The Importance of a Knife

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NJWHN95

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Jun 25, 2011
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We all know a knife is a very vital tool. So why is a knife so important? Is it because our ancestors long ago used their stone knives to survive? Is it because we use it on a daily basis to help us in the world today? What makes a knife so important to you?
 
I would say that, for me, it is a symbol (and tool) of survival and independence. It is a tool that has been around for who knows how long, and it has always been vital to survival. Also, knowing all the thing you can and do with your knife gives you a since of self-reliance. For me, a knife is a little bit like fire. It has separated man from beast for ages and no matter how advanced our culture gets it remains a key to our lives just like it was for the first humans to roam the earth.
 
It's important when you need to cut stuff.
The rest of the time, not so much.
 
stabman said:
It's important when you need to cut stuff.
The rest of the time, not so much.
Click to expand...

What he said.

Also it's an important reminder of why Homo Sapiens Sapiens is such a badass species. Nobody else on earth makes their own tools.
 
Once upon a time, long ago when I grew up in this country, if a man had pants on, he had a pocket knife in one of the pockets. Not that it was a dire need, but it does make life easier if you have to open a package, or have something to cut.

Then once or twice in your life, a life may depend on a sharp edge. Not often, but it does happen. Twice in my life, I need a knife to free someone from a bit of trouble. The first was a child who got a loose shoelace stuck in the treads of an elevator. It got to the top and was pulling the child's foot in at the top. The sheepsfoot blade of my Buck stockman cut the laces, and the kid got off with some bruises on her foot. The second time, the driver of a car passed me on a winter morning going like a bat out of hell, hit an icy patch and spun the car, then rolled it coming to rest against the guard rail upside down. I had to crawl in and cut the belts holding the infant init's car seat, then cut the over weight mother loose. With all her weight on the seat belt, I didn't have a bionic thumb to press hard enough to get the buckle to release. I used the Buck stockman to cut the seat belt so she could flop free.

I'm 70 years old, and in my time on this rock, I needed a knife right then because nothing else would do. It was there in my pocket. I don't think I ever will be needing a knife again that badly, at least I hope not, but life is like a card game. You never know what hand you're going to be delt when you walk out your front door in the morning. Better have a sharp cutting tool and not really need it much, than not have it at all. A small pocket knife does not weight much, but sometimes nothing else will do.

Carl.
 
There's good evidence to suggest that Homo Sapiens would not even exist without the edged tool. The edged tool was critical in the evolution of the human species. One of the members here wrote a great essay on this subject. Sorry but I no longer have the link.
 
it's better to have a knife and not need it, than to need a knife and not have it. can you get through life without a knife in your pocket? sure, but those are the people you see using their keys, a pen or their teeth to try and open something, sometimes unsuccessfully. having a sharp knife makes my life more convenient (which is the purpose of any tool) and i use my knives on a regular basis.

p.s. i also always carry a good flashlight.
 
jackknife said:
Once upon a time, long ago when I grew up in this country, if a man had pants on, he had a pocket knife in one of the pockets. Not that it was a dire need, but it does make life easier if you have to open a package, or have something to cut (...)

Carl.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the imput, Carl! You've said it far better than I could have, and I appreciated reading your post.

Cheers!

Brett
 
My knife makes me a better person, it makes my steak bite size, it makes boxes easier to get into, it makes women smile and it makes bad guys worry about something slipping inside of them when they believe they have the upper hand.
 
Any tool that you have when you need it is important. However, knives (for some of us) have an added benefit of being something we enjoy having. Like any other adornment beyond the bare necessity, it offers a feeling of joy even when not in use to the wearer.
 
You never know what hand you're going to be delt when you walk out your front door in the morning. Better have a sharp cutting tool and not really need it much, than not have it at all. A small pocket knife does not weight much, but sometimes nothing else will do.

Carl.[/QUOTE]

I want to second the thanks to Carl. Well said, sir.
 
A knife is a useful tool to carry. Since I carry a couple of multitools that cover at least a dozen functions, it doesn't make sense to leave the knife out.
 
(( Not funny, not necessary. ))

The importance of a knife? To cut things with.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
NJWHN95 said:
We all know a knife is a very vital tool. So why is a knife so important? Is it because our ancestors long ago used their stone knives to survive? Is it because we use it on a daily basis to help us in the world today? What makes a knife so important to you?
Click to expand...

When and where I grew up, men carried pocket knives. They were useful tools for everyday use. For me they still are.
 
To be prepared, its something I learned while working towards getting my Eagle. You may not need a knife every day of your life (excluding work with food) or even on most days, but it sure makes life easier when you have a package to open or anything to cut. Also you could use it to save a life as jackknife illustrated in his stories.
 
Not only is a knife a tool that I use everyday, but it's akin to a seatbelt. Better to have it on you when you need it.
Sure other animals make simple tools and use them, but none make cutting tools. Sticks and a stone for bashing are far different than a cutting edge, especially steel.
 
I was told once that a real man carries a comb, handkerchief, and a pocket knife.

I'm only a third of a man apparently, I don't carry a comb or a handkerchief, but ALWAYS carry a pocket knife :D
 
Knives are essential tools. When I have a knife in my pocket I feel ready and prepared. If the SHTF, a knife would be the one I wouldn't want to be without.

I remember Schwarzenegger in Predator, using his knife to make more weapons and traps. I like using a knife to make stuff.
 
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