Father's Day - Sell Your Dad a Knife

My Polish mother gave me a kitchen knife she did not use, but I had to pay her a penny for it.

I have a similar Leatherman Juice multitool and carry it with me any time I'm not in the office. I can't tell you how often and handy it is to have screwdrivers, knives, scissors, and of course a bottle opener. I have two young kids and it works well for both opening new toys and replacing batteries in old ones. It is not as small as just a knife, but I would not want to carry anything else. I have tried other multitool brands/styles and this one is a cut above (sorry, couldn't resist).

The same idea has been in my family for years. I can remember my Dad telling me that He was "lending" me a pocket knife, when transferring the knife to me

Our family also has the tradition for gifting knives. In our case, a penny is included with the gift and is returned as payment for the knife.

Is the one in the background ("... family heirloom") a Schrade, Walden N.Y. U.S.A.? I have just come into the possession of one with 832 stamped on one side with the other side stamped "Schrade, Walden N.Y. U.S.A." Unfortunately my Schrade comes with the tip broken off (less than a 32th of an inch.) But, I will use it as intended; carry it and use it as needs dictate.

The one in the back is from the Cattaraugus Cutlery Company out of Little Valley, NY. I've carried it for years and I have to say the steel is amazing. Check out the wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cattaraugus_Cutlery_Company
The funny thing is that it wasn't an heirloom when I found it-- it was in a suitcase full of junk-- but it will absolutely be an heirloom by the time I pass it along.
As a knifemaker, the coin/gift superstition ritual came up a lot. My usual tactic when giving a knife was to ask for a coin first without stating any reason. Eventually, everyone manages to produce a coin if you look like you need it badly enough. Depending on how you sell it, people will half-expect you to perform a magic trick when you finally get your coin. This is when (with flourish, of course) you give them the knife.
Believe me, this act is easier with pocketknives. I once tried this move with a custom carving set at a wedding. The bride produced a silver sixpence. The maid of honor cut an artery rummaging through the gift box.