Knives again

maxine in ri said:

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I've heard to never gift any one with a knife. We sell them to the person
for a penny for just the reason you stated.. the relationship will be
severed. Can't find a source in the few minutes I spent at Google, just
several repetitions of the above.

Debbie

maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

Absolutely! No knives, scissors or anything else that can "cut the
friendship" are to be given. In my family, if something like this were
to be given you'd request a penny (or include a penny to be given back
as "payment"😉 in exchange for this gift.
another superstition is that luggage, purses, wallets, etc. also always
given with a coin inside so they'd never be "empty". To this day all my
luggage and leather goods contain a coin. I use foreign coins for my
kids, so they can't spend it, lol.
Goomba

maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

Absolutely! No knives, scissors or anything else that can "cut the
friendship" are to be given. In my family, if something like this were
to be given you'd request a penny (or include a penny to be given back
as "payment"😉 in exchange for this gift.
another superstition is that luggage, purses, wallets, etc. also always
given with a coin inside so they'd never be "empty". To this day all my
luggage and leather goods contain a coin. I use foreign coins for my
kids, so they can't spend it, lol.
Goomba

Debbie said:

maxine in ri said:

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I've heard to never gift any one with a knife. We sell them to the person
for a penny for just the reason you stated.. the relationship will be
severed. Can't find a source in the few minutes I spent at Google, just
several repetitions of the above.

Debbie

That's fascinating! I live in an environment where carrying a pocket
knife is considered a Very Good Idea, and giving one as a gift is often
seen as caring enough about the recipient to ensure that s/he is safe,
healthy, and well-prepared for almost anything that gets thrown in
their way :-)

Alexis.

Debbie said:

maxine in ri said:

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I've heard to never gift any one with a knife. We sell them to the person
for a penny for just the reason you stated.. the relationship will be
severed. Can't find a source in the few minutes I spent at Google, just
several repetitions of the above.

Debbie

That's fascinating! I live in an environment where carrying a pocket
knife is considered a Very Good Idea, and giving one as a gift is often
seen as caring enough about the recipient to ensure that s/he is safe,
healthy, and well-prepared for almost anything that gets thrown in
their way :-)

Alexis.

"Alexis" <[email hidden]> ha scritto nel messaggio
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Debbie said:

maxine in ri said:

> On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
> never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
> with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
> relationship will not be severed.
>
> Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
> whence it came?

In the southern Italy ther is this custom. I also think it's true! I like
little knife and many people gave me as gift. Well, I always broken
relationship because I haven't gave them a cent!
Same thing with handkerchief. You must not present handkerchiefs unless you
"pay" for it a symbolic amount of money
Pandora

"maxine in ri" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I gave a couple of Henckles knives to someone as a shower gift (I was
in the wedding) ... I had them wrapped by the Macy's gift department,
I gave them a penny for each knife and asked them to tape them to the
blades. At the shower, the couple had to take the pennies off and return
them to me. Created quite a stir. Even the wrapper lady at the store
thought it was enchanting.

I suppose it's no different than (from?) never giving someone an empty
wallet ... you always include a nominal amount of money in it.

nancy

"maxine in ri" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I gave a couple of Henckles knives to someone as a shower gift (I was
in the wedding) ... I had them wrapped by the Macy's gift department,
I gave them a penny for each knife and asked them to tape them to the
blades. At the shower, the couple had to take the pennies off and return
them to me. Created quite a stir. Even the wrapper lady at the store
thought it was enchanting.

I suppose it's no different than (from?) never giving someone an empty
wallet ... you always include a nominal amount of money in it.

nancy

Nancy Young said:

"maxine in ri" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

I gave a couple of Henckles knives to someone as a shower gift (I was
in the wedding) ... I had them wrapped by the Macy's gift department,
I gave them a penny for each knife and asked them to tape them to the
blades. At the shower, the couple had to take the pennies off and return
them to me. Created quite a stir. Even the wrapper lady at the store
thought it was enchanting.

