What does your knife say about you?

coffeecup said:
A while back, I had an older lady approach me while I was gassing up my truck.

"Young man! Young man! I wonder if you could help me. I think there is something stuck under my car, it is steering funny." ("Young man" made me laugh, I was in my mid-40s at the time. I found out later she was about 93, so I suppose from her perspective I was young.)

I crawled under her car--a nice 2-dr Ford Falcon--yep, something wrapped around the steering. I slid my right hand out to get the barlow from my pocket, and as I opened it I heard her say, "Oh good. In my day every proper young gentleman carried a pocket knife!"

I started cutting and realized two things. First, the "something" was the dried remains of a skunk that she'd probably hit a few months before; and second, the barlow just wasn't enough to lever through the skunk jerky. I set the barlow down, reached out with my right hand and twisted my hips enough I could hook the lanyard of the Boker "rangebuster" in my left front pocket.

As I one-handed it open and brought my arm back under the Falcon, I heard her mutter something about how ". . . THAT is not a gentleman's knife!" After I got the skunk cleared away, the steering was fine and she was back on the road shortly.

I guess that's what my pocket knives say about me--I'm not a "proper young gentleman." I'm OK with that. But it is probably a good thing she didn't see the old Russell Sting 1A I was carrying in an IWB sheath just over my wallet, she might have thought I was a serial killer or something!
Click to expand...

Great story of your pocket knife stepping up to the task (and your selection of EDC tools). I had to Google what a Boker Rangebuster is... It's a king-sized SodBuster with a lockback! I'd been thinking "a sodbuster is what he needs" when I saw that your Barlow wasn't quite "cutting it". :)

Good show!
 
My knife/knives say about me "Got a general idea of what I'm doing, but still trying to sort everything out."
 
coffeecup said:
A while back, I had an older lady approach me while I was gassing up my truck.

"Young man! Young man! I wonder if you could help me. I think there is something stuck under my car, it is steering funny." ("Young man" made me laugh, I was in my mid-40s at the time. I found out later she was about 93, so I suppose from her perspective I was young.)

I crawled under her car--a nice 2-dr Ford Falcon--yep, something wrapped around the steering. I slid my right hand out to get the barlow from my pocket, and as I opened it I heard her say, "Oh good. In my day every proper young gentleman carried a pocket knife!"

I started cutting and realized two things. First, the "something" was the dried remains of a skunk that she'd probably hit a few months before; and second, the barlow just wasn't enough to lever through the skunk jerky. I set the barlow down, reached out with my right hand and twisted my hips enough I could hook the lanyard of the Boker "rangebuster" in my left front pocket.

As I one-handed it open and brought my arm back under the Falcon, I heard her mutter something about how ". . . THAT is not a gentleman's knife!" After I got the skunk cleared away, the steering was fine and she was back on the road shortly.

I guess that's what my pocket knives say about me--I'm not a "proper young gentleman." I'm OK with that. But it is probably a good thing she didn't see the old Russell Sting 1A I was carrying in an IWB sheath just over my wallet, she might have thought I was a serial killer or something!
Click to expand...


This is a great story!!
 
My knives say I won't spend a penny more than I have to spend while still getting value for every penny spent. Here's another that cost me less $15.

CAMCO 702 jack
CAMCO%2520702.JPG
 
It says: I know how to use and work with a knife, a slip joint doesn't scare me. The knife I carry is old school and so am I.
 
arizonaranchman said:
I suppose I'm a combination of gentleman, old crank and even a bit of a ruffian too. :)
Click to expand...

Just means your a classy old ruffian :).

Is it bad your description gives puts the image of a monocle wearing, pipe smoking boxer in the ring who is in his 50's back in a time when boxer's didn't use gloves.
 
It says I need to get out more. Me and the knife(s). I carry a SAK Alox Farmer as my primary now. Only recently did it replace the Case mini-trapper that had been riding daily as my primary. (I still miss it, but it stays right by my keyboard. With another dozen knives. :eek: ) I need to get out where me an the knife can put the saw and other things to more use.

