Philosophy, meditation, life in the present and traditional knives

powernoodle

powernoodle

Power Member
Joined
Jul 21, 2004
Messages
11,974
Here is some philosophy from Powernoodle. It may sound a little kooky, but I'm okay with that, because that's how I ride. I have been getting into meditation a little bit, primarily for stress reduction, and it requires you to focus on what is happening in the present. In fact, that's the whole point of meditation - to ignore the endless stream of pointless chatter in your head about the past and the future, and to focus instead on what is actually happening right now in the present.

There is a meditative element to carrying and using a traditional knife, because it requires you to focus on the present. The act of digging in your pocket, finding the knife, carefully opening it with two hands, using it slowly and safely so that it doesn't fold on your fingers, and then reversing the process. Contrast that with a modern locking, clipped folder, which allows you to cut something instantly and almost without thinking about it. So in that sense, carrying and using a traditional knife requires you to be a bit more contemplative and thoughtful about what you are doing right now in the present. And that's a good thing, because though our minds are often elsewhere - regretting the past or worrying about the future - our actual lives are spent entirely in the present. And if you don't pay attention to the present, you have literally missed the passage of your own life. So using a traditional knife literally helps you pay a little more attention to your life as it passes before your eyes.

Thanks for indulging me. I get a little kooky now and then.

 
Wow, zen and the art of the pocket knife.

I like it!!

I've long thought that the traditional pocketknife is a chance to slow down during the day, for just a moment of appreciation of things. The feel of the natural handle scales, the quiet snick of a nice blade action as it opens. The feel of the thin sharp blade going through whatever it is you're cutting. And then, there's the quiet mini moments of contemplation as you use the jigged bone or nice stag as a worry stone during the day, without anyone noticing.

Yeah, Zen and the pocket knife. :)
 
powernoodle said:
Here is some philosophy from Powernoodle. It may sound a little kooky, but I'm okay with that, because that's how I ride. I have been getting into meditation a little bit, primarily for stress reduction, and it requires you to focus on what is happening in the present. In fact, that's the whole point of meditation - to ignore the endless stream of pointless chatter in your head about the past and the future, and to focus instead on what is actually happening right now in the present.

There is a meditative element to carrying and using a traditional knife, because it requires you to focus on the present. The act of digging in your pocket, finding the knife, carefully opening it with two hands, using it slowly and safely so that it doesn't fold on your fingers, and then reversing the process. Contrast that with a modern locking, clipped folder, which allows you to cut something instantly and almost without thinking about it. So in that sense, carrying and using a traditional knife requires you to be a bit more contemplative and thoughtful about what you are doing right now in the present. And that's a good thing, because though our minds are often elsewhere - regretting the past or worrying about the future - our actual lives are spent entirely in the present. And if you don't pay attention to the present, you have literally missed the passage of your own life. So using a traditional knife literally helps you pay a little more attention to your life as it passes before your eyes.

Thanks for indulging me. I get a little kooky now and then.

Click to expand...

Nothing kooky at all about that, IMO. I'm sure most people would find some of the spiritual practices I follow to be far more 'kooky' than that. :) And it is true that, if you are always living in the past or the future, your entire life (which is a constant present) will pass you by before you know it if you never focus on it. Most people never really contemplate that fact.

Your analogy with using a traditional folder is actually pretty apt. Although I still carry one-handers, I also love traditionals and enjoy using them as well.

Jim
 
A post very much after my own mind! I teach philosophy, practice martial arts, and am very appreciative of traditional knives. The meditative and contemplative aspect of each are dear to me, and I think you've articulated some thoughts on traditionals that I have been rolling around in my head for some time.

Moderns have their place and function. Traditionals--in their conception and construction--are different. And clearly for us thoughtful fellows, they ask for our attention and careful consideration.

Well done, powernoodle!
 
Well, sure! It "only" takes a few seconds to locate a slipjoint down in the depths of my pocket, pull it out, decide which blade I want to use, make the cut, close the knife, and then put it back in my pocket. But if you multiply that by all the things that need cutting on a day-in, day-out basis, by the time I die, I will have wasted a good 19.274 minutes of my time on planet Earth using two hands to open a knife! :grumpy:

;) Seriously, though ....... great post, powernoodle. :thumbup:

-- Mark
 
so what you're saying is... I should buy another knife, good advice, thanks ;)

I've never been in the habit of carrying a modern folder, through the laws here, but it is a pleasure to put my traditional knives to use and to learn about all the intricacies of what is really just another everyday tool. Sometimes I think the opposite, that hunting down that next new knife is more of a distraction and a mild addiction rather than an exercise in mindfulness, but there is something special contemplating the beauty of a hand ground blade:
 
I have long considered knife sharpening & maintenance to be a stress reliever as it requires you to unclutter your mind and focus on the task at hand. The same can be said for whittling which happens to provide a constant supply of knives requiring sharpening & maintenance. Naturally carbon steel traditionals are ideal participants in both of these activities and when I engage in either I find it increases my awareness and provides a calming effect and inner peace which, by my understanding, are the basic goals of meditation. The deliberate nature of using a traditional, as you pointed out, has a similar effect.

