More Ebay Theater

[just bob]

More entertainment brought to you by Ebay sellers. I was looking at this listing a realized I didn't know the difference between a shiv and a shank. I took a moment to look it up.


Shiv

Shiv is a word that can be both a noun, as well as a verb. As a noun, it refers to a knife or, still better, a slang term for a knife. As a verb, it refers to the act of stabbing someone with a sharp object. The word has origins in the gypsy tribes of Romania and Moldova that used such objects. If you are derisive or taunting someone, you can say that he used a Shiv to cut the rope. Of course, you said it as he did not make use of a proper knife to cut the rope.

Shank

Shank is a term that is used for anything that looks or works like a knife. It is of course a slang term for this kind of a homemade knife. It may not even be metallic to be labeled a shank. You can call a shard of glass with a cloth tied at one end as a shank.


I have seen dozens of prison movies and numerous TV shows and in each and every case where there is a shank it is a fixed blade and crudely fashioned from odd metal or maybe glass, wood, or other stiff items I also remember seeing one that was ingeniously made from toilet paper. I have never seen a folding shiv - until now and low and behold this guy has several of them. Apparently the inmate was so impressed with his work that he put his name on the side of it just in case it was left stuck in bubba's belly the authorities would know who to return the knife to. How thoughtful! But then you're not done just yet. This crafty knife can also be used for survival. That's right it is almost guaranteed to survive almost any pillow fight. In looking at the knife I'm not sure it would slice a boiled egg. It may be hand made. I'll give him that, but a true folk artist would be ashamed to have his name associated with it. And for only $50. It's a good thing he has several - these will go fast. Only my opinion that this is a sharp object that may have been confiscated by law enforcement at some point but I see something terribly wrong in describing an item like this and including Bible verses in the description. Not good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/PRISON-KNIFE-S ... 1438.l2649

[Meridian_Mike]

LOL..... that is great!!

[Mumbleypeg]

More eBay theater. I classify this one as comedy. Seller listing is “Case Tested XX Barlow Bone Handled Knife”.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Case-T ... SwiAJemxmy

Ken