Who gives a penny when gifted with a knife?

[akadave2]

I ask because it is a "traditional" thing to do and with all the GA's that are done here I was wondering if the custom or form of the custom is observed?

 

[JAlexander]

I can't recall the last time someone gave me a knife, but I always get a penny when I give someone a knife.

 

[wafarers]

I have given away a couple knives and always got a dime in exchange. I never asked either. The tradition is alive and well.

 

[pertinux]

Someone gave me a knife and a penny. I think he must really want to be done with me!

()

~ P.

 

[VCM3]

I have seen slipjoints built in Italy that came in a "gift set" with a coin included & an explanation of the tradition

 

[zippofan]

I've heard of the tradition but haven't followed it so far. I have given knives away to Boy Scouts, including 2 which were given to me by Sitflyer (a Buck and a SAK). I don't think the boys or their parents have heard of that tradition though...so I'm not sure what to do in that context.

The boys enjoyed their knives, and I have pictures which I will post one of these days!

 

[Stich2442]

My understanding has always been that the person who receives the knife, gives a coin to the giver as to not sever the relationship.

 

[stabman]

Never.
A knife given or received is its own reward.

 

[Astrogator]

In our family we traditionally give any "silver" coin when gifted with a knife.

 

[iahunter3]

I've gifted several, but never received a coin. I received one as a gift/prize and haven't sent a coin-thanks for the reminder.

 

[sitflyer]

This has been a tradition between my father and I since I was a young boy, if a knife was gifted the giftee was expected to hand over a coin at the exchange. He told me it was an old tradition, and before the interwebs, these things were just kind of accepted at face value...
Often when gifting a knife, when I am face to face, I will ask for a coin. When mailing a knife oftentimes I will include a coin or other memento...for luck.

Side note: a wallet was never to be gifted empty in my family...it Must include a penny at the least, so that the recipient was never to be hit by poverty...

 

[Humppa]

Well, I always try to give something personal from me with the knife. Sometimes, it´s just another knife. But I like that tradition and I like it to give knives to others. Always a great fun... Not a coin, mostly something personal from myself for me in fact.

 

[Mr. Night]

I have given a few knives away over the years, never got a coin back.

also have never heard of this till now. if I gave away the knife, why would I want a coin?

 

[Maniacal Pete]

I received an antique Henckels carving knife as a gift from a Hungarian chef,
he told me it was a dollar - now I feel used.

 

[markpmc]

given a few nice gec's away, never got anything but a handshake and a smile.

 

[megnin]

I gave my neighbor a knife and he gave me a Japanese 10 yen coin and explained the tradition to me.

 

[Fishinbo]

May I ask what is the rationale behind the tradition?

 

[Humppa]

May I ask what is the rationale behind the tradition?

I can just speak from germany - Here it´s not very good to give any cutting to another person. This will "cut" the friendship. So there´s some coin added, to "sell" the knife symbolically. For sure, not the coin is the gift, but the knife. I hope this helps a little.

 

[yablanowitz]

It's one of those fine, old-time traditions that I'd never even heard of until I started hanging around here.

 

[C_Becker]

I heard it "cuts the friendship" to gift a knife, so the receiver gives a penny.
Then it wasn't a gift, it was bought.

Me, I'm not superstitious and I think its kinda ridiculous, tbh
I will happily walk under ladders, have a 13 on my motorcycle's number plate and I'm not afraid of black cats either