Why buy a knife?

[cerulean]

I've also heard about that superstition being used when giving keris as gifts. It's weird that the tradition would be seen in so many different cultures: China, Japan, Indonesia, Scandinavia, the US... It could be really interesting to try and research its history.

 

[Sal Glesser]

Knife history and superstitions are many. I think it would make a great article, maybe even a book?

It was believed in many cultures that if you drew your edged weapon and didn't draw blood with it, you would have bad luck in the next battle.

So it became common for blade-smiths to put a small sharp point at the hilt. If you drew your weapon and didn't draw an enemy's blood, you would prick your finger with the sharp edge before putting it back in the sheath.

sal

 

[Charlie Mike]

I used to nick myself with any new knife that was going to be a keeper. My understanding (Druidic pagan) was that you shed your blood in peace so that you won't shed blood in battle.

 

[mrmaigo]

In some parts of America, it is considered bad luck to sharpen a knife, or any blade, after dark.

If have to disagree with this one, I almost always cut my self if I sharpen a knife mid day :thumbdn:

 

[glocktenman]

Interesting.........Thanks.

 

[GRIM 62]

Looks like I'm screwed,I've gifted many knives.

 

[Lenny_Goofoff]

the same in Russia. i always ask for a small silver-ish coin when i gift a knife.

 

[Fred S2]

With all of my relatives and friends, we "charge" $.25 when we give a knife.

 

[Thin Lizzy81]

Ya cool info:thumbup:

 

[DennisStrickland]

i always heard this started with the olden times in england.bad luck to receive a gift knife with giving a penny to giver.

 

[SOLEIL]

Looks like I'm screwed,I've gifted many knives.

Me too. I have given away more knives than I can remember. They have been both new and used. They have all gone to good friends and family as we always do favors for each other. Sometimes I will take away an unsafe knife from a friend and give them a good one (with their permission). I do have one tradition though. I offer free lifetime sharpening and service for any knife I gift or give away to friends and family. They still all remain good friends and companions. Am I just lucky or is the light at the end of the tunnel going to be a train?.

 

[100eyes]

lol, good thing I don't believe in superstitions. I've given out plenty of knives as gifts and in many cases developed better relationships.

ignorance is bliss.