Ivan the Butcher
Member
I was at a covered dish dinner, when I was either in high school or early college. We were given plastic silverware, and they had sliced roast beef. So after attempting one pass over the meat with the plastic knife, I pulled out my pocket knife and started cutting the meat.
The lady sitting on the other side of the table watched for a moment, then asked if I cleaned my toenails for that knife. I laid it down and pulled out my other pocket knife and informed her that I clean my toenails with it. Then I offered her the first one - if you would care to use this - and carefully wiped the blade of the second one with a napkin and then started cutting my meat again with the second knife.
And she and her husband shared that first knife between them so they could eat their supper.
And when they finished, she wiped the knife blade off carefully on her napkin, and thanked me very nicely as she handed it back.
I was at my 50th High School reunion just last weekend, we had some sort of grilled meat that was tougher than shoe leather, and of course plastic tableware! I EDC a Swiss Army Knife, so I cut my meat with it and offered the use to others at my table, NOT ONE OF THEM ACCEPTED! Nor did any of them have a pocketknife of their own. When we were in school all the guys had a knife in their pocket or a Buck 110 on their belt. Most of the girls had a pocketknife in their purse (and a few had 22's in there). What happened to the people that could take care of themselves in every situation?
In the early 70's I was in a "Mexican trade Center" and found a dealer in Victorinox knives. I bought one that appears to be a "Tinker" or a "Camper" (unmarked) but is the only small SAK I've ever seen with a seriated main blade. I now reserve it for camping.
I go to the thrift stores and by bags of used tableware for $1, run it all through the dishwasher. Then I pack a large and small spoon along with a fork in every BOB and vehicle. My second son uses Jet Boil equipment (which are very deep) so he carries Iced-Tea Spoons. The Hobo folders are too heavy for backpacking!
Ivan