I suppose it's no different than (from?) never giving someone an empty
wallet ... you always include a nominal amount of money in it.

nancy

Not just knives, but scissors, needles and pins, such as stickpins and
brooches, are never given, only "sold". Knives and scissors could
sever a friendship and pins and needles with their sharp points could
hurt it.

I always ask for a penny if I give someone such a dangerous gift.
Knock on wood, I am not superstitious. :o)

Goomba38 said:

maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

another superstition is that luggage, purses, wallets, etc. also
always given with a coin inside so they'd never be "empty". To this
day all my luggage and leather goods contain a coin. I use foreign
coins for my kids, so they can't spend it, lol.
Goomba

They can't spend it unless they book a trip to said foreign country 😉

Jill

In article <[email hidden]>, Janet Bostwick

Quoted message said:

"Charles Gifford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip
I haven't used either one

Quoted message said:

since I got my santuko. Really super knife!

Charliam

By it's nature, is the santuko a lighter-weight knife? The non-big-name
brands ones that I have held have seemed to light and thin for the body
size. They're been balanced, but didn't feel right in my hand--they felt
like they would be dangerous because the blade was thin and the whole knife
lighter weight. For instance, I really love my 8-inch Chef's knife as there
is weight that I can feel pressing against the heel of my hand, but the
blade is heavy enough, thick enough, that it feels right. It doesn't feel
like it would snap or skid sideways and the santuko knives that I hefted
did.

The non-big-name brands probably are lighter and won't match the
balance of a big name Chef's knife. But a big-name Santuko will
probably feel the same. I use my Shun Santuko for everything but
hacking which probably wouldn't hurt it; but the knife just feels like
a precision instrument. Unfortunately it's also priced like one. Which
probably makes me respect it more . . for fear of having to replace it.

In article <[email hidden]>, Margaret Suran

Quoted message said:

Not just knives, but scissors, needles and pins, such as stickpins and
brooches, are never given, only "sold". Knives and scissors could
sever a friendship and pins and needles with their sharp points could
hurt it.

I always ask for a penny if I give someone such a dangerous gift.
Knock on wood, I am not superstitious. :o)

<cough> BTW, I'd forgotten to put the scissors in my checked bag on
the way home and the vigilant TSA folks inspected my handbag when it
showed up on their picture. They approved them for transport in my bag.
I'm glad I didn't pay much for them.
--
-Barb, <http://www.jamlady.eboard.com> 8/3/05 New York-Vermont tab (a
couple pictures added to the 7/29 note on 8/5)

jmcquown said:

Goomba38 said:

maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

another superstition is that luggage, purses, wallets, etc. also
always given with a coin inside so they'd never be "empty". To this
day all my luggage and leather goods contain a coin. I use foreign
coins for my kids, so they can't spend it, lol.
Goomba

They can't spend it unless they book a trip to said foreign country 😉

Jill

I insist on real USA money. Or at least a Canadian penny, but I do
like getting a nice, shiny USA penny. :o)

Charles Gifford said:

I just wanted to mention that I recently purchased (on sale fortunately) a
Wusthof Classic santuko knife. It is fabulous! It is now my favorite knife!
I was skeptical, but I am now a believer! What a knife!

Charliam

I felt the same way Charliam. I finally bought a Henckels Pro Santoku and
a paring knife. Those two take care of about 90% of all my knife work so
there's not point in my buying any more expensive knives. I know some
folks don't like a santoku, but I do. The paring knife is used like a mini
chef's knife while all my actual paring is done with a 3" Chicago Cutlery
parer. All of my knives are kept sharp enough to cut tomato skin at the
first touch, but only the expensive ones stay that way very long without
touchup.
--
The Brick said that (Don't bother to agree with me, I have already changed my mind.)

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Janet Bostwick said:

"Charles Gifford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip
I haven't used either one

Quoted message said:

since I got my santuko. Really super knife!

Charliam

By it's nature, is the santuko a lighter-weight knife? The non-big-name
brands ones that I have held have seemed to light and thin for the body
size. They're been balanced, but didn't feel right in my hand--they felt
like they would be dangerous because the blade was thin and the whole knife
lighter weight. For instance, I really love my 8-inch Chef's knife as there
is weight that I can feel pressing against the heel of my hand, but the
blade is heavy enough, thick enough, that it feels right. It doesn't feel
like it would snap or skid sideways and the santuko knives that I hefted
did.

