Giving/selling a knife to a friend

dryfly

dryfly

Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
45
Many years ago I was made aware of an old custom: one does not give a knife to a friend, but sells it to him or her for a minimal monetary amount to prevent the blade from severing your friendship. I'm not a superstitious person, but for some reason this sentiment has always appealed to me. When wrapping a blade or blades for presentation, I generally include a coin or dollar bill, so that the money can be returned to me in "payment". Being of Chinese descent, I've always assumed that his was a Chinese custom, but people of other backgrounds or upbringing are sometimes also aware of this custom. Does anyone know it's origin? Also, was it meant to apply to family members, or just to those not related by blood?
 
I don't know the origins of the custom but one of my uncles many years ago gave me a scout knife and I had to pay him a penny for it (the receiver of the knife has to pay) he said it was an old gypsey custom.
 
heheheeheh I learned it from my grand Dad in france too! Never give a knife it would cut the frienship!
 
I first heard of it a few years ago in the Movie 'The Edge' with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. Good Movie. Good Custom.

-John
 
This custom (superstition) is present here in Norway too:). I think it`s a good custom.
 
I designed a knife and had my old friend Jack Crain make it for me and when I received it, I sent him a coin. The coin I sent to him was an ancient Roman silver Denarius from 180AD depicting emperor Marcus Aurelius with Felicitas on the reverse. He enjoyed the gift, I enjoyed the knife and the friendship is intact.

-Jared
J.M. Place Handmade Knives...
 
My boss is Japanese. He's given the men in the office lil knifes for xmas a couple times. Every time he does there's always a dime taped to the knife. I thought it was so the reciever wouldn't cut themselves. Could be the friendship thing though.
 
I sure had that superstition bit back at me, at least temporarily... I demand a penny if I give a knife now.
 
I don't "do" superstitions. I've given many knives with no "payment", with no ill effect yet.
 
There seems to be 2 at work here. As I stated before the receiver of the knife has to pay for it with a coin. The idea of giving a knife with a coin is new to me. It would be interesting to know which is correct or are they both correct but from different cultures. The idea of giving a coin with a gift is often used here relating to wallets and purses - it is considered bad luck to receive a wallet or purse without a coin in it.

Those who do not believe in superstitions should be careful as the Goddess is watching.
 
Giving a knife to immediate family, such as your brother, is OK.

Anyone else and the knife must be traded or it will cut the friendship.

This is a bunch of bull but I follow it just for fun.

I recenlty offered a knife to a close friend for a birthday gift and we traded $1.00 for it. He grew up in Japan and believes in this superstiton.

The friendship is still good.

Collecter
 
It's a very civilized custom. I will request a coin for every knife I give away from this point on. Thanks!
 
I have a custom to ask full MRSP for every knife I "give" away and it has worked fine for me so far :D :D

David
 
yes, we have the same custom here in Singapore-Malaysia. And a french guy I know mentioned that he practiced the same custom too.

I suppose I wouldn't be breaking tradition if the coin was substituted with a drink or a $100 bill :D
 
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