That sounds like my first boss in the machinist trade. He was an old WW2 vet, and a master tool and die maker. Ira was his name. Everyday he arrived at work in a coat and tie. Since he had a glassed in office as befited a supervisor, he did a lot of his job on a desk. But when somebody called in sick, or a parts run on a contract was running a bit behind, he'd put a blue shop coat on and go run a lathe, or set up a mill, or something to help out. At the end of the day, he'd hang the shop coat up behind his door and put on his tweed suit coat and go home. He always carried this little two blade Imperial pen knife with jigged brown synthetic handles. On his desk was a small piece of stone that he'd hone it on to keep it razor sharp. Ira was from way down in Virginia, around Harrisonburg, and he told me once he'd grown up on a farm, there in the Shenendoah valley. But he had that same country genteel manor that Karen's family down in Waycross Georga had. Always well dressed, and that little Imperial was always razor sharp. He'd use it with the same thoughtful manor I'd seen many times before in his generation. No flash or florish, just use it to get the job done.
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That sounds like my first boss in the machinist trade. He was an old WW2 vet, and a master tool and die maker. Ira was his name. Everyday he arrived at work in a coat and tie. Since he had a glassed in office as befited a supervisor, he did a lot of his job on a desk. But when somebody called in sick, or a parts run on a contract was running a bit behind, he'd put a blue shop coat on and go run a lathe, or set up a mill, or something to help out. At the end of the day, he'd hang the shop coat up behind his door and put on his tweed suit coat and go home. He always carried this little two blade Imperial pen knife with jigged brown synthetic handles. On his desk was a small piece of stone that he'd hone it on to keep it razor sharp. Ira was from way down in Virginia, around Harrisonburg, and he told me once he'd grown up on a farm, there in the Shenendoah valley. But he had that same country genteel manor that Karen's family down in Waycross Georga had. Always well dressed, and that little Imperial was always razor sharp. He'd use it with the same thoughtful manor I'd seen many times before in his generation. No flash or florish, just use it to get the job done.
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I wonder if kids are not being taught respect or just don't give a rats butt about it. I would never say that to my elders I was taught to respect all people and elders especially!
Look at the old films of sporting events-- baseball, boxing, wrestling. All the men (and very few women were present) in suits, ties, shined shoes, and felt hats. And this was when the average family had less to spend on clothes than now, and no big box discount stores were around to save you money on clothes. The younger people are amazed when I tell them back in time no tee shirts, shorts or sneakers (except in gym class) were permitted in school. It was long pants, a shirt with sleeves and shined shoes. And for every trade there was, there was a uniform. And for church on Sunday? A suit, even if it was 95 degrees out. It was a more formal time and it seems the knives back then were more "formal", especially in handle material.
I grew up in England, and the dress code was much more formal.
In the 60s I was wearing a blazer and tie to school, of course shoes polished.
Your fountain pen and change purse was carried in the inside jacket pocket, nothing was allowed in the two outside patch pockets.
In the 70s I worked in an office in New York City.
The dress code was a three piece suit.
We were allowed to take of off our jacket once in work, but had to wear the vest.
In my two vest pockets was my pocket watch and in the other a small penknife
In the 60s I was wearing a blazer and tie to school, of course shoes polished.
Your fountain pen and change purse was carried in the inside jacket pocket, nothing was allowed in the two outside patch pockets.
In the 70s I worked in an office in New York City.
The dress code was a three piece suit.
We were allowed to take of off our jacket once in work, but had to wear the vest.
In my two vest pockets was my pocket watch and in the other a small penknife
pvicenzi
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I have a split personnality. I have both traditional and modern knives, and I have both wool and thinsulate-goretex coats. In our long winters, I tend match my knife to the the coat. It just doesn't seem right to carry a G10 whatever when I'm wearing that old wool coat.
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My father was badly injured in WWII, and they paid for him to go to a trade school.
He took mechanics, and took a job with the county. Worked there his whole life and I only seen him out of his green pants, green shirt and boots one time. He never owned a pair of jeans.
We had a local market near the house that had dirt floors(and a talking minor bird I liked as a kid), and thats the only bulding he would go in out in public.
My mother told me not to be hurt since she didn't think he would be able to come in a building and to my wedding.
He did come, and thats the only time I seen him out of his green work cloths.
I really never new why he wouldn't go in anywhere. I went to my uncles(his brother) funeral Tuesday, he was 93, and he always went in places and wore jeans often. He had many brother(one still alive), but he was the only one that was like that. One dressed up every day of his life like he was in his best church clothes, and always had a nice hat on.