I guess it might say I don't really care if anyone else thinks it's cool or macho. I just care that it rides comfortably and handles 90% of my cutting needs, actual or wishful.

Look at my desk or a few other places though and those knives might say I'm an idiot and spend money on knives I don't need just to compensate and try to feel a connection to a past that while it had it's tough moments, had a lot more connection to living simple and satisfying.

Good quote in the OP. I was saying last century that our whole society and economy has and is based on rampant consumerism to the point that to slow or stop it would bring total economic collapse as it and the debt to support it is our whole economy.

I like my stuff, but it's compensation. I don't have a lot of stuff compared to many, but it's still compensation and a thin connection to a way of life I'd much prefer, but that I'm too far gone to be able to get back to or ever achieve. Little chance of getting back to that trailhead and taking the other path instead.
 
pinnah said:
I'm still here. Still trying to learn more about knives. But, I'm getting increasingly suspicious about the effects of it all.
Click to expand...

I think I understand your point, Pinnah. I have noticed (and admired) your simplified carry set-up on more than one occasion. It really does stand out amongst the flashy gadget driven photos many will post (not necessarily on the Traditional boards.)

"Il semble que la perfection soit atteinte non quand il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais quand il n'y a plus rien à retrancher."
-Antoine de Saint-Exupéry*
*Translation: "Perfection is finally attained not when there is no longer anything to add, but when there is no longer anything to take away."

I've often thought that if I could be honest with myself and choose a pocket knife practical to my needs, my Victorinox Pioneer is clearly the best choice. It does everything and more I could ever ask of a pocket knife; far more capable than other knives I own of similar dimensions.

So why can't I just carry my Pioneer and be satisfied? Because my heart craves exotic wood and jigged-bone, horn and stag, patterns and bolsters. It loves the wide range and variety of design. It loves the feel of an old-timey folder in hand. It loves the idea that a pocket knife can patina and wear in cadence with its owner: a traditional knife speaks to longevity but not immortality.

What do my knives say about me? They say "Please do not be offended if I don't 'get' your haircut or your music. Now get off my porch." :D

-Brett
 
Well, I've been thinking about what I wanted to post in this thread since the first day it was up. And I still haven't decided. I just like my knife. And I like that my kids know I have a knife if they need one. And a Leatherman. And a flashlight. Today my three year old wanted to show me his flash light. He was pretending a crayon was his light, compete with make believe tail switch.

I guess my knife says I'm full of family. That make sense? And other than three weeks of foolishness carrying only the pony jack, I've carried the same knife since September.

I guess my carry doesn't change at all.
Shears, LM Wave and Fenix PD 32, TC Barlow at work.
LM Juice S2, Streamlight Microstream, zebra collapsible pen, TC Barlow at home.

I'm a simple guy that likes routine. I like what works. I've find my groove. I'm satisfied.
 
timberweasel said:
So why can't I just carry my (Pioneer) Electrician and be satisfied? Because my heart craves exotic wood and jigged-bone, horn and stag, patterns and bolsters. It loves the wide range and variety of design. It loves the feel of an old-timey folder in hand. It loves the idea that a pocket knife can patina and wear in cadence with its owner: a traditional knife speaks to longevity but not immortality.

-Brett
Click to expand...

With the one change, Brett, this is almost exactly how I feel. You said it beautifully; your post nailed me. This is why I could get by with just my Electrician, but instead have about 3 dozen traditionals that I go back and forth between.

I guess that what my knife(s) say about me is that I'm blessed. With such a variety of lovely knives, I just can't bear to let them sit without use for long. At least this way none of them get worn out!
 
My knives say:

Faiaoga wants to be prepared for events that happen.......or at least LOOK as though he is prepared

He is more interested in function and practicality than in style or in impressing others

He takes care of his tools and has them at hand when needed

:cool:
 
Some of my knives say "this guy is a doer".
Some say " this guy's a dreamer".
Some say "this guy just loves cutlery!".
Others are just silent... It's the quiet ones that you got to watch out for! :D :p
 
Anyone heard from Pinnah? This is his thread, but he hasn't said anything since the original post.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top