by Kelly Reeves
The pocket knife has been an important tool for men across the world for centuries. Growing up in the 70s and 80s, every single man I knew carried a pocket knife every single day without fail.
The pocket knife is a tool that symbolizes utility and preparedness, and often marks a significant stage for boys in their long trip to manhood, when receiving their first one.
My first pocket knife was a very small two-blade CASE XX pen knife given to me by my adult neighbor and friend, Dan O’Connor, on my sixth birthday. I still have that knife today. He gave me the knife, a whet rock, and a little bottle of oil and taught me how to keep it sharp, and safely use it. There have been very few times since that day that I didn’t have at least one pocket knife in my pocket at all times.
Several years, several pocket knives, and many cut fingers later, on my 13th birthday, my dad gave me a little gift wrapped in Sunday comics, and a card. I opened the package to find a CASE XX two-blade ‘Trapper’ with carbon steel blades and smooth yellow plastic handles.
I opened the birthday card. Handwritten in the card was as follows:
“Happy Birthday, Boy. A pocket knife is the most used tool you’ll ever own. Keep it sharp and carry it every day. It’ll probably save your life some day; and if things ever get really, really bad you’ve always got something to take yourself out with!”
He had a way with words. I still have the knife and card to this day, and will pass it down to my boys some day. I carried that knife for a couple of years and then put it away for safekeeping, and carried a different one. On my 33rd birthday, he asked me if I still had that knife. I took it from my safe and handed it to him. He told me he needed to borrow it for a few days but would get it back to me. Several days later he returned the old Case knife with an upgrade. He had removed the yellow handles and made a new set of handles from a piece of Bois D’Arc wood he cut in a nearby creek bottom. The new handles looked like they were factory installed but are 100 percent handmade by him. After a few years of carrying it again, that knife is retired from use.
In many cultures, the pocket knife is more than just a tool; it’s a symbol of masculinity, independence, and self-reliance. It has been an essential everyday carry item that transcended class, from laborers to dignitaries, and from mountain men to businessmen. However, as society has modernized, the tradition of carrying a pocket knife seems to be fading away, replaced by digital devices, and tools that cater to more specific needs in today’s world.
The incident that got me to thinking about the changes concerning pocket knives and today’s men occurred while I was setting up the LIFE AND LAND booth at an outdoor expo several months ago. The large building was busy with activity as all the vendors set up their booths. I noticed two women in a booth across the room talking to each other and looking around as if they were searching for someone in particular. It didn’t make much of an impression on me until one lady pointed at me, and the other began walking my way. She came to me and said, “Excuse me sir. Do you have an EDC?” “I certainly hope not. That sounds terrible. What in the world is EDC?” I replied. “An everyday carry … a pocket knife,” she answered. “Well, yes. I have a couple,” I said while removing one from my jeans pocket. I let her borrow my knife and she told me that they had asked a number of men to borrow their knife but no one had one. She followed that up with, “You just look like you’d have a knife with you,” she said. I’m not sure that was a compliment, but I think it may have been. After that conversation, I began asking some of the men what kind of knife they carried. I could not believe how difficult it was to find a man with a pocket knife at an outdoors expo. I further noticed that, of the knives I did find, most were not traditional pocket knives. Several were more akin to a box-cutter with replaceable blades. The others were tactical type knives that didn’t have a scratch on them from use, or sharpening. I visited with a young man wearing a pair of britches so tight that I knew for a fact he didn’t carry a knife in his pocket. If he’d had a quarter in his pocket I’d have been able to tell if it were facing heads or tails. This fellow had a leather bag with a long shoulder strap draped across his body. I bragged on his bag a bit and asked him what he carried in the bag. I felt sure it housed an Uzi, or a handgun and a few extra magazines, and certainly a pocket knife of some sort. I was sadly mistaken. He proudly showed me the contents of his bag; a cell phone, fingernail clippers, two protein bars, a tube of chapstick, a pair of flip-flops, designer sunglasses, and the key fob for his Subaru. Everything but a pocket knife.
To fully understand why the tradition of carrying a pocket knife is dwingling away, you must first look back at its origins. The origins of the pocket knife date back to ancient civilizations. The earliest folding knives were discovered by archaeologists in Roman ruins, dating back to around 500 BC. Though crudely designed, these knives were designed to be portable and convenient for use in everyday tasks, from skinning game to preparing food, or defending oneself. For early tribes, a knife was essential for survival in the wild. The evolution of these knives into portable, foldable versions allowed them to become a staple in men’s pockets as towns and villages later began to form.
Toward the end of the 1700s, the pocket knife became more widespread among men of all social classes. Farmers used them for harvesting crops, cutting a plug of tobacco, or eating an apple. Craftsmen used them for detailed carving, and soldiers kept them at their sides for both combat and utility. As cities grew, knives were no longer just weapons but became tools of convenience for people in increasingly urban environments. In these early centuries, carrying a knife wasn’t just about survival; it was a practical necessity for handling daily tasks, such as peeling fruit, cutting rope, or whittling a piece of wood into something useful. The tradition of carrying a pocket knife became a sign of masculinity, symbolizing a man’s ability to be prepared for whatever life might throw his way.
The pocket knife’s presence in American history is particularly noteworthy. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the United States was a young and developing country, and the frontier life required a certain level of ruggedness. Pioneers, settlers, cowboys, and frontiersmen often carried a knife. The knife was indispensable for those men working the land, traveling long distances, or engaging in trades such as blacksmithing and carpentry. Knives were used for everything from skinning animals and building shelters to opening packages and preparing meals. In many cases, it was the only tool a man might carry with him all day, every day.
During the 1800s, the rise of the “gentleman’s knife” symbolized the balance between practicality and social refinement. The gentleman’s knife was smaller and more ornate than those carried by frontiersmen or laborers, often featuring fancy designs and engravings. These knives were discreet yet functional, serving as a practical tool for the upper class gentlemen while maintaining a sense of social decorum. It was a part of a man’s everyday attire, much like his hat or wallet. Working men of a lower socioeconomic class generally kept a similar knife, one of beauty with pearl or stag handles and some with ornate engravings, for use on church days. These were known as ‘Sunday knives’ and were only carried to church or special events only. Sunday knives were designed for light use and beauty.
The introduction of iconic knife brands like Schrade-Walden, Camillus, and Samuel Mason, and later on Case, Buck, and Victorinox further cemented the knife’s place in everyday American life. These brands became household names, known for producing high-quality knives designed for both utility and longevity. The Swiss Army Knife, for instance, became legendary not only for its multiple functions but also for its symbolism of preparedness. Carrying a knife was not just about having a blade; it was about having a tool that could handle a wide variety of tasks. For soldiers, farmers, craftsmen, and even office workers, a pocket knife was an essential tool.
The role of the pocket knife expanded even further during World War II. Soldiers in both the European and Pacific theaters were issued knives for combat and survival purposes. These knives became synonymous with the rugged, capable image of the American soldier, contributing to the knife’s place in popular culture as a symbol of strength and readiness.
After the war, the pocket knife remained a staple of American men. American men carried pocket knives not only for practical reasons but also as tradition. As urbanization increased, men still carried knives even in environments where they may not have been immediately necessary. Whether a man worked in an office or a factory, having a knife on hand was a sign of being ready for any situation. Now, back to my dad. As he got up in years he told me on several different occasons, “When something happens to me, I want to be buried in a pair of new overalls, and you make dang sure I have a fresh can of snuff and a razor sharp knife in my pocket. There’s no telling what I might get into ‘tween here and Heaven.” He passed away in 2020, and was buried exactly as requested.
Despite its long history, the tradition of men carrying a pocket knife seems to have seen a notable decline in recent decades. Several factors contribute to this including changing lifestyles, evolving societal norms, public safety concerns, and advancements in technology.
One of the key reasons for the decline is the shift in the types of work that men perform today. As economies have shifted from industrial and agricultural labor to service-type and technology-driven jobs, the real need for a daily-carry tool like a knife has decreased for many men. Today, most jobs require the use of computers, smartphones, and other digital tools, which don’t necessitate the daily use of a pocket knife.
Another factor is the increasing regulation and social stigma surrounding knives. In many urban areas, laws regarding the carrying of knives have become more strict due to concerns about safety and crime. In some places like airports, government buildings, theme parks and the like, carrying a knife can lead to legal trouble, regardless of the intent behind it. This has led many men to stop carrying knives in their daily lives, especially in cities where the need for a knife is seen as less necessary. Despite the decline in daily use, the pocket knife has not disappeared from modern life. For many, especially in rural areas or among outdoor enthusiasts, the pocket knife remains a valuable and cherished tool. Knife collecting has also grown in popularity, with many men appreciating the craftsmanship and history behind traditional pocket knives. Brands like Case, Buck, Camillus, and Queen are popular with the collectors, and men who prefer the quality of the original American steel blades.
The pocket knife may no longer be a daily carry item for most modern men, but its legacy endures. It remains a symbol of preparedness and tradition. The act of carrying a pocket knife is a nod to history and a statement of personal ethics; a quiet reminder that even in a world of advanced technology, there’s value in simplicity and self-reliance.
As we move further into the 21st century, it is unlikely that the pocket knife will ever regain the ‘necessity’ status it once had. However, for those who continue to carry one, it serves as a connection to a past where men were expected to be ready for anything. In that sense, the pocket knife will always be more than just a tool.
