Tell me what you know about giving a coin .....

[Rossr]

I have had an interest in sharp pointy things since I was a kid. Eventually I started making custom knives. Along that journey I occasionally saw some legend and lore about when you are given a knife you should give a coin to the person gifting you the knife. If you dont you will sever the friendship. I always liked the idea and have had some folks give me a coin over the years for knives I gave them. I've done the same too.

So folks what do you know about this? origins? There is some loose ideas on the net but just curious what u folks know

[Steve Warden]

I'm familiar with the lore. Not sure of the story behind it.
But not being a superstitious person, I pay it no mind.

[Mumbleypeg]

I’m familiar with that superstition also. As it was explained to me, the coin was to be given back to the giver. Thus the recipient in essence bought the knife from the giver.

For example, you give someone a knife along with a penny, nickel, or dime. They then give you back the coin, ostensibly as payment for the knife. And therefore it’s not a gift.

I’ve never paid any attention to it, just like a hundred other old superstitions that have lost their origins to time. But if I give someone a knife and they give me a coin, I don’t turn it down.

Ken

[deo-pa]

My suspect most of us don’t treat this as a superstition but rather as a nice tradition that conveys the importance of a knife to both the giver and receiver. I typically only mention this tradition when giving a knife to a friend or relative who is not a knife person and has never heard of it. I believe explaining and then invoking the tradition adds a little bit of meaning to the gift and I like to think the recipient feels the same. My last time doing this was with a nephew who visited us last summer.

To all of you who have ever enclosed a “little something extra” in a purchase you mailed me I hope you don’t think less of me for not mailing back a coin!

Now broken mirrors, spilled salt, black cats, and walking under ladders are something else entirely!

Dennis

[RobesonsRme.com]

The tradition is or was so prominent that numerous cutleries put one of their knives in a box with a penny included.

My son owns a Camillus dog leg jack in such a box with a 1947 Lincoln cent.

Charlie Noyes

[samb1955]

I’m familiar with that superstition also. As it was explained to me, the coin was to be given back to the giver. Thus the recipient in essence bought the knife from the giver.

For example, you give someone a knife along with a penny, nickel, or dime. They then give you back the coin, ostensibly as payment for the knife. And therefore it’s not a gift.

I’ve never paid any attention to it, just like a hundred other old superstitions that have lost their origins to time. But if I give someone a knife and they give me a coin, I don’t turn it down.

Ken

I don't turn it down either but I told my old bud Dave he was cheap when he gave me a nickel, Richard gave me a quarter for one just like his.

[Rossr]

My suspect most of us don’t treat this as a superstition but rather as a nice tradition that conveys the importance of a knife to both the giver and receiver. I typically only mention this tradition when giving a knife to a friend or relative who is not a knife person and has never heard of it. I believe explaining and then invoking the tradition adds a little bit of meaning to the gift and I like to think the recipient feels the same. My last time doing this was with a nephew who visited us last summer.

To all of you who have ever enclosed a “little something extra” in a purchase you mailed me I hope you don’t think less of me for not mailing back a coin!

Now broken mirrors, spilled salt, black cats, and walking under ladders are something else entirely!

Dennis

This is my feeling as well. Just a nice tradition and a fun talking point. Doesnt matter to me if someone does it or not. But Its an interesting thought

I have also heard the giver provides the coin and the reciever hands the coin back.

I wasn't aware of the factory element that is interesting

[dlr110]

From a book of mine

"In many cultures it’s traditionally believed that the giving of a knife as a gift will soon sever that relationship. To avoid this bad luck, the receiver of the gift should offer a coin in return so as to "pay" for the gift. It’s common in many cases to include a penny, often taped to the knife or the box that it comes in. The receiver of the gift is to return the coin as "payment" thereby saving the relationship. There’s one knife company that attaches a new penny to the box that their knives are sold in."

[zzyzzogeton]

I know it's just a superstition, but the one time I forgot to do a coin exchange was when I grabbed a new tomahawk out of my trunk and gave it to someone who had been a friend for nearly 15 years.

That was 5 years ago. Haven't seen hide nor hair of him since. My old flip phone crashed 2 days after I last saw him and I lost his phone number, so I couldn't call him and he has never tried to call me (I've had the same cell phone number since 1994).

So maybe it's true and maybe it's not.

[rea1eye]

Superstition or folklore, I think it would just be fun to do it. In the times
we are now in ( and will continue to be in for several months) we need to
lighten our spirits and maintain the close ties we have with other humans.

Bob

[fergusontd]

I always heard that when someone gave you a knife it was bad luck if you didn't give a coin to "buy" it. Maybe just an old superstition. ftd

[espn77]

Not my knife, its John's "pearlrooster " hope he doesn't mind if I show it here.

[LongBlade]

Thanks for posting that awesome example Keith from John (pearl rooster) ... That is a sweet score with the original dated coin!!

[Old Folder]

I posted the below similar topic on August 28, 2016
under "Knife Superstitions"
Very interesting that some individuals lives are actually controlled and perhaps changed due to their superstitious beliefs.
Many have religious connotations.
Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.
However, I enjoy reading them.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49590

Dan

[knife7knut]

Whenever someone is thoughtful enough to give me a knife I always make a big deal out of the,"superstition" and tell them about it.I believe it makes the relationship even more special.Here is a Camco that I got many years ago.

[Rossr]

Really.love all the original.boxes with pennies shown!

I posted the below similar topic on August 28, 2016
under "Knife Superstitions"
Very interesting that some individuals lives are actually controlled and perhaps changed due to their superstitious beliefs.
Many have religious connotations.
Superstitious beliefs have been shown to help promote a positive mental attitude. Although they can lead to irrational decisions, such as trusting in the merits of good luck and destiny rather than sound decision making.
However, I enjoy reading them.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49590

Dan

interesting stuff.


Really appreciate everyone sharing.

Superstition or folklore, I think it would just be fun to do it. In the times
we are now in ( and will continue to be in for several months) we need to
lighten our spirits and maintain the close ties we have with other humans.

Bob

Bob I couldnt agree more. It's a really nice thought and if someone is willing to.gift you a knife it's a pleasant thought to share a coin back so you dont sever the relationship.

[RobesonsRme.com]

That is the same box Josh’s Camillus jack is in, but a different knife.
Charlie

[Reverand]

I had not heard of this when I was growing up. I don't know if it is a regional thing, or if it is dying out and I missed hearing it.

But I don't believe in it anyway - I think that superstitions are bad luck.

[doglegg]

"I think that superstitions are bad luck".......