As we consider the perfect gifts for any special occasion consider the timeless gift of a knife for those on your list who appreciate fine craftsmanship. A knife is not just a tool but a piece of art, perfect for those who value quality and utility.
Gift a Knife: Include a Penny
The tradition of giving a knife as a gift is accompanied by an old but intriguing superstition: that a knife could symbolically “cut” the ties between the giver and the receiver, potentially ending love or severing the bond. To counteract this, a longstanding custom involves including a coin with the gift. Historically, even a simple penny suffices. The recipient then returns the penny to the giver, symbolically “buying” the knife, which is believed to maintain the bond between them.
The Origin of the Coin Tradition
This tradition, deeply rooted in superstition, hails from times when any metallic find was considered a gift from the gods, symbolizing good luck. Today, while pennies are commonly used, many prefer to gift more symbolic or specially designed coins to accompany their knife gifts, adding a layer of personal touch and good fortune.
KRUDO’s Custom Engraving
KRUDO Knives is proud to offer an exclusive enhancement to your thoughtful gift with our custom-engraved knives and coins. Crafted from durable titanium or bronze, these coins are not available for purchase on our site, making them an exceptionally unique addition to any gift. Perfect for commemorating any special occasion, you can personalize and engrave these coins, ensuring each gift is truly one-of-a-kind. Design a coin in collaboration with KRUDO or select from our exclusive range of pre-designed coins, adding a memorable and lasting symbol to your thoughtful gift.
Should You Include a Coin with Your Knife Gift?
Including a coin with a knife gift, whether it’s a simple penny or a custom-engraved piece from KRUDO Knives, continues to be embraced by many as a nod to tradition and a sprinkle of good luck. This gesture not only enriches the gift but also connects it to a storied practice that knife enthusiasts and collectors cherish.
So, as you select a knife for that special someone, consider enhancing this already excellent gift with a custom coin from KRUDO Knives. It’s not just a gift; it’s a piece of tradition, a token of luck, and a keepsake that will be valued for years to come.
A variation on this tradition in Newfoundland is to give the knife stuck blade first into a piece of wood. Works for larger objects to like an axe. Same sort of reasoning, so you won’t cut the friendship or so the recipient won’t cut themselves.
I once gave a switchblade to a good friend as a gift, no coin included. The first time he hit the botton to open it it flipped out of his hand and stabbed into his ankle.
I often gift knives to myself. Never heard of this before…maybe it doesn’t work unless you give it to someone else. Anyway, with one of my “self-gifted” knives I got a little careless with how close I was holding it to my body while flipping it open. Felt a tug and looked down at my shirt. Low and behold there was a neat little slice in the fabric. As I watched in fascination, a single drop of blood oozed out of a meat-slice I didn’t feel. Sharp knife. Stupid operator. Next time a coin, or perhaps leave the blade in the display case.
Awesome story!
This works,, have given many knives as gifts with the coin and story.. and in faith the story has kept on goin since with my family.. funny thing is,, I believe it to be true,how I first heard of it I can’t remember. Have a great holiday, always enjoy your family… much love and peace
That’s interesting! Thanks for the feedback. Love and Peace to you and yours!
The penny is used to lay on the sharpening stone flat with the knife blade resting on the penny in the stone to give it 17° angle on both sides of the knife.
Thanks for that info
We were given a gift of a knife set by a visiting chef who had been my husband’s friend since childhood. Within a couple of days he left, saying things were not working out. He didn’t explain, and we’ve never understood, why he severed the friendship. When my MIL found out, she told us, “Knives cut friendships.” I’d never heard that before, but since then I’ve been careful to avoid giving knives as gifts. However, a close relative is in need of good knives for his new house, so I looked up this superstition. So happy to discover the penny solution!
Being Scottish I have heard this one, along with other han(d)sel traditions
In our family the custom with knife was to cut something like a piece of string, so that you didn’t cut the friendship
Money was for purses or wallets
What if you find out after the fact? Can you run back with a coin?? How do you fix that superstition a month later?
Hi Need To Know! Thanks for the awesome question! It’s quite a predicament if you’ve gifted a knife with no coin included. We suggest you give the new knife owner the coin……and since it’s after the fact….with interest applied. The rate of interest can vary according to how much you actually like the person.
But, seriously, it’s a superstition and, by nature, not really…..real. We here at KRUDO Knives are not superstitious in the least and recommend you not give a single ounce of concern about appeasing any superstition. Take a look at some of the historical knife traditions we just recently wrote about when you have a chance. https://www.krudoknives.com/krudo-khronicles/knife-traditions-knife-superstitions/
I am a collector of pocket knives, have over 500 in my collection. Throughout my life, I have received knives as gifts countless times, some with a coin, more without one. I have been (and still am) married to my beautiful wife for 41 years now. Relationships fail for many reasons, none of them knife related.
William
I too am a Advid Knife Collocter 🔪 having around 1800 in my Collection. Grandfather gave me my 1st pocket knife at 7. Along with the Penny Story. I continued to Colloct my entire life having many gifted to me from Family and Friends sum with coin others without. I’m with wife now 29yrs however I believe the Penny Story as it was told to me by Grandpa.. Enjoyed my years of collecting and have a story for Every Knife in .my Collection also have every coin I’ve received back from Knives I’ve Gifted to people over the years.
I´m an interpreter in a South American country and a couple of years ago the King of Sweden was visiting (the Swedes have strong business ties to my city). The mayor of my hometown gave him a knife from a local artisan, if I remember the King collects them. The King said it was traditional in Sweden to give back a coin, I imagine to symbolically turn the gifting into a transaction. He asked his entourage if anyone had a coin, a Swedish crown appeared and the king remarked the bust was of his grandfather. He gifted it to the mayor and everyone was happy.
Now that is the way my grandfather taught me the tradition works. Never accept a cutting utensil of any type as a gift without out paying something to the gift giver, because it will cut your relationship. He did say however, that you can exchange knives without exchanging coin.
While in Firenze last Fall, I bought a beautiful Berti pocket knife. The salesperson taped a coin to it and started to explain when I said I was aware of the tradition. I tried to give it back to her, which was weird because I was already paying good money for it. She declined and I said, “Well what’s the point?” But then the language barrier intruded.
My family tradition solved the problem by never gifting a blade! You always sell it for a penny.
My mother in law gave me few knives and I gave 10 cents for return . What is this mean. I never had such thing like this. What is this mean
My very dear friend just gave me some knives because she plans to move in the future. Before accepting them, I told her that there was a tradition in my family of exchanging a coin but I couldn’t remember which denomination. My grandmother and mother have transitioned so I couldn’t ask them for their opinion. I do remember the family always insisted that you give a coin if you gave knives. Therefore, I looked it up on Google and I appreciate all of the information an input that I received from the website. I’m going to give her the knights back and then ask her to put a penny in it, and I will give the penny back to her. I intend to keep up the tradition / superstition.
I once gifted someone the same knife three times. The first time he was super surprised, the second time he was saying no with both handheld out, and the third time he was crawling on the floor screaming please no! I’m guessing he didn’t like it very well…