and showing.

17th October 2016, 05:10 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	Yeah anything truly Scottish before Victorian influence is from the Battle of Culloden and back. However, when it comes to sgian dubhs, I have found that the later mid-19th century showed more Celtic knotwork (which I dearly love! ). Yet I favor dirks from the 1780s back. Strange, I know................

17th October 2016, 08:40 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	It is good to see that true romantics abound here!!! ere's to ye lads!!!