Old Wives Tales about Cutlery

[9ball]

Good morning Folks ,

Have any of you ever heard some of these tales or know of others?

1. Never close a pocket knife someone else has opened, or you will have Bad Luck.

2. If someone give you a pocket knife as a gift, it is custom to give them money in return?
Seems like I read this one in Knife World recently.

Just curious, I have heard the first one for years. Did not know if it is just circulated in this area or not.

Thanks for comments in advance.
9ball

[smiling-knife]

Hi 9-ball. I had not heard number one. I have heard number 2. I think I read somewhere that a knife given as a gift will sever the relationship bewteen the two parties. Thus, giving some money in return means that it technically is not a gift and the 'curse' does not apply. I am interested to hear what others have to say on the subject. s-k

[Roger - 50/2050]

Hey 9ball,

Rick, I have heard of both as they are practiced here in Montgomery County with the older knife collectors I hang out with where I live (old Magnolia) & the neighboring Waller County out in the back woods area, in fact, I even remember my Dad making mention of both to me at an early age (mid 50's) when he used to give me small folders back in the day! On the 2nd one, it was & still is the practice if someone gave you a knife the person on the receiving end would give you a coin in respect!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[ButchTN]

Hi Rick. I have heard #1 all of my life, as a matter of fact everyone I know follows that rule. I have heard #2 when I was in the Army, although it was a bit different. I heard you were only supposed to give knives as gifts to family members because if you gave them to friends it would sever the friendship. I dont belive in either one of these myths but I still wont close a knife that was handed to me open because I dont want anyone to blame me for any random misfortune they may have. As for #2 I have never had one of my friends be any thing other than very pleased at recieving a knife as a gift.

I think these myths may be regional as I live in the south, close to you, and we both have heard about #1 most of our lives and I only heard about #2 when I was stationed overseas with people from all over the country. Thats just my opinion and I could be wrong,which is the case more often than not

Butch

[smiling-knife]

Why is it inappropriate to run with scissors but not with a bowie knife ? s-k

[Roger - 50/2050]

Howdy Butch,

As in most cases, the common historical practices of the days of old will not be remembered or in this case considered as myths in this modern ever changing world we all live in today & progress is to blame for this! ....The old timers I trade & chew the knife fat with here in Southern Texas hold both, #1. & #2. as being both common practices from the days of old, these maybe myths & old wives tails in Tenn but here in Southern Texas they are old common practices that are not forgotten, not yet anyway!

Happy Trails to ya'll!


"Texas collector", Roger - 50/2050

[tank]

As growing up in TN both #1 and #2 were cardinal rules. I dont neccasarily believe them but it's just a nice tradition and nowdays we dont have many of those left so I will pass them on to my nephew when I give him his first knife.

[JOE62]

I never really believed if old wives tales, but I have given knives away to a couple of people without receiving a coin in return and now I am no longer friends with them.

[CarlM]

If you close a pocket knife someone else has opened, it will cut your friendship.

[MITCH RAPP]

DAMN! I have alot of coins I have to collect from family and friends, thanks to superstition #2

[4ever3]

Hey 9ball, I have heard both of them for as long as I can remember, altough in #1 I was always told to hand a knife back like it was handed to you, open, closed or on half stops, however you got it, give it back that way. #2 is used whenever I give or recieve a knife. Its kinda fun to explain that one to someone for the first time. Mitch, go collect all those coins...MORE KNIFE MONEY

[SFC ADP]

I have heard both of these stories. Actually the 2nd one was mentioned in a Movie with Anthony Hopkins, and one of the Baldwin guys. I forget the name of the movie though. It was the one where they were in Alaska and are in a plane crash.
Anthony Hopkins received a knife, and gave a coin to the Baldwin guy, so it would not sever their friendship.

Knife Stories on the big screen!

[angie]

I'm from East TN also, and have only heard the first one. With the knives that I'm selling, I have to have my husband to open most of them for me because of my nails, and he's constantly preaching at me about letting him shut them back!

[Mossdancer]

Hi Rick;
I would call them superstitions, they are alive and well on the west coast.
Did you notice how violating either one severs the relationship.
wb

[9ball]

Good morning Folks,

I guess I should have titled this "True Knife Facts", but then again, someone could have said that was balderdash!

If you hand me a open pocket knife, I stick my hands in my pockets on impulse. Not superstitious, I just do not take chances.

Glad to see they are "Nationwide".
Smiling Knife , I guess it is up to you to make it "Worldwide".
These are traditions that need to be passed on.

W.B.

Yeah, I read that.

Any other "True Knife Facts" out there?

Rick
a.k.a.
9ball

[wt3l]

Hi There 9-Ball,

Well here in West Virginia, an area rich in traditions as well as superstitions, whenever a knife is passed around if it's blades are open they'll be open when the owner gets his knife back.

Now concerning the giving of a token coin or two for a knife as a gift.... I've never heard of that one. I DO have some Kin-folk...(An Appalachian Mountain Term) that I would'nt give money to no matter what knife they gave me. heheheh On all the major holidays they come over to our house and eat up all my groceries

I do know what happens if you play a country music song backwards....
You get your wife back, your mom gets outta prison, your pick-up truck don't break-down,your mother-in-law stays home, and you dog doesn't die !!!!

later, Keith J. WT3L

[smiling-knife]

I do know what happens if you play a country music song backwards....
You get your wife back, your mom gets outta prison, your pick-up truck don't break-down,your mother-in-law stays home, and you dog doesn't die !!!!

later, Keith J. WT3L

Now that is funny If your whisky bottle refills... I am going to try it tonight. s-k