What kind of pocketknife do the Amish men carry

I would think that they would by whatever is available. Ive been to Amish country many times in the past. usually most harware stores they frequent usually carry the old timers and lower end (case, etc.) common stockmans and such.
 
Daniel Dorn said:
brave people who feel called to bring the Gospel to 3rd world countries
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uhhh....
do they write letters and ask for it to be brought to them?

sorry, couldn't help myself. no offense to anyone of any religion is intended.
i'm an equal-opportunity fun-poker.
peace.
 
Since we are on the lighter side of knife chatter, I felt inspired to compose a limerick in honor of The Amish. By the way, I watched every episode of "Amish in the City" and thought it was great! Never once did I see a knife on the show, but Mose sure was good with those woodworking tools!...

So here is my lame attempt at Amish Limerick Humor..

"There once was a boy on Rumspringa...
Who was told only bring one or two thinga...
So he went to the shed...
And from under his bed...
Found a Seb inscribed "It's Good To Be Kinga!" :D

I know, I know, I mean no harm with this, or bias towards one particularly Spectacular knife....LOL :p
 
Keith Mayton said:
My answer has to be I don't know. But I once ran into a Amish guy who made fixed blade knives from old files. I believe he was a blacksmith.
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thats generally what smithies do ;) you can also use the large horse rasps when they wear out to make axes...waste not want not.
 
My parents lived in Lancaster County for many years and I have some familiarity with the Amish, although if you aren’t Amish you can’t learn too much. They are true survivalists able to improvise and make just about any tool they use. Even though they are some of the wealthiest people in that area, because of the land they own, they pretty much spend next to nothing on conveniences. I would think they would make whatever cutting tool they would use. If they were to buy a folder I would think it would be something simple, but of tool quality, not junk and certainly not a $300 Seb.
 
Piney said:
My parents lived in Lancaster County for many years and I have some familiarity with the Amish, although if you aren’t Amish you can’t learn too much. They are true survivalists able to improvise and make just about any tool they use. Even though they are some of the wealthiest people in that area, because of the land they own, they pretty much spend next to nothing on conveniences. I would think they would make whatever cutting tool they would use. If they were to buy a folder I would think it would be something simple, but of tool quality, not junk and certainly not a $300 Seb.
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My mother and her boyfriend had a farm upstate NY in Friendship, a fairly large Amish community, their house was built by the Amish on a 150 acre farm, no electric, wood/coal stoves for heat, wells for water, attached double holer privy/outhouse all in a beautiful hand built house that was designed with provisions to make a normal house out of it.

They, (my mother and her boyfriend) fit in so well with the life style they paid $50,000 for the 4 year old house and property, the Amish liked them so much they actually welcomed them into the community, they were included in Barn Raisings, Planting/Harvest time, the Amish even came over to help my ma with her farm, in all that time I must have seen the men/boys pull pocketknives out to do everything from repair a harness for the horse to cut up an apple for an afternoon snack.

IIRC the one type knife that I remember seeing the boys carry most often was a form of a Boyscout/Kampking style knife, ah but that was pert near 15 years ago.

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I sent of an Email to Brian Huegel of Country Knives in Lancaster a predominately Amish area and he was kind enough to reply.

Here is his answer in its entirety:

Hi T.Erdelyi:



Per your query, you pose an interesting question, yet one that comes from some ignorance of the Amish and their culture. I suppose many of these misconceptions arise from recent movies, reality television, and comedian jokes. Frankly, in many ways the Amish are not much different than most Americans. They live the way they do based on simple Christian principles, dress the way they do to have us (non-Amish) notice them and reflect on how they live versus how we live. They have most modern conveniences (indoor plumbing, gas stoves and refrigerators, coal heat, gas/naphtha/battery lighting, compressed air power tools, and diesel powered farm equipment). They have shunned electricity that is bought from the power company, as would be disruptive to the close family lifestyle, i.e., television and radio as its influence stretches and corrupts the family unit. They read local newspapers, vote in local, state and national elections. They are supporters and members of local volunteer fire and ambulance companies. If anything, they are the neighbors you wish you had and I am glad we have. Old Order Amish do not drive automobiles because they normally do not need to travel more than ten miles to visit their relatives, friends, and local stores. Traveling in a horse and buggy gives them time to reflect and slow-down in this (and their) ever increasingly fast paced world. If they need to travel further, they hire drivers with vans/trucks to take them.



The idea that they would carry and use a special or different type of folding knife is relatively absurd. They do not live in the eighteenth century like the actors in Williamsburg. They are hard working farmers, carpenters, craftsman, etc. So, to answer you question, Amish men carry folding knives based on their needs and income level. There is not a specific type or brand. They appreciate good quality, but purchase what is practical and what they can afford. With the exception of a few very affluent Amish men, they do not collect pocketknives, nor own a variety to trade-off periodically. Their frugal nature prescribes a notion of buying what is necessary and will be used, not what one wants for the sake of ‘having it’. They are not as easily influenced by current fads or trends, or needing to buy another knife just because one has gotten tired of carrying the same knife and has the luxury of buying a new or different one.



I hope this has answered your question and perhaps generates others.



Thank you for your interest. If I may be of further assistance, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Brian

N. Brian Huegel
COUNTRY KNIVES INC.
4134 Old Philadelphia Pike
PO Box 576
Intercourse, PA 17534
717 768 3818
717 768 0335 (fax)
www.countryknives.com
 
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