They were a great bunch of men, and all fought in WWII. My dad was the only one injured badly, and I've often wondered if that may have affected his behavior. I feel it did, but will never know. I loved how simple he was, and wish on many days I could be more like him. What a great generation of people they were.
He took mechanics, and took a job with the county. Worked there his whole life and I only seen him out of his green pants, green shirt and boots one time. He never owned a pair of jeans.
We had a local market near the house that had dirt floors(and a talking minor bird I liked as a kid), and thats the only bulding he would go in out in public.
My mother told me not to be hurt since she didn't think he would be able to come in a building and to my wedding.
He did come, and thats the only time I seen him out of his green work cloths.
I really never new why he wouldn't go in anywhere. I went to my uncles(his brother) funeral Tuesday, he was 93, and he always went in places and wore jeans often. He had many brother(one still alive), but he was the only one that was like that. One dressed up every day of his life like he was in his best church clothes, and always had a nice hat on.
They were a great bunch of men, and all fought in WWII. My dad was the only one injured badly, and I've often wondered if that may have affected his behavior. I feel it did, but will never know. I loved how simple he was, and wish on many days I could be more like him. What a great generation of people they were.
I like history and recently I was thumbing through a book that was a photo history of Palm Beach county Florida covering the 1920's to the 60's. What really struck home the point of how much we have changed was one photograph in particular: it showed a chartered fishing boat returning from a successful day on the water. The deck was completely covered with huge fish and standing grimly behind the fish along the rail was a quartet of men who I assume were the fishermen. The surprising detail is that these men were all wearing suits! Not tuxedos or anything that formal but blazers and matching pants. I don't know if that fashion choice was the norm for fishing in Palm Beach then, maybe they were just stuffy rich guys. I do know I'm glad I didn't live in that era because of the "dress code". I sweat enough wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I couldn't imagine wearing a double breasted wool jacket and itchy wool pants to church, let alone on a fishing excursion. I do think civility and basic manners have eroded but I do not lament the mandatory formal dress that went along with it.
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I almost never carry cash let alone coins so I wonder if one day, some of the jean companies will finally do away with sewing in the little coin/watch pocket to cut down costs. I hope not. That is one main reason I wear jeans most of the time instead of dockers (which I like) because it makes a great place to put my pocket knife away from my keys.
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I like the thread jackkinife!
My grandfather Carl on my mom's side(really step grandpa) used to do all his chores with a short sleeved shirt and a tie and a fedora. The hat was wool or straw depending on the Montana season, and his pants would be a dark brown slack of sort. He was born in 1900 and was a personal friend of Charlie Russell's in Great Falls, stayed at his cabin as a guest and eventually attended his funeral. Carl knew I liked knives, and one time he showed me his- a 1920 Remington bone scaled 2 blade serpentine jack. He said, "I like to keep this one around and have had it many years". I was mesmorized by the brownish-cream bone scales and didn't see it for about 10 years. Carl passed away in about 1985 and I inherited the knife. A few years before he passed, my grandmother gave me an old knife she found in their basement. I showed it to Carl and he asked where I got it, I told him and he held his breath, but it seemed like he was disappointed-probably that my gram hadn't mentioned it to him before hand. Anyway that knife was probably even older than the Remington as it had signs of much use. It has peach seed jigged and colored scales, the pattern is split back whittler -3-5/8" and the make is Shapleigh Hardware/ DE (Diamond Edge). The pen blade is broken, and the small clip has a tip chip, but the extra thick clip main blade is in great shape with about 2/3 steel left. It has strong snap still, and looks like it was always sharpened by someone who took care of it as it looks perfect except for two places where the handle has small chunks broken out of it- not uncommon for a knife so old with honest use. Something that fascinates me is some photos I saw of Carl from the late 1920's, his dress and personal looks were just like the brothers characterized on the movie "A River Runs Through It". There is a photo of him sitting on the road ledge wall atop the Going to The Sun Road in Glacier which my grandfather on dad's side also named "Carl" coincidently helped to build as a young man... and all the pictures I have seen of him show the same attire.
I love the nostalgia related to that era.
