The Scottish Tartans Museum

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Franklin, NC 28734

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Sgians Dubh


(Gaelic Sgian Dubh, or "Black Knife")

Sgians Dubh are now a very traditional and necessary part of Highland Dress.  Some do not consider a man in a kilt fully dressed unless he is wearing his sgian dubh.  Sgian Dubh is the Gaelic for "black knife."  This name may have come from the dark color of the knives or because of the fact that they were hidden.  These knives are utility blades rather than weapons.  Originally they were one half of a set of hunting knives, consisting of a large dirk for butchering and a smaller knife for skinning. The huntsman would keep the small skinning knife in the top of his hose as he butchered the animal for convenience.  In the nineteenth century, the gentry adopted this fashion into their formal wear, and the dress sgian dubh was born.  The earliest depiction of a sgian dubh being worn is in an 1815 portrait of Colonel Alasdair Ronaldson MacDonnell of Glengarry, a copy of which is on display in the Scottish Tartans Museum.

We are proud to offer a beautiful, newly expanded line of  Sgians dubh manufactured in Scotland, which we believe they are the highest quality you can buy at any price.  These are made in Irvine, on the west coast of Scotland, by Charles Buyers & Co., Ltd., who have been making fine sgians dubh for over 25 years.  The majority of these sgians are made with top quality pewter mounts and stainless steel blades, which for safety reasons are supplied blunt.  They are capable of having an edge put on them, but they will be shipped from us with a dull edge.

Most styles of non-stone capped sgians dubh are kept in stock.  Out of inventory items can typically be shipped in 4 to 6 weeks.  A small selection of stone capped sgians is normally stocked, but most will require special ordering and ship in 4 to 6 weeks.

Click any thumbnail image for a larger version.

CELTIC SGIANS DUBH
SD55: Matt Silver Plated Finish

This Celtic Sgian Dubh is very popular, and represents the classic Victorian style with a modern flourish.

$55.95

 
SD55/ABCEJ: Matt Silver Plated Finish with Stone

The same Celtic Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$58.95

Stone Color:

 
SD36: Polished Pewter Finish

This Celtic Sgian Dubh is one of our most popular, with the pewter accents giving it that nice antiqued look.

$49.95
SD36/ABCEJ: Polished Pewter Finish with Stone

The same Celtic Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$53.95

Stone Color:
SD39: Palladium Plated Finish

This Celtic Sgian Dubh has a high polished look to it that is reminiscent of sterling silver.

$55.95
SD39/ABCEJ: Palladium Plated Finish with Stone

The same Celtic Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$58.95

Stone Color:

THISTLE SGIANS DUBH
SD70: Polished Pewter Finish

This classic, standard dress sgian dubh has a thistle design motif, evoking the national flower of Scotland.

$49.95
SD70/ABCEJ: Polished Pewter Finish with Stone

The same Thistle Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$53.95

Stone Color:

 
SD74: Matt Silver Plated Finish

This classic, standard dress sgian dubh has a thistle design motif, evoking the national flower of Scotland.

$55.95
SD74/ABCEJ: Matt Silver Plated Finish with Stone

The same Thistle Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$58.95

Stone Color:
SD26: Plain Celtic

Simple and understated, this is a timeless, all purpose style of sgian dubh.

$46.95

SALTIRE SGIANS DUBH
SD75: Saltire Sgian Dubh

A classic dress sgian dubh style with the Scottish national flag proudly displayed in the sheath.

$58.95
SD75B: Saltire Sgian Dubh with Blue Stone

The same Saltire sgian dubh as above, supplied with a blue stone cap.

$63.95

CONTEMPORARY SGIANS DUBH
SD110/ABCEJ: The Ross

With the rise in popularity of more contemporary styles of kilt, a contemporary sgian dubh lends itself well to modern wear.

$87.95

Stone Color:

 
SD111/ABCEJ: The Moray

With the rise in popularity of more contemporary styles of kilt, a contemporary sgian dubh lends itself well to modern wear.

$87.95

Stone Color:
SD112/ABCEJ: The Lochaber

With the rise in popularity of more contemporary styles of kilt, a contemporary sgian dubh lends itself well to modern wear.

$87.95

Stone Color:

 

IMITATION SGIANS DUBH
SD25: Imitation Sgian Dubh

This dummy sgian dubh has no blade, making it especially suitable for children, and those needing to travel by air.  Mounts are palladium plated

$24.95
SD25/ABCEJ: Imitation Sgian Dubh with Stone

The same imitation Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit of flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$28.50

Stone Color:

 

CUILLIN SGIANS DUBH
RSD12/ABCEJ: Cuillin Celtic Sgian Dubh

This sgian dubh has a military style handle and comes supplied with your choice of five colors of imitation stones.  Celtic Knot design emblem.

$81.95

Stone Color:

 

 
RSD13/ABCEJ: Cuillin Thistle Sgian Dubh

This sgian dubh has a military style handle and comes supplied with your choice of five colors of imitation stones.  Thistle design emblem.

$81.95

Stone Color:

SILVER SGIANS DUBH
SD40/ABCEJ: The Morar

This thistle shaped sgian dubh has sterling silver mounts and is supplied in a leather covered sheath in a presentation box. Polish cloth included. Hallmarked in Edinburgh.

