- Joined
- Mar 20, 2024
- Messages
- 12
So, it took me about 40 years to finally accept that fact about myself. Growing up in the urban areas of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, during the 80’s we kids got the message that knives were dangerous and something that mostly criminals were interested in. (Granted, there were more than a few knife fights in the city back then which resulted in strict knife laws).
I didn’t want to be a bad kid so I stayed away from knives. But in hindsight, I was incredibly drawn to blades. Ever since I was 6 and found my fathers old survival knife from his days in the military (a knife he kept for 40 years), I just loved the feeling of holding a knife in my hand. I was curious about weight, design, different types of blade shapes etc but it also made me feel stuff. I felt safe, I felt capable. I felt less “naked”. I just never accepted that’s how I actually felt. Sounds weird and even a bit dramatic, I know. But there was a huge amount of subconscious shame and guilt associated with this. Like by being this drawn to blades I was somehow a “bad man”.
This resulted in me pushing down my curiosity but still ending up buying a dozen or so different knives. Nothing special, mostly Mora, opinel, some basic gerbers. The weird thing is, i did those purchases kinda “on autopilot”.
But a couple of weeks ago when my wife asked me I wanted for my birthday, I spontaneously answered: “The knife”. Not “a” knife, but “the” knife. My wife looked at me with that look that every married man knows. (Wtf are you talking about?).
I guess what I really wanted was to reclaim a part of me that’s wasn’t really socially accepted. Allowing myself to invest in a good knife thus becomes a symbolic act of self acceptance.
But also, I want the knife that my kids might find one day snooping around my “off limits stuff”.
All part of a normal midlife identity crisis.
After doing a ton of research online I ordered a White River Ursus 45, which I’m still waiting for but looks amazing. (Let me tell you, It is NOT readily available in Sweden or even Europe.) Even though I spend my weekdays in a suit at the office or picking up kids, I find myself spending more and more free time in the woods and also just booked my first deer hunt in seven years. Seems your true nature always catches up with you in the end, and this might be the perfect companion.
Also, in opposition to most parents around my neighborhood who tell their kids to “STAY AWAY FROM KNIVES”, I decided to go the other way and teach my daughters, 3 and 6, how to safely hold and use a knife. They may or they may not inherit my love for it, but at least they have the option.
Naturally, I started having thoughts and questions. “Are there others like me? Who inexplicably just loves holding a knife? Cuz, like who the hell else would do that?”
Well, turns or there’s a really great forum for people like me here
.
Not sure if this at all resonates with anyone else here. It just felt good to write it out.
While I’m at it though, I would like to ask for some recommendations. I’m having the privilege to do some traveling this year. I’ll be going to
Rome, Italy (by myself)
Malaga, Spain (with family)
Cape Town, South Africa (business)
This time, I thought I’d have a look at picking some knives related to those areas! Since imported knives are really expensive in Sweden it might give me the opportunity to get a better knife than but here. In addition to the experience of getting a local item! I’m really interested in advice for those of you who are initiated. I did some research online but it’s hard to get to the good info. For example on Italian hunting knives.
What I would like is
1. A hunting knife for deer, preferably with a more classic feel rather than “tactical” (Already own a Fällkniven F1). Maybe a wood handle?
2. A gentleman’s pocket knife. Not too big. Maybe with some beautiful detail like a handle in horn or bone or fine wood
3. Any traditional, country/area specific knife
Total budget: around 300-400€ (absolute max 500€)
I know it’s a broad question and I don’t want to demand too much of your time. But if you do have some tips or input, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks
JG
PS. God it felt good to get that out…
I didn’t want to be a bad kid so I stayed away from knives. But in hindsight, I was incredibly drawn to blades. Ever since I was 6 and found my fathers old survival knife from his days in the military (a knife he kept for 40 years), I just loved the feeling of holding a knife in my hand. I was curious about weight, design, different types of blade shapes etc but it also made me feel stuff. I felt safe, I felt capable. I felt less “naked”. I just never accepted that’s how I actually felt. Sounds weird and even a bit dramatic, I know. But there was a huge amount of subconscious shame and guilt associated with this. Like by being this drawn to blades I was somehow a “bad man”.
This resulted in me pushing down my curiosity but still ending up buying a dozen or so different knives. Nothing special, mostly Mora, opinel, some basic gerbers. The weird thing is, i did those purchases kinda “on autopilot”.
But a couple of weeks ago when my wife asked me I wanted for my birthday, I spontaneously answered: “The knife”. Not “a” knife, but “the” knife. My wife looked at me with that look that every married man knows. (Wtf are you talking about?).
I guess what I really wanted was to reclaim a part of me that’s wasn’t really socially accepted. Allowing myself to invest in a good knife thus becomes a symbolic act of self acceptance.
But also, I want the knife that my kids might find one day snooping around my “off limits stuff”.
All part of a normal midlife identity crisis.
After doing a ton of research online I ordered a White River Ursus 45, which I’m still waiting for but looks amazing. (Let me tell you, It is NOT readily available in Sweden or even Europe.) Even though I spend my weekdays in a suit at the office or picking up kids, I find myself spending more and more free time in the woods and also just booked my first deer hunt in seven years. Seems your true nature always catches up with you in the end, and this might be the perfect companion.
Also, in opposition to most parents around my neighborhood who tell their kids to “STAY AWAY FROM KNIVES”, I decided to go the other way and teach my daughters, 3 and 6, how to safely hold and use a knife. They may or they may not inherit my love for it, but at least they have the option.
Naturally, I started having thoughts and questions. “Are there others like me? Who inexplicably just loves holding a knife? Cuz, like who the hell else would do that?”
Well, turns or there’s a really great forum for people like me here
.Not sure if this at all resonates with anyone else here. It just felt good to write it out.
While I’m at it though, I would like to ask for some recommendations. I’m having the privilege to do some traveling this year. I’ll be going to
Rome, Italy (by myself)
Malaga, Spain (with family)
Cape Town, South Africa (business)
This time, I thought I’d have a look at picking some knives related to those areas! Since imported knives are really expensive in Sweden it might give me the opportunity to get a better knife than but here. In addition to the experience of getting a local item! I’m really interested in advice for those of you who are initiated. I did some research online but it’s hard to get to the good info. For example on Italian hunting knives.
What I would like is
1. A hunting knife for deer, preferably with a more classic feel rather than “tactical” (Already own a Fällkniven F1). Maybe a wood handle?
2. A gentleman’s pocket knife. Not too big. Maybe with some beautiful detail like a handle in horn or bone or fine wood
3. Any traditional, country/area specific knife
Total budget: around 300-400€ (absolute max 500€)
I know it’s a broad question and I don’t want to demand too much of your time. But if you do have some tips or input, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks
JG
PS. God it felt good to get that out…
Last edited:
thanks