[Justin Pasternak]

I was just curious if this particular small dagger could have had a blade length of 3 inches or less?

[Lin Robinson]

[quote="Justin Pasternak"]I was just curious if this particular small dagger could have had a blade length of 3 inches or less?[/quote

Most modern made sgians have a blade in the range of 3.5 inches. That is long enough to be useable and short enough to fit into the top of the kilt hose comfortably. Prior to the end of the 18th century these knives were carried hidden about the person and not in the top of the kilt hose.

[William C Champlin]

Hey Justin. Most nowadays are 3.5" but I've seen smaller ones. As I understand it , in history they were carried in the armpit area so as to conceal them from search. Here's mine. W

[Norman McCormick]

Dera Justin,
With regard to your enquiry regarding Sgian Dhubs. I'm not sure that length matters, to quote a much misused expression, these knives were utility items and made from whatever was available at the time. The Sgian Dhub that is normally seen these days is a Victorian concoction more for dress than function. Weapons grade steel/iron would have been scarce in the Highlands and so every scrap would have been utilised regardless if the result was a 4 inch knife or a 21/2 inch knife, if it was sharp and did the job then so be it that was all that was required. Although early Sgian Dhubs are rare there are quite a few early Dirks and a lot of them were reworked from broken and well used sword blades, there is probably every reason to suspect that Sgian Dhubs were no different and that they were made from whatever was available at the time. I suspect these knives were carried about the person normally i.e tucked into a belt or suchlike although there is good evidence to support the notion of them being carried in the clothing under the armpit, Sgian Achlais, giving rise to to the term Sgian Dhub, black knife or hidden knife. Putting the knife in your stocking top was a necessary courtesy when in the company of friends showing that you had no hidden weapons about your person and would not have been a reason to limit size big or small as the knife was not normally carried tucked into your sock. As with all tools time an constant use would determine the optimum size and design, so whatever suits your purpose is the best size of Sgian Dubh for you.
I hope this is of some use and might encourage you to design and make your own Sgian Dubh, as with many things "homegrown" is the best.
Regards, Norman.

[Justin Pasternak]

I thank all of you for your input on this topic!

I reason that I posted the topic in the first place is because, since they could be used as a concealed weapon, I was just curious on how small these particular blades could go and the smallest blade that I could find on this type of Scottish dagger was 4" inches in length. Thanks again.