Skean Dhus and Tactical folders

In this article I will discuss the use of the Skean Dhu, the traditional stocking knife of the Scottish Highlanders, in combat and how it translates to tactical folders.

In the Letters section of the October 1999 issue of Guns and weapons for Law Enforcement there appeared a letter entitled Scottish Knife Tradition that explained the traditional use of a Skean Dhu in combat.

I will hit the highlights and then explain the reference to tactical folders.

"(the author of the article the writer was referencing) was less than impressed by the examples of Skean Dhus he found in Scotland. That is easy to understand. Indeed, the Skean Dhu has deteriorated in to an article of gent’s jewelry....
Furthermore, people who are not experienced knife fighters always prefer a long blade and a very sharp edge. They are less than impressed with the tiny 4 inch blade of the traditional Skean Dhu. "

The author goes on to say he will not defend the modern Skean Dhu. Then he gives some of the common excuses highlanders will make for the modern Skean Dhu. He then gets to the important part.

"I have never killed a man with my Skean Dhu, but my grandfather did in world war one and his father, grandfather and all previous forebears killed men with their Skean Dhus..... My grandfather passed on the essential knife lore along with my first Skean Dhu when I was twelve."

He continues to describe a "proper" Skean Dhu. Basically make sure the hilt is bulky enough to fill your hand. Make sure it is of good steel. And curiously to blunt the factory edge a bit because "A sharp edge is inclined to stick in the wound and the hilt on a Skean Dhu is to short to extract it easily...". Then he gets on to how to use it.

"On using the Skean Dhu for what it was designed, you stab- you never slash. You use no finesse. You attack ferociously and stab repeatedly till the foe lies dead on the ground. With this weapon, the back handed down stoke into the shoulders and neck, attacking the sub-clavian arteries, carotid and jugular is most effective. After that, the back handed sidestroke in to the ribs can wreak havoc on the foe's heart and lungs. The forehand upstroke in to the belly is used as a last resort because the Skean Dhu is neither a slicing nor a ripping weapon but purely a stabbing one. The bear hug and simultaneous stab in the kidneys can be effective if you know your anatomy. These are quick kills.
However, many kills have been made by indiscriminate stabbing because the lance head shape and short, immensely strong blade of the Skean Dhu will force apart ribs with the greatest of ease, provided the stab is delivered with sufficient force."
After describing the techniques the author describes some caveats. One such is to never stab the spine because the spine will bend back on to the blade and nothing will make it bend forward. He then continues with how to carry the Skean Dhu.

"For concealment, carry the weapon in the middle of the back or under the armpit. The stocking top is thought to be the correct place to carry it, but old time highlanders never wore stockings. If you want to be sneaky, carry a dress Skean Dhu in your stocking and a real Skean Dhu concealed for a left hand draw. It's easy to use left handed."

He then proceeds to explain the attack strategy.
"Most important, when you use a weapon like this you must attack like an old time Highlander. You must charge at the foe, determined to kill or die in the attempt, screaming blue murder, your adrenaline pounding in your ears together with some ghostly bagpipe music; with visions of swirling tartan, proud banners, fierce warrior and blood knee deep in the heather.
This is not a defensive weapon. It is a brutal, killing instrument, plain and simple, and wickedly effective."

Now the question is "How does this related to tactical folders?" Well I look at the one sitting on my desk and I see many similarities. It has a short blade, it is easily concealed and it is too small to be a slashing weapon. The blade is only single edges (well the first third is double edged) and the handle is a little small but overall it is very similar in size and shape.

Essentially most tactical folders have blades smaller than 5 inches to keep them in the pocket knife category. And any time you pull a knife you better be prepared to kill. If you aren't it is time to re-examine why you pulled the knife. This style is perfect for the person whose only interest in knife fighting is for self preservation. It is easy to learn, brutally effective and does not require a large knife that can get you in trouble with the law.

To examine some issues that are directly related to the tactical folder. I would carry it on you belt, right by your strong side kidney, i.e.. Your right side if you are right handed. There are three reasons for this placement: It is out of view from the front. It is a fast draw, similar to where many experts will carry a concealed gun. And last, which is my favorite because I am a devious fellow, one could use subterfuge will deploying the knife. Most men carry their wallet in a back pocket; so one could tell a would be Mugger (while using the Fence to create space, perhaps), "Okay, You can take my wallet, just don't hurt me." Then you reach for your wallet and instead pull up a blade. This should give you the moment of surprise you need.

The second thing is that tactical folders are not made to be opened in an reverse grip, which is the ideal position for the type of fighting described above. However, with some practice one could flip it in to position. To accomplish this, grip the heel of the handle, i.e. the part furthest from the blade, with a thumb and two fingers. Let the knife hang down naturally, blade side away from you. A quick flick of the wrist backwards and the blade should snap open and lock. Quickly adjust your grip and away you go. Some knives are tight and won't flip open. This can be because they are new or because the screw is to tight. With my knife it took barely a 1/8 of an inch turn with an Allen key and it works like a charm now. If you can't adjust the tightness, then work it in or buy a knife you can. Don't carry a knife for self preservation that does not fit precisely with what you want to do with it.

So carry your tactical folder and in a time of need attack in true Celtic style, screaming your war cry while Bagpipes fill your ears.

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