A Sgian Dubh is a small, Scottish knife that is often worn in the leg of the stocking when wearing a kilt. It is pronounced "Skee'-an Duu". There is some disagreement over the correct spelling and its meaning. Here are a couple of examples: Skeen Dhu, Skein Dubh, Skhian Dhu, Skean Dubh, and Sgian Dubh. But a look into a Gaelic Dictionary will show you that the correct spelling must be "Sgian Dubh". "Sgian" means knife, and "Dubh" means black, but the sense of the word can also be hidden or secret. So it's a black and / or hidden knife.

The true origin of the Sgian Dubh is not known. But the oldest ones we know of had a different kind of blade than the kind we see today, and a very simple handle and sheath. In the 18th and 19th centuries a "Sgian Achlais" is referred to for the first time in writing. The Skean Achlais had a blade of approximately 10-12 cm., and was kept hidden in the coat sleeve at the armpit. Bear in mind that it was at this time that the English had forbidden the Scots to carry weapons and bagpipes, and wear tartan kilts. Therefore, everything that could be perceived as a weapon was kept out of sight. But when entering a friend's home, men had the custom of displaying all of their weapons in order to prove their peaceful intentions. That is probably why one's knife was placed in the leg of the stocking where it was fully visible. That was a comfortable place to wear it, and at the same time it was easy to reach for when it was needed as an eating utensil.

Another theory is that the Sgian Dubh has developed from the small skinning knife that was part of a typical set of hunting- or Grallochknives (to pull the entrails out of a deer). Such a set usually consisted of a butcher's knife with a blade of 25-30 cm, and a skinning knife with a blade of 8-10 cm.

It is most likely that both theories hold some truth. It seems that the most important use of the Sgian Dubh always has been as an article for everyday use.

(This information is largely made up of excerps from an article by Jonas Ibsen, of JI-Knives (http://www.ji-knives.dk).)