Knife philosophy

B

BladesmanUSA

Joined
Sep 18, 2021
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Is there such a thing as knife philosophy?
I have always carried a knife since I was 10 Years old and got my first Swiss Army knife. I suppose I have been a fan of knives since then and have always carried a knife in one form or another for the past 40 years.
So why do people carry knives? Is it for practicality? Or just to look cool? Does anyone have any, what they will call philosophy, on why they carry a knife? And is it actually a philosophy as such, or just us men being practical.
 
Of course there is!

There are philosophies about many things, including knives. There are more than 50 millions pocket knife users in the U.S. alone. So there are probably somewhere between 100 and a few thousand "knife philosophies". If you are only coming up with general, and not specific, "knife philosophies", then I'm guessing dozens at least.

Maybe you should re-think or rephrase the question? Or be more specific.
 
Personally I have the need to use one multiple times a day, so it's primarily utility.

But also, a bit of vanity, as I likely have more than one on me, and they are typically nicer than the average persons.

And lastly, a dollop of collective hoarding, as I am always accumulating new ones to satiate my disorder....er.....I mean hobby.
 
Knives are mankind's oldest tools. They are useful to have on hand. Most of the time my Victorinox Classic does the trick. You can go through life with just an SAK and have all your apples sliced, peanut butter spread, and packages opened. My knives indulge two fantasies: outdoor adventure and combat, so I tend to get blades that can do some of both.
 
dogstar said:
Knives are mankind's oldest tools. They are useful to have on hand. Most of the time my Victorinox Classic does the trick. You can go through life with just an SAK and have all your apples sliced, peanut butter spread, and packages opened. My knives indulge two fantasies: outdoor adventure and combat, so I tend to get blades that can do some of both.
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I remember when Swiss Army knives got big in grade school. Kids would have fist fights over them.
As far as the oldest tool. I think a big stick or club may or may not predate a knife.
 
Here's my "knife philosophy"-

"I carry knives for the things I expect to need them for, as well as the unexpected things I might need them for.

Life has a way of confronting us with problems and placing obstacles in our path, and I have often found a knife to be the ideal tool to solve those problems and clear those obstacles."


Although I consider knives to be "cool", I have never carried a knife just to look or feel "cool".
 
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I recall one of the first youtubers I watched when I got deeper into knives had a segment called philosophy of use. I'm having a hard time remembering his name..but he was early in the game of knife "influencers"
 
When I was a kid, my grandpa told me that all men should be able to cut things, tell the time, and make fire. That meant every man should have a knife, a watch, and a lighter on his person. Coincidentally, he gave me my first pocket knife.

This was before cell phones were a thing. Cell phones and beepers started bumping watches back in the 90s. I had stopped wearing one but eventually went back. Now smart phones do all sorts of things. That doesn't stop me from carrying a standalone flashlight. My grandfather never lived to see LED flashlights but I think he would have carried one. ;)

Really, the issue here is "EDC" or every day carry. It's a matter of being prepared for your day. Even if only for opening packages, a knife is a handy thing to have! Lighters might be less important now that so few people smoke but you never know. Of course, choosing the right EDC gear and getting things that reflect your personal style can be fun.
 
Depends what I need a knife for. Strong Lock Backs for an EDC carry are a must for me now a days. To many almost loose finger events from lock failures. I use my pocket knife to cut things I need cutting, I do like a good looking knife that is functional. Guess that's why I like my Code 4 and recon 1s for pocket use.
 
We convince ourselves that our hobby is cooler, more useful, and edgier (literally) than watch guys and footwear guys. Kidding.

If by philosophy, you mean a way of life, I think a knife is one of the simplest implements that can teach tool responsibility and finesse. It’s a tool that demands respect and awareness from the user. Play around carelessly with it, and you might hurt yourself. Use it well, and you can finish tasks a lot faster than with bare hands.

Also, children introduced to knives at an early age should be taught not to be macho or have an inflated sense of ego from merely carrying a knife. The manly aspect is in the responsible usage of the tool.
 
Search up some of Ed Fowler's writing. He does knife philosophy pretty well.
 
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