I woke up this morning nostalgic, remembering my first job at Kroger, 14 years old, part-time for $4 and something cents minimum wage. My old man was teaching me how to save money and was very supportive. He told me to always set a certain percentage that you save every paycheck "and from now on you'll be buying your own necessities. If you need shoes, you buy your own now." Not that my parents couldn't afford to buy my necessities, but the things I learned from my Dad who always carried a Victorinox or some form of small lockback. He also taught me that I should set a little aside for myself for the things that I want. So, things were great, money went into the bank and I was headed to Walmart for my first knife. At the time $15 dollars was a lot for a fourteen year old working part-time because I remember it taking me two weeks to save that $15. Needless to say I came out of Walmart with a Buck 442. I loved the hell out of that knife and carried it until I graduated high school at 19 (I didn't do so good in th 9th grade 
) and with practice could open it one handed. Five years. Then, gave it to a friend and it was replaced with another Walmart buy, the Gerber E-Z Out that I carried with equal love for two years and then the Buck Crosslock was released.
I haven't had a 442 since, but our local hardware still stocks them. I should pick one up for old times sake.
Feel free to share your story about your first EDC.
) and with practice could open it one handed. Five years. Then, gave it to a friend and it was replaced with another Walmart buy, the Gerber E-Z Out that I carried with equal love for two years and then the Buck Crosslock was released.I haven't had a 442 since, but our local hardware still stocks them. I should pick one up for old times sake.
Feel free to share your story about your first EDC.
