"You don't give a knife as a gift" ...Umm really!?!

H

hazy

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Mar 1, 2013
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So I was talking with my mom today and she told me that there is a saying that you are not supposed to give knives as a gift. This is the first I've ever heard of this, is this a common thing people say (or practice)? Can't say I agree with it, I think a knife is a wonderful and practical gift, and one I love to give friends and family. Anyways I'm doing a bit of googling on this right now, gunna try to get to bottom of it. In the mean time what do you guys think (I'm pretty sure I know the answer :D )?
 
Cutting the friendship or something or another..don't remember it.
 
There's an old wive's tale that says the receiver is supposed to pay at least a penny for the knife. It's supposed to be bad luck if they don't. Maybe that's what your mom meant.
 
Yep - Rick is on it - my elders (and heck, I am old!) always put a penny in any gift that included a knife. Probably it.

best

mqqn
 
Yeah so it seems it's a superstition about "cutting the relationship" basically, and yes it seems the idea of paying the giver at least a penny so that it is not technically a gift (I guess) is the counter to it. Pretty funny, I'm really not superstitious at all, but looking back many of the people I have given knives to are no longer in my life, but I always just thought that was because I'm a shitty friend, who knew!?
 
I given knifes as gifts for several decades, but only to friends or family that had a use for one and that were responsible. There is always a few I would not trust with a letter opener.
 
I missed that memo. Got my dad a knife engraved with his name on it for Christmas last year. He's always needing to borrow a knife when we're hunting, so I got him a knife for him to loan out. Name engraved, because it made a basic production knife more personal.
 
The receiver is supposed to give a coin to he giver (that is one way I have heard it).
 
I'm going to have to mail out some coins to friends here, I don't want to lose their friendship.
 
In Scotish, Jewish and many other cultures when you want to end a friendship or tell a family member that you want nothing to do with them any more, you give them a knife, cutting the ties.

The return of the coin, deletes the bad JuJu. I think this goes back to Roman times

tape a penny oho the box or hand them one and ask them to hand it back if you are concerned. I've given MANY knives as gifts and stopped bothering with it a number of years ago.
 
I agree that we need to get to the bottom of this all. How about you all send me high-end knives? I will pay half of you a penny, and the other half nothing. We will see who I am still friends with at the end of it all.
 
I am too old to believe in the Easter Bunny, black cats being bad luck, that you get warts from a frog, and other such nonsense.
 
A Chinese friend said that I was never to give a knife as a wedding, or it would cut the luck of the newlyweds. Chinese New Years was also a no-knife gift time, or it would cut the new luck before it even started. So I gave her a Spyderco Native on a day that was carefully selected to be taboo-free, and we are still friends.
 
My old man always told me never 'give' a knife to a friend as it could 'cut' the friendship - in fact he has given me plenty of knives over the years and always asks me for a coin in return.

I have always followed his lead on this, you do get some amusing looks from friends when you give them a knife and then proceed to ask for some money! of course once its all explained its all good and adds a little humor to the gift.

Happy knife giving!
 
Very interesting stuff, I don't really believe in superstition, but I also don't see any reason to tempt it. I will adhere to this rule from now on.
 
BitingSarcasm said:
A Chinese friend said that I was never to give a knife as a wedding, or it would cut the luck of the newlyweds. Chinese New Years was also a no-knife gift time, or it would cut the new luck before it even started. So I gave her a Spyderco Native on a day that was carefully selected to be taboo-free, and we are still friends.
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That's correct. Nothing sharp for Chinese weddings, period. Not even a table cutlery set.

For CNY, the first day must be free from sharp objects, this includes any knives (folding, utility, kitchen, etc), scissors, gardening tools and weapons. All are to be hidden from view. The 2nd day onwards is fine.
 
RevDevil said:
I'm going to have to mail out some coins to friends here, I don't want to lose their friendship.
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In the Traditional forum coins are sent quite a bit for GAW's of one sort or another. I kind of protest that since I feel it's a "pay it forward" thing in that case and that the reward is good karma.

DocT said:
I am too old to believe in the Easter Bunny, black cats being bad luck, that you get warts from a frog, and other such nonsense.
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My psychic told be it was bad luck to be superstitious.

benzology said:
of course once its all explained its all good and adds a little humor to the gift.
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Lieblad said:
I try to hold tradition of this to folks who appreciate old customs & folklore.
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Yeah, it's just a nice little thing once explained. I do it often but in a more formal situation don't bother. It should add to the gift in a way, not detract from it.
 
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