Knife Drop

[Pack Rat]

Anyone ever heard of that??

I have this box of mostly junker small knives. Its been around here for years and years and it just hit me a while ago where they all came from.

My Dad worked in a refinery and once a month, they would drop knives, as he called it. Meant that they would have some knife in their hand and as they moved around the plant, it would be balled up in their fist.

One would hold up a fist and someone else might do the same and a swap would be made in passing. An unspoken rule was no discussions about what they get. Generally everyone was honest and no broken blades.

So apparently over the years, Dad collected a few little miscellaneous knives. Would love to ask him about them, but he has been gone a few years now.

The only ones I have seen that I recognize is a small Buck and a small Old Timer. Maybe some day I will study them more. Not but maybe 20 or so now, as I have given several away.

People were always giving him knives so he always had something to "drop".

But was just curious if any of you had ever heard of anything like that?

 

[jhyde7585]

Never head of it, but very very cool idea

 

[Pack Rat]

That was back in the late 50's early 60's. Probably couldn't get away with it now days.

 

[brets-ftw]

Closest thing ive heard to that is the old "silver coin" tradition in europe

 

[unit]

That sounds like a neat ritual. But I doubt it has survived the test of time (most plant workers I have seen these days carry disposable box cutters or less).