Knives, traditions and lore

[smflorkey]

Any weird thing on how u hand a blade to someone else? ...
Fausto

I have been told some native Americans will pass and return a folding knife in a particular way to communicate trust and friendship:

• Open the knife and hold the blade to pass the handle for the other person to inspect/admire the knife.
• Close the knife after inspection and hand it back "safe."

To me, just handing over the knife in any condition indicates trust.

Of course, there is also the Boy Scouts' safety "tradition" of not releasing the knife (or axe) until the receiver says "thank you." :thumbup:

 

[neeman]

A knife placed under the bed during childbirth will ease the pain of labor.

Here it must be a sharp knife
A blunt knife inceases the pain

 

[Securis]

I heard of one, in particular to Khukuris, that if the blade seems to be cutting you by accident fairly often, that you should give it some blood, by cutting your finger.

Friend of mine did this and the blade started behaving after.

Also, another one saying that if you put a knife under your pillow as you sleep, you will not have nightmares

 

[Will Power]

Also, another one saying that if you put a knife under your pillow as you sleep, you will not have nightmares

I don't know, I often put my latest knife under the pillow...from the complaints I get it seems other people get fed up with the manic talking and gibbering about the knife

 

[pertinux]

Also, another one saying that if you put a knife under your pillow as you sleep, you will not have nightmares

What if your nightmare involves finding knives under your pillow?



~ P.

 

[Jack Black]

I have been told some native Americans will pass and return a folding knife in a particular way to communicate trust and friendship:

• Open the knife and hold the blade to pass the handle for the other person to inspect/admire the knife.
• Close the knife after inspection and hand it back "safe."

Doesn't everyone do that?

What if your nightmare involves finding knives under your pillow?



~ P.

This too! I thought everyone kept knives under their pillows!

 

[quattromori]

Folks,
if I remember properly, this is the first thread I opened on this subforum. More than one and half year ago. You people want to make me emotional...

Fausto

 

[ptradeco]

A few years ago I posted a topic in "Carls Lounge" about a tradition where I come from. No one ever responded to it but this seems like a good place to bring it up again. Where I grew up it was customary when a deal was consummated, along with a handshake, that pocketknives would exchange hands between the the parties. This was to bind the deal if you will. The knives were to be given back when all conditions of the trade/agreement were met. My Grandfather and my Father would always carry two pocket knives, one that was their good knife and one for deal making. This tradition continues today back in the hills where I come from. Best not to be caught without a backup deal making knife or that beloved custom or Case Tested would have to be forked over to seal the deal and that was kind of the point. Losing your best knife was kind of like losing one of your best hounds and this would guarantee that you would hold up your end of the bargain. Probably seems a bit archaic today but it is one more reason why country folk do seem to get it right!

 

[DGladden]

Yep, I received many knives as gifts growing up. I always had a few coins in my pocket for the occasion. My Grandmother taught me that. Another one is that a folding knife must be closed by the one who opened it. It's bad luck if you close a knife someone else opened.

 

[Jack Black]

A few years ago I posted a topic in "Carls Lounge" about a tradition where I come from. No one ever responded to it but this seems like a good place to bring it up again. Where I grew up it was customary when a deal was consummated, along with a handshake, that pocketknives would exchange hands between the the parties. This was to bind the deal if you will. The knives were to be given back when all conditions of the trade/agreement were met. My Grandfather and my Father would always carry two pocket knives, one that was their good knife and one for deal making. This tradition continues today back in the hills where I come from. Best not to be caught without a backup deal making knife or that beloved custom or Case Tested would have to be forked over to seal the deal and that was kind of the point. Losing your best knife was kind of like losing one of your best hounds and this would guarantee that you would hold up your end of the bargain. Probably seems a bit archaic today but it is one more reason why country folk do seem to get it right!

Never heard that one before KInd of reminds me of an old feller my dad used to work with and I used to fish with. He'd always carry two tobacco pipes, his 'smoking pipe' and his 'cadging pipe', a larger model he got out when someone else was offering him 'baccy!

 

[Astrogator]

The tradition of giving a coin for a gift knife is also practiced in my part of the world, there are two possibilities.

The coin must be "silver", this is the tradition followed by my family.

or:-

It can be any coin regardless of what it is made of.

Both of the above are prevalent in South Africa.

In our family there is a tradition (from my mother's side of the family), this tradition seems to be quite old.
Every female head of the house has one special kitchen knife, it always seems to be called "The Sharp Knife", this knife can be of any pattern, but is reserved for the exclusive use of the female head of the house.
This knife can be changed at any time (females may always change their minds lol), from then on this new knife is referred to as "The Sharp Knife", the old one reverting back to general use by anyone.
Woe betide anyone else that is caught using the sharp knife. lol.

The tradition of placing a knife with the cutting edge always facing the edge of the plate, when setting the table is also followed here.

I hope that you all find this amusing.

lol.

 

[Securis]

What if your nightmare involves finding knives under your pillow?



~ P.

Hahaha, you'd be fresh outta luck then i think. But if i was in a nightmare, and i found my trusty knife under my pillow, i'd feel much more at ease thb.

Folks,
if I remember properly, this is the first thread I opened on this subforum. More than one and half year ago. You people want to make me emotional...

Fausto

Uh Oh, i didn't realise i was necro posting :foot:

 

[screened porch]

The fact that it's practiced in NZ as well as the US and Canada makes me wonder if it might have originated in the British isles.

As for myself, I first heard of this custom when watching The Edge starring Anthony Hopkins, Alec Baldwin, and a nice Brian Lyttle lockback.

That's where I first heard of it too. I'm only 2cd generation British, but I never saw my grandpa give anyone a knife.