So yes, powernoodle, I'm powerchugging your Kool-Aid and meditating daily with a traditional, stick & stone free from ridiculous poses and mantras. Nice post.
 
Excellent post and I agree. Life goes by in a flash and it's gone. Everyone is in a hurry - dashing thru life to the grave without stopping to enjoy the moments. The traditional pocket knife, a trusty old pipe, a good book, a cup of coffee on the front porch in the morning or eve... These are where life slows down and you take it in and enjoy it. I've focused on deliberately SLOWING WAY DOWN in things in life. Take it in and enjoy it for what it is, be it a little or a lot. Learn to be content, not endlessly chasing the wind.

Great post :thumbup:

58CB44BF-3549-475B-9C4B-0E79FE12C596_zpswfx83dna.jpg
 
Brisket said:
I have long considered knife sharpening & maintenance to be a stress reliever as it requires you to unclutter your mind and focus on the task at hand. The same can be said for whittling which happens to provide a constant supply of knives requiring sharpening & maintenance. Naturally carbon steel traditionals are ideal participants in both of these activities and when I engage in either I find it increases my awareness and provides a calming effect and inner peace which, by my understanding, are the basic goals of meditation. The deliberate nature of using a traditional, as you pointed out, has a similar effect.

So yes, powernoodle, I'm powerchugging your Kool-Aid and meditating daily with a traditional, stick & stone free from ridiculous poses and mantras. Nice post.
Click to expand...
I find when I am sharpening because I am so focused on getting a perfect edge that I actually gain stress in fear of not doing as such, but the end result makes me calm. :D That aside I really do enjoy carrying traditional knives and your post makes sense powernoodle. I try meditation every time before I go to sleep--sometimes it takes me 2-3+ hours to fall asleep, but with meditation I can sleep within an hour. Even if you're not doing it "right", the act of trying to calm your mind and believing that it might help is enough.
 
Great post.
I'm glad it works for you. I think people should spend more time in the now. I like walking my dogs. They keep me sane because they keep it simple. It goes like this...

Tennis ball please.
Tennis ball please.
Tennis ball please......



Paul
 
Paul,

LOL... cute dogs :)

Animals are funny indeed. They're ALWAYS in the NOW, never worrying about tomorrow til it arrives.
 
uuuuuummmmmm...

I mean

oooooooommmmmm

Seriously though, I used to make (poor) knives and someone asked my once why I enjoyed it. My answer was that when I was grinding or working on a sharp blade my mind was not on anything else.

I respect your discipline on the meditation. I tried it for a while and didn't keep it up more than a month or two.
 
I'm not able to speak for anyone but myself. To me, and I think a lot of others from rural Appalachia, these knives aren't even "Traditional". It's just my knife. I've carried one as long as I can remember. Don't go anywhere without one, don't go anywhere I'm not allowed to have one. I've never owned or carried a knife with a pocket clip. I don't think about it much, it's just my knife. A tool I use for everyday chores. If I have my clothes on, I have at least one with me, usually 2 or 3. Around these parts there are a lot of folks like me. Men and women. Grew up with knives, carried em to school, carried em to work. Carry them to jury duty, carry them to church. It ain't no big high ideal of my position in the universe, it's just my knife.
 
Very well said, sometimes you just need to slow down and enjoy the little moments that would normally just fly on by.
 
I personally prefer a modern spring assist, the feel of the clip leaving my pocket, the knife "falling" into my hand just the right way, the feel of the knife opening with a quiet "shink", the feel of the knife jumping in my hand and the pleasure of a well executed draw.
 
syco1138 said:
I personally prefer a modern spring assist, the feel of the clip leaving my pocket, the knife "falling" into my hand just the right way, the feel of the knife opening with a quiet "shink", the feel of the knife jumping in my hand and the pleasure of a well executed draw.
Click to expand...


That is good for you. Given your perspective, this probably is not the best place to hang for you. You're absolutely most welcome here....but I sense we're not your kind of crowd.

Maybe you'll come around....;)

Peter
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top