$215.95

Stone Color:

 
SD41/ABCEJ: The Lomond

This classic basket weave sgian dubh has sterling silver mounts and is supplied in a leather covered sheath in a presentation box.  Polish cloth included. Hallmarked in Edinburgh.

$215.95

Stone Color:
SD46/ABCEJ: The Rannoch

This sgian dubh is made from African blackwood, with silver mounts and a leather covered sheath.  Supplied in a presentation box with a polish cloth included. Hallmarked in Edinburgh.

$215.95

Stone Color:

 
SD80: Staghorn with Silver Mounts

This stag horn sgian dubh is made from authentic Scottish horn taken from fallen or shed antlers.  Capped with a sterling silver thistle cap, and with silver mounts on a leather covered sheath.  Comes in a top quality gift presentation box with a polishing cloth. Hallmarked in Edinburgh.

$215.95

 
PEWTER DRESS SGIANS DUBH
SD30: The Morar

This thistle shaped sgian dubh has pewter mounts and is supplied in a leather covered sheath.

$98.95

 
SD30/ABCEJ: The Morar with Stone

The same Morar Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit more flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$102.95

Stone Color:

 
SD33: The Lomond

This classic basket weave sgian dubh has pewter mounts and is supplied in a leather covered sheath. 

$98.95
SD33/ABCEJ: The Lomond with Stone

The same Lomond Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to add a bit more flash to your dress sgian dubh.  Stones are imitations.

$102.95

Stone Color:
STAGHORN SIANS DUBH
SD90: Staghorn with Blackwood

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with blackwood on the back and top.

$61.95
SD90S: Staghorn with Blackwood & Staghead

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with blackwood on the back and top, and staghead emblem on cap.

$64.95
SD90T: Staghorn with Blackwood & Thistle

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with blackwood on the back and top, and thistle emblem on cap.

$64.95
SD91: Staghorn with Walnut

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with walnut on the back and top.

$61.95
SD91S: Staghorn with Walnut and Staghead

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with walnut on the back and top, and staghead emblem on cap.

$64.95
SD91T: Staghorn with Walnut and Thistle

The staghorn sgian dubh is a very popular daywear model.  The horn used is fallen, or shed horn.  Stags shed their antlers each year.  Use of the staghorn does not cause any harm or endanger the species.  Finished with walnut on the back and top, and thistle emblem on cap.

$64.95

DAYWEAR SGIANS DUBH
SD50: The Torridon Thistle

The Torridon is a quality daywear sgian dubh. It is made with a real blackwood handle, and mounted with a pewter thistle.

$61.95
SD50/ABCEJ: The Torridon Thistle with Stone

The same Torridon Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to make this moden a bit more dressy.  Stones are imitations.

$64.95

Stone Color:
SD51: The Torridon Celtic

The Torridon is a quality daywear sgian dubh. It is made with a real blackwood handle, and mounted with a pewter celtic knot design.

$63.95
SD52: The Torridon, plain Blackood

The Torridon is a quality daywear sgian dubh. It is made with a real blackwood handle, and mounted with a pewter cap.

$61.95
SD53: The Torridon, plain Rosewood

The Torridon is a quality daywear sgian dubh. It is made with a real rosewood handle, and mounted with a pewter cap.

$61.95
SD53/ABCEJ: The Torridon, Rosewood with Stone

The same Torridon Sgian Dubh as above, supplied with one of five colored stones to make this moden a bit more dressy.  Stones are imitations.

$64.95

Stone Color:
RSD6: The Glenurquhart

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95

RSD7: The Scotsman

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95
RSD8: The Thistle

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95
RSD9: The Lion Rampant

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95
RSD10: Celtic

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95
RSD11: Scotland

This range of daywear sgians dubh has hand stained resin handles and come with a real leather sheath embossed with a traditional celtic knot.

$44.95

PEWTER SGIANS DUBH
SD95: The Earn

This model is both traditional and contemporary. The celtic knot handle is solid pewter, making this a truly unusual accessory for your Highland outfit.

$57.95
SD97: The Ryan

This model is both traditional and contemporary. The thistle handle is solid pewter, making this a truly unusual accessory for your Highland outfit.

$57.95
SD98/ABCEJ: The Boisdale

This solid pewter celtic knot handle is capped with your choice of five colored stones and presented in a dress sheath.

$57.95

Stone Color:
SD99: The Tay

This open knotwork pewter handle is capped with your choice of five colored stones and presented in a dress sheath.

$57.95

Stone Color:

SD94/ABCEJ: The Lochy

This open basketweave polsihed pewter handle is capped with your choice of five colored stones and presented in a dress thistle sheath.

$57.95

Stone Color:

SD94M/ABCEJ: The Lochy, Matt finish

The same style as above with a matt finish.

$64.95

Stone Color:

“I do not prize the word 'cheap.' It is not a badge of honor. It is a symbol of despair. Cheap prices make for cheap goods; cheap goods make for cheap men; and cheap men make for a cheap country.” -- Wm. McKinley, 25th President of the United States, Scottish descendant.

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