Both Wustof and Henckels market some lower grade knives, but the Top
of the line Wustof (Which I've only handled in the store, but never actually
used) and my Henckels Pro are very sturdy rigid knives. Mine has an
excellent feel for me and as you indicated, that's what makes for personal
preference. I also have one of those nasty looking full sized chinese
butcher knives which used to be my favorite.
--
The Brick said that (Don't bother to agree with me, I have already changed my mind.)

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maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

Yes, I've heard of it. The "cure" that I have always heard is that the
recipient must give the donot a coin to "pay" for the knife so it is
not a pure gift. I have no idea where it originated.

gloria p

On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 23:52:23 -0400, maxine in ri <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

I heard about the knife one just a few years ago.

In reading this subject today, I'm finding out about a bunch of other
rituals (give money with the knife, don't give wallets without money
etc.).

They're variants on "If you do (or don't do) X, then something
terrible will happen."

"Step on a crack, break your mother's back."
"Send this chain letter to 10 people else something terrible will
happen."

As someone who hates this kind of stuff but can generally avoid it,
the problem with the "don't give X as a gift because something
terrible will happen" is the possibility that the recipient believes
in it. I wouldn't want to give a gift that makes someone
uncomfortable. Although it seems that if the giver accepts the token
money offered, the recipient will feel better. :>

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

On Sun, 07 Aug 2005 23:52:23 -0400, maxine in ri <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

I heard about the knife one just a few years ago.

In reading this subject today, I'm finding out about a bunch of other
rituals (give money with the knife, don't give wallets without money
etc.).

They're variants on "If you do (or don't do) X, then something
terrible will happen."

"Step on a crack, break your mother's back."
"Send this chain letter to 10 people else something terrible will
happen."

As someone who hates this kind of stuff but can generally avoid it,
the problem with the "don't give X as a gift because something
terrible will happen" is the possibility that the recipient believes
in it. I wouldn't want to give a gift that makes someone
uncomfortable. Although it seems that if the giver accepts the token
money offered, the recipient will feel better. :>

Sue(tm)
Lead me not into temptation... I can find it myself!

"Janet Bostwick" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Charles Gifford" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
snip
I haven't used either one

Quoted message said:

since I got my santuko. Really super knife!

Charliam

By it's nature, is the santuko a lighter-weight knife?

My Wusthof "Classic" santuko is not a light weight knife. It is quite hefty
feeling with excellent ballance. The blade is actually quite thick. The edge
with the giant scallops is very sharp. I am sure that there are others here
who can explain the engeneering of the design, but I can say that it slices
things amazingly well.

Charliam

Quoted message said:

The non-big-name
brands ones that I have held have seemed to light and thin for the body
size. They're been balanced, but didn't feel right in my hand--they felt
like they would be dangerous because the blade was thin and the whole

knife

Quoted message said:

lighter weight. For instance, I really love my 8-inch Chef's knife as

there

Quoted message said:

is weight that I can feel pressing against the heel of my hand, but the
blade is heavy enough, thick enough, that it feels right. It doesn't feel
like it would snap or skid sideways and the santuko knives that I hefted
did.

maxine in ri said:

On a mailing list, folks are discussing the superstition or custom of
never giving just a knife as a gift. One should always give it along
with something else, not knife-related, so that the friendship or
relationship will not be severed.

Has anyone ever heard of this custom before? Does anyone know from
whence it came?

maxine in ri

I have, but how did you learn about this???

I've heard that when you give a knife the recipient should give you a
penny - otherwise the knife will "cut" your friendship. I'm unclear
on the concept of how money counteracts the "cutting" and why the gift
of a knife could end a friendship in the first place.

I thought it was just some weird Asian superstition before you brought
it up. Now I'm don't know where it comes from because I think most,
if not all, of the people participating in this thread are of European
extract.