On Pocket Knives

 

I've carried a pocket knife of some sort practically all my life.  I honestly don't know how people who don't, get by. By 'pocket knife' I'm referring solely to folding knives of one sort or another - jack knives, pen knives, etc. I just find them an essential tool for daily life.

The picture shows some of the more traditional ones I own: left to right, an Opinel No. 8 I've had for over thirty years, showing considerable wear and tear. It was once lost in the garden at Brynbella Cottage in the mid-nineties, turning up rusty as hell and the blade seized in the handle. But a good clean and oil revealed that, although blemished, the steel was as good as ever and in common with all Opinels, when properly sharpened, you can shave with them. Second is an Opinel No.9, recently purchased which has seen no serious use yet.

Next up, my oldest and most treasured knife: an army-issue knife/can-opener by Taylor of Sheffield from 1943, which bears the military Broadarrow mark. I got this from my father when I was a kid; I believe it was issued to one of his brothers, both of whom served in the Second World War: Sam in North Africa and Arthur, who was caught up in Operation Market Garden at Arnhem, serving in the airborne and taken Prisoner of War there. I almost lost it when travelling abroad for the first time. Jane and I were taking an internal flight back to Athens from Santorini - in those days there was no international airport on the island, only a dirt strip and a glorified tin shed as a terminal. Nevertheless, the knife was confiscated and I was told I'd get it back in Athens. I honestly thought I'd seen the last of the thing, but sure enough, there it was on our landing at Athens. It goes nowhere now, for safe-keeping. It's another one made of beautiful steel: like the Opinels it can be honed to a razor sharpness, even now.

To its right is my Swiss Army knife, the third or fourth I've owned over the last thirty-odd years; this one I found encrusted with salt one winter, whilst working down by Fort Belan, near Caernarfon Airport. It was lying in the sand dunes at the rear of the castle. After a good clean, it's been a serviceable thing ever since and used to be my daily carry.

Last but not least are three Laguiole's which are made in France, like the Opinels'. The largest is really most useful as a portable steak knife and has been used to that effect. The other two are my current daily carry: the tiny one is used for sharpening pencils, cleaning fingernails etc. while the larger hunter-style locking knife does pretty good general service - it's strong and can honed pretty well for a stainless steel blade of its type, but doesn't come near the quality of the Opinel's or  the Taylor. Laguiole make carbon steel and Damascus blades, but they are fearsomely expensive.

I would recommend everyone carries a good pocket knife; as long as they're kept sharp and well maintained. My father's words are still with me: 'A blunt knife is a dangerous knife'.