Michael Satterfield
Growing up in a rural community and as an Eagle Scout carrying a pocket knife has been something I have done since I was around 11 years old. But as generations of young men grow up without those experiences the habit of carrying a pocket knife has started to fall by the wayside. Now, this doesn’t mean you need to carry a massive, springloaded, tactical knife… well at least not every day, but there are a lot of good reasons to get into the habit of carrying at least a small pocket knife as part of your everyday carry.
It’s a knife, so use it like one:
Opening packages, cutting of a random thread from your shirt, emergency roadside repairs, cutting someone free from a seat belt in a crashed vehicle. These are just a few things you can do with a pocket knife and all instances in which I have used my pocket knife. Like all tools, a good knife is worth investing in and maintenance is required to keep it sharp, clean, and ready to use.
It can be an heirloom:
I have several pocket knives, some that originally belