Pen knives; show them off.

[SweeneyTodd]

Where will this all end? Shaving gear, cameras, pens; I thought I was the only one with so many "interests".

I've had penknives since a schoolboy, when the saying was that all you needed to carry was "a penknife, a piece of string and a bob"-the last being an old shilling, or 5p now.

The bottom knife in the first photo is Victorian, and was my grandfather's (b.1872). It's got more bits than the most elaborate Swiss Army, and the scissors actually pull out as a separate tool. I'll take some more photos of the constituents. Others are old, very worn ones handed down to me.

The yachting knives are vintage, from family sailing days, and most of the more modern ones would have me in jail (albeit for less time than faking a travel declaration), as they are over-length, lockers, or both.

 

[Tortuga]

Where will this all end? Shaving gear, cameras, pens; I thought I was the only one with so many "interests".

I've had penknives since a schoolboy, when the saying was that all you needed to carry was "a penknife, a piece of string and a bob"-the last being an old shilling, or 5p now.

The bottom knife in the first photo is Victorian, and was my grandfather's (b.1872). It's got more bits than the most elaborate Swiss Army, and the scissors actually pull out as a separate tool. I'll take some more photos of the constituents. Others are old, very worn ones handed down to me.

The yachting knives are vintage, from family sailing days, and most of the more modern ones would have me in jail (albeit for less time than faking a travel declaration), as they are over-length, lockers, or both.
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Very nice assortment of pieces

 

[SweeneyTodd]

Very nice assortment of pieces

Thanks. All have had a lot of use, and one of them got me out of a very tricky situation at sea, when I was working singlehanded as a commercial fisherman. I think that, for many of us (the majority) who use knives as tools rather than deadly weapons, the proscription of small lock knives in the UK is a great pity. They were hardly available here until perhaps 30 years ago, and even if you went to a decent cutler's or sporting goods shop, you'd likely not find one, apart from the French Opinels and occasionally a Laguiole. When I first bought one, I was mighty pleased to eliminate the chance of a non-locking blade accidentally closing on my fingers or hand whilst in use, and thus adding to the scars from such mishaps I already possessed.

 

[Chris]

I must admit that I struggle to think of a situation where a properly-used non-locking knife would fold when you didn’t want it to.

I disagree with the prohibition of locking knives but have never found it to be a practical problem.

 

[Northam Saint]

I must admit that I struggle to think of a situation where a properly-used non-locking knife would fold when you didn’t want it to.

I disagree with the prohibition of locking knives but have never found it to be a practical problem.

Agree. One of them rules that the majority are stopped because the minority and a very small minority at that, cause problems. But then there are youngsters carry as weapons, when I was a lad you’d get a beating for carrying a knife for “protection”. Things were sorted out over a couple of thumps ! Times change !

 

[SweeneyTodd]

I must admit that I struggle to think of a situation where a properly-used non-locking knife would fold when you didn’t want it to.

I disagree with the prohibition of locking knives but have never found it to be a practical problem.

Normally they don't (fortunately), but I've managed it when going rather hard at something under pressure, jamming the point into the target (combination or cored wire rope, I think) and making the blade shut on the other hand which was holding the item in question rather too close. Not a job I think many would encounter.

 

[J-B-M]

The law on lock knives makes no sense. Kids in London aren't committing crimes with Sebenzas, they are using 10 inch kitchen knives from their local supermarket.

That said, a locking blade is unnecessary for 99% of the things that I use a pocket knife for. The only time I really like a lock is when I use a folder for food prep tasks, which is once in a blue moon.

 

[Chris]

The law on lock knives makes no sense. Kids in London aren't committing crimes with Sebenzas, they are using 10 inch kitchen knives from their local supermarket.

That said, a locking blade is unnecessary for 99% of the things that I use a pocket knife for. The only time I really like a lock is when I use a folder for food prep tasks, which is once in a blue moon.

It was a mis-application of the law after a barrister successfully argued in court that a locking knife counted as a fixed blade when locked open and was therefore illegal to carry. There is only one shot at appeal and as the paperwork for the appeal was fluffed it was rejected despite the judge agreeing that the law had been misapplied. Judicial precedent has left us where we are now.

My Spyderco Dragonfly would make an excellent EDC knife but the lock says it’s not allowed.

 

[Rowlers]

My little Sanrenmu's work perfectly as EDC. I have one on every set of keys that I'm likely to pick up.
Must get around to buying another Higonokami though..,

 

[JamieM]

Knife crime is not committed with EDC lock knives or pocket knives, they are using fixed blade kitchen knives.

 

[Northam Saint]

All reminds me of a fellow scouter who didn’t like it that I had my Swiss Tool Knife on my belt. Thought that knives had no place in Scouting and that no one should carry any knife. Even after I had to use it to help him out, he still disagreed with them. BUT, knives and Scouting have always gone hand in hand. Knives are a fact of life, teaching safe handling and the do’s and don’ts are the key. Much the same as Air Guns, many of our Scouts live on farms, they live with Shot Guns in the cabinet but no one teaches them the handling of air guns. But, as a qualified BSBRA Youth Instructor I do and feel the importance of it.

 

[jphelan81]

Are Swiss army knives still decent? I remember having one when I was a kid, I'd quite like something for at home to open packages. Sire a Swiss army would be fine, any recommendations?

 

[JamieM]

Are Swiss army knives still decent? I remember having one when I was a kid, I'd quite like something for at home to open packages. Sire a Swiss army would be fine, any recommendations?

Yes, especially the alox versions.
swiss army alox knives - Google Search

 

[Holyzeus]

Are Swiss army knives still decent? I remember having one when I was a kid, I'd quite like something for at home to open packages. Sire a Swiss army would be fine, any recommendations?

If it’s just for packages how about an Opinel, it’s all I use

 

[Wayne]

If it’s just for packages how about an Opinel, it’s all I use

I have a kitchen drawer full of stuff that can open a package, no need to buy fancy locking blades for that although, getting a stone out of my Horses Hoof can be a pain at times.
(Forgive me Gentlemen, I don't understand your passion for knives, enjoy)