My grandfather Carl on my mom's side(really step grandpa) used to do all his chores with a short sleeved shirt and a tie and a fedora. The hat was wool or straw depending on the Montana season, and his pants would be a dark brown slack of sort. He was born in 1900 and was a personal friend of Charlie Russell's in Great Falls, stayed at his cabin as a guest and eventually attended his funeral. Carl knew I liked knives, and one time he showed me his- a 1920 Remington bone scaled 2 blade serpentine jack. He said, "I like to keep this one around and have had it many years". I was mesmorized by the brownish-cream bone scales and didn't see it for about 10 years. Carl passed away in about 1985 and I inherited the knife. A few years before he passed, my grandmother gave me an old knife she found in their basement. I showed it to Carl and he asked where I got it, I told him and he held his breath, but it seemed like he was disappointed-probably that my gram hadn't mentioned it to him before hand. Anyway that knife was probably even older than the Remington as it had signs of much use. It has peach seed jigged and colored scales, the pattern is split back whittler -3-5/8" and the make is Shapleigh Hardware/ DE (Diamond Edge). The pen blade is broken, and the small clip has a tip chip, but the extra thick clip main blade is in great shape with about 2/3 steel left. It has strong snap still, and looks like it was always sharpened by someone who took care of it as it looks perfect except for two places where the handle has small chunks broken out of it- not uncommon for a knife so old with honest use. Something that fascinates me is some photos I saw of Carl from the late 1920's, his dress and personal looks were just like the brothers characterized on the movie "A River Runs Through It". There is a photo of him sitting on the road ledge wall atop the Going to The Sun Road in Glacier which my grandfather on dad's side also named "Carl" coincidently helped to build as a young man... and all the pictures I have seen of him show the same attire.
I love the nostalgia related to that era.
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True men use knife with nail nicks 
Anyway my mother grew up in Rural area's middle of WWII raging on. My grand father did survived from the WWII but it would have been better if not. While he physically came back, his soul and mind were dead.
Less than 2 years since war ended, he went in barn, took his service rifle and shot himself in the head to end the nightmares. Some people who come back from war without scratch are more badly wounded than those who come with missing limb.
My only foto of him is him wearing uniform and rifle on his back right before transferring into front lines. No other photo's of my grand parents are availeble due photography was extremely expensive in rural Finland at the times.
All photo's of my father side family prior WWII were destroyed in the flames of war. Those of my father's family who survived the nazi's did not survived the soviets. Only ones who survived were those who moved in Finland prior WWII.
Anyway my mother grew up in Rural area's middle of WWII raging on. My grand father did survived from the WWII but it would have been better if not. While he physically came back, his soul and mind were dead.
Less than 2 years since war ended, he went in barn, took his service rifle and shot himself in the head to end the nightmares. Some people who come back from war without scratch are more badly wounded than those who come with missing limb.
My only foto of him is him wearing uniform and rifle on his back right before transferring into front lines. No other photo's of my grand parents are availeble due photography was extremely expensive in rural Finland at the times.
All photo's of my father side family prior WWII were destroyed in the flames of war. Those of my father's family who survived the nazi's did not survived the soviets. Only ones who survived were those who moved in Finland prior WWII.
I'll let you in on a little secret, Stelth. I used to feel that way untill 2 years ago, when I got a heck of a scare from the dermatology department at the VA hospital.
I used to be a wrangler shorts and Teva sandal person, and by June always had that George Hamilton tan. Out on the water in the canoe or kayak, no shirt, cutoffs, and some Coppertone. Then one day I'm getting out of the shower, and Karen starts bugging me about this spot on the back of my shoulder. Then I notice a weird spot on my thigh about 3 inches above my knee. The Doc at the V.A. doesn't like the look of it, and fast tracks me to outpatient surgery. Turns out it's skin cancer. Karen freaks out, as her mother died of it. They take it off, sew me up and I have a few hole type scars now.
I changed my dress code for the sun. Went to Salvation army store and bought nice soft well washed cotton long sleeve shirts two sizes too big for me, found some very light cotton and linen pants, and now I don't let the sun in. My friend Jimmy almost died of skin cancer 20 years ago, and I forgot the damage the sun does. The same summer I had my scare, Karen's cousin Glenn, a fishing guide in St. Simmons Island Georga came down with skin cancer. Like me, he had some tissue taken out, and a course of chemotherapy. Now he wears some long sleeve guide shirts and pants from Cabelas that are made to keep the sun off but let air through easiely. Vented shirts.
The point? The upshot of this is, I actually feel more comfortable now, keeping the sun off with long sleeve shirts and pants, and a light colored boonie hat or khaky bucket hat. It's funny, but only after the doc looks at me and tells me point blank "Drop the tan thing or you're going to be in serious trouble!" that I thought back to the people in very hot tropical places I've been, and how they dressed to hide from the sun. Vietnam was long loose cotton PJ's, Wheelus AFB in Libia the locals all had traditional Arab clothing that hid most of them.
Right after my little bout with skin cancer, I investigated and bought some linen clothing. I have a very light sport coat that if theres a faint breeze, it blows through. Not at all a chore to wear in the summer. I strongly suspect that in those old photos, the clothing worn by the people was either very lightweight loose weave linen or cotton. They may have been more comfortable than we think.
When it's hot, like now with temps near 100, I'll still wear my shorts and Teva's for just running around suburbia. But it I know I'm going to be out in the sun, like on the water boating and fishing, or watching the motorcycle races at Summit point, I dress 'up' and cover up. And I actually feel better, like I don't feel as wiped out at the end of the day.
I think those old timers knew something we've forgotten in our casualness.
It seems counter intuitive but you're right. I live in South Florida and most of the lawn guys(who are in the sun all day) seem to wear long sleeves despite 90+ degree temps. They also wear wide brimmed hats. I can't join their ranks though...there's no way I'm putting on a long sleeved shirt when it's that hot.
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In my younger years, I used to think it was cool when we went fishing and came back burned with the tell tale inverse "coon mask" from our dark glasses to announce we fished hard. Nowadays, my cousin and I don long fishing pants and shirts along with wide brim hats and a bandanna around the neck, even in the hottest weather while on the water. I've switched to using a high UV protection Buff that will cover not only my neck but the lower part of the face which is great since the sun will often times reflect off the water.
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Hi Stealth---I too have had a mild deal with skin cancer, and if you are going to be out on the sun for extended periods a loose cotton long shirt shirt is not that bad. I used to think the way was to go without shirt, but now it is as cook with loose long sleeve shirt. I have a piece of my shoulder on my nose noy, about the size of a dime. I just wanr to pass this along to help. at least wear a lot of high sun tan lotion, all over exposed.
Harold
I appreciate the concern. I stay as covered as I can and if I'm in direct sun I'll wear lotion. I know skin cancer is a cumulative thing so I do avoid exposure when I can. I've never been they type who likes to lay in the sun...it's too hot. I seek shade whenever I can but living in Florida sometimes it's hard to find.
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Seersucker, linen, canapa, and tropical weight wool can all work wonders when it comes to high heat and humidity. Done properly, they will feel lighter, "airier", and more comfortable than even a cotton T-shirt. Of course one needs a lighter weight knife to tote in such clothing - A Vic. Alox Secretary can usually be found in the pocket of my lightweight wool and linen trousers.
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jackknife-I too have found that keeping the sun off keeps me cool. However with the humidity around here you don't even need sun. I can't imagine wearing a jacket and tie in the summer. As to knives- I seriously believe if Sal Glesser had not invented the pocket clip I would still just be carrying a stockman or swiss army. I hate the weight in the bottom of my pocket, but with the spyderco there is no weight. So the size of the pocket really doesn't matter to me.
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I think it is more just that knife fashion itself has changed and moved toward the tactical type knives. I think that young folks are "trained" that way today by the environment that they grow up in. I like modern knives and traditional knives and carry both at times, but I find myself, after straying off into some of the Kershaws and such wondering why a pocketknife has to be so large and heavy. I've come back to my "roots" so to speak and to traditional knives as they are just more comfortable to carry and have more personality.
One thing about modern knives with a belt clip - it does keep the knife handy.
I generally wear cotton, cotton blend work slacks for everyday and only dig out the jeans for really nasty work. I will also use whatever knife I have, but try to select it based on what I expect to do during the day. So some days I take a big knife and other days I will carry a smaller one. I do not feel dressed if I don't have a knife and feel just as odd as if I don't have on any socks.
But, I think knife fashion has been shaped by factors other than clothing. I'm just really glad that we still have manufacturers that offer the classic slippies and lockbacks; I hope they can stay in business.
Ed
One thing about modern knives with a belt clip - it does keep the knife handy.
I generally wear cotton, cotton blend work slacks for everyday and only dig out the jeans for really nasty work. I will also use whatever knife I have, but try to select it based on what I expect to do during the day. So some days I take a big knife and other days I will carry a smaller one. I do not feel dressed if I don't have a knife and feel just as odd as if I don't have on any socks.
But, I think knife fashion has been shaped by factors other than clothing. I'm just really glad that we still have manufacturers that offer the classic slippies and lockbacks; I hope they can stay in business.
Ed
I'm a logger, but don't wear jeans.
I wear black dickies, but the quality is dropping, so might switch to bendavis if anyone knows how long they last.
I also don't wear a ballcap, if not my hardhat, then a flat cap.
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