On Carrying a Pocketknife
29th December 2023
Since time immemorial, men have carried weapons. They have done so—if they were real men—not to pick fights or unnecessarily injure other men, but in response to the heavy burden of walking life’s path in this world as a protector. Only a few centuries ago, a gentleman would wear a smallsword or spadroon just in case the need arose to defend his good name, as well as all those who shared in that name. As the smallsword was increasingly regulated by the law of the land, and gentlemen relied more on the State or, if it came to that, the courts, to settle their affairs, gentlemen nonetheless carried canes—around which sprang the martial art made famous by Sherlock Holmes: Bartitsu.
I have always carried a pocketknife (well, these days, a multitool) and probably always will. Every American male I know does the same.
December 30th, 2023 at 14:56
I was once astonished to discover neither of my male bosses carried a pocket knife. Okay, the Bostonian wasn’t too much of a surprise, but the (south) Virginian came as a bit of a shock. Since then I carry a pocketknife.