The Sgian Dubh: Hand-Forged Damascus Steel with a Story to Tell

Every great Highland outfit has its finishing touch, and this is it. The sgian dubh (say it "skee-an-doo") is the small knife worn tucked into the top of your kilt hose, and it has been part of Highland dress for centuries. The name comes from Scottish Gaelic and is usually translated as "black knife" or "hidden knife". Small, yes. But it's the detail people notice.

A Blade Like No Other

Our sgian dubh is hand-forged from high-carbon Damascus steel, and it's an absolute showstopper. The steel is folded again and again during forging, creating that beautiful, flowing bird's-eye pattern that ripples along the length of the blade. And here's the best bit: no two Damascus blades are ever alike. The pattern on yours will be completely its own, as individual as the person wearing it.

The Handle: Where It Gets Really Special

This is the part we're proudest of. Every handle begins life as waste plastic, collected by our own team, from broken fish boxes to old plastic crates. We recover it, clean it, shred it and remould it into a tough, durable handle with a stunning marbled finish.

So you're not just wearing a piece of tradition. You're wearing something that's had a second chance, and that's a story worth telling at any wedding, ceilidh or Burns Night.

Ready to Gift, Ready to Wear

Each sgian dubh comes with a light tan leather sheath and arrives presented in a brown kraft gift box, making it a brilliant choice for groomsmen, graduations, birthdays or simply treating yourself. Because you deserve the finishing touch too.

Product Information

In line with UK law, all our sgian dubhs are supplied blunt.

Damascus steel is high-carbon and may tarnish or rust over time due to atmospheric moisture. This is natural to the material and not a fault. Keep it dry, oil it lightly and give it the occasional polish, and it will look brilliant for years to come.