the carrying of a Sgian Dubh in England

[alex502]

I am a bagpipe player with a small pipe band in Bridlington. I would like to know if it is legal for us to wear our Sgian Dubh's in public. I also wear my kilt on social occasions am i breaking the law by wearing my my Sgian Dubh?

[puss_boots]

Why didn't you just say a knife, I had to google Sgian Dubh cause I didn't know what it was.

I can't answer your question but I would have thought it best not to wear one in public due to the resent knife crime.
I'm sure you are very resposible but could someone take it from you and use it.

[kitiekebab]

The Kirpan (ceremonial sword) worn by followers of the Sikh religion sometimes raises questions or concerns among people who are unfamiliar with the religion or it's tenants. The Kirpan is an ingrained part of the Sikh religion and is in many ways it�s religious symbolism is similar to the Cross in Christianity. Just as a Cross is worn be devout Christians, baptized Sikhs are required to wear the Kirpan. The Kirpan is no more symbolic a weapons than the Christian Cross is symbolic of a torture instrument.

the law may effect a few groups of people

[joggerjayne]

Instead of getting a handful of unreliable opinions on AB, why don't you just ask at your local Police Station - if I wear my ceremonial, and symbolic, sgian dubh, will you run me in?

Last time I went to a Burn's Night supper, my (ex) other half wore the full regalia, but his little dagger had a proper decorative handle, but with an artificial blade.

[willowman]

I once asked to see a scotsmans sgian dubh, he pulled out the handle and it was attached to a bottle opener - great idea I thought.

[Jubbler]

I know this question is long since abandoned but I thought I could answer it for future googlers who want to know the answer. It is LEGAL to carry your Sgian Dubh in England and Wales as long as the wearer is in full Scottish national dress at the time... So the knife is ok as long as your wearing the skirt basically... Relevant legislation: Criminal Justice Act 1988 Sec.139 and Offensive Weapons Act 1996 Sec.3 and 4

[taggytrax]

additional to Jubbler post before...wearing the Sgian Dubh is permitted while wearing highland dress, but if you wave the sgian dubh about, it is immediately classified as an offensive weapon irregarless of its size. Another more serious point to consider is that even if your sgian dubh remains safely tucked in your hose (sock) , if you act in a threatening manner or get involved in an altercation, the sgian dubh is again considered and offensive weapon. So, think before getting into an argument.

[johnnya10]

http://www.legislatio...and-offensive-weapons - Having looked at the Criminal Justice Act 1988 as mentioned above, I'm still slightly unsure. It appears actually to be relevant to Clause 5 but this pertains to a "folding" pocket knife and Sgian Dubhs are not traditionally folding knives. Does this have any bearing?