What's the deal with all the pennies?

[AntDog]

In a lot of threads I see where someone was given a knife, they also include a penny or some type of coin in the package. What's the deal with this?

My Mom taught me a tradition a long time ago about knives. She said you should never, ever give a knife to someone and not receive anything in return. She said if that happens, the passing of the free knife "cuts the friendship". Ever since, I have never given a knife to anyone without accepting something in return..... Except once. I gave a coworker a knife, and wouldn't you know it - he gave it away to his uncle for his birthday, then a couple weeks later acted very distant toward me.... Like the passing of the knife had severed our friendship.

So, why is the coin being sent WITH the knife? Is the person who received the knife and the coin supposed to mail the coin back? If that's the case, doesn't sending the coin defeat the purpose? Isn't it supposed to be something the knife recipient owns that is given back in return?

Maybe the tradition I'm seeing here is different from the one I was thought as a boy?

 

[Jack Black]

Your mother was right :thumbup:

Search and you'll find a whole thread about this

 

[Humppa]

What your mother says is right.

It´s a tradition here in Germany never to give a knife - only selling is ok and just be it a penny or cent. Otherwise it will cut the friendship of the two parts of the trade.

 

[Primble]

In a lot of threads I see where someone was given a knife, they also include a penny or some type of coin in the package. What's the deal with this?

My Mom taught me a tradition a long time ago about knives. She said you should never, ever give a knife to someone and not receive anything in return. She said if that happens, the passing of the free knife "cuts the friendship". Ever since, I have never given a knife to anyone without accepting something in return..... Except once. I gave a coworker a knife, and wouldn't you know it - he gave it away to his uncle for his birthday, then a couple weeks later acted very distant toward me.... Like the passing of the knife had severed our friendship.

So, why is the coin being sent WITH the knife? Is the person who received the knife and the coin supposed to mail the coin back? If that's the case, doesn't sending the coin defeat the purpose? Isn't it supposed to be something the knife recipient owns that is given back in return?

Maybe the tradition I'm seeing here is different from the one I was thought as a boy?

My understanding of the old tradition is that the recipient gives a coin (any coin) to prevent the friendship from being severed by the gifting of the knife. This way, the recipient can feel like he has paid for the knife and is not in debt to the giver.

What you might be seeing here is someone sending a knife and coin - to one whom has previously gifted a knife to that person - and not only is a coin being given - but a knife given in return, as well.

Giving a knife does not guarantee a lasting friendship and the giver should never expect anything in return, however, I would feel uncomfortable in giving away a knife that was gifted to me by a friend.

I don't feel quite the same about a knife that was won or given away as a random GAW prize. It would not bother me if the winner sold or gave away the knife, at a later date.

 

[AntDog]

My understanding of the old tradition is that the recipient gives a coin (any coin) to prevent the friendship from being severed by the gifting of the knife. This way, the recipient can feel like he has paid for the knife and is not in debt to the giver.

What you might be seeing here is someone sending a knife and coin - to one whom has previously gifted a knife to that person - and not only is a coin being given - but a knife given in return, as well.

Giving a knife does not guarantee a lasting friendship and the giver should never expect anything in return, however, I would be embarrassed to give away a knife that was gifted to me.

Ohhhhh! Now I get it! So the coin is for a previous gift! Ok, understood.

I thought it was just some old southern tradition my Mom taught me. Had no idea how many people actually knew about it - and how many parts of the world know about it too.

And yeah, I thought it was very bad mojo for my friend to give that knife away. I gave him a really nice knife and a week layer he was carrying a flea market special. Shameful.

 

[Cory Hess]

Had no idea how many people actually knew about it

Some people didn't know. Some people didn't find out until after they had already received a couple knives on these here forums.

Nobody I know, though.

 

[Jack Black]

I don't think I've ever come across a tradition which seems to be so widespread, they even have it in Russia.

 

[Toddwalla]

When giving a knife to someone who is unaware of the tradition, I generally gift a coin with the knife. That gives me the opportunity to explain the tradition. Then the receiver of the knife can either return the coin or find something else. Generally, my experience has been that they choose to find a memento of their own to share. I've received coins from other countries that that person is from or has traveled to, but I've also been given little tchochkes like a small jade elephant or the like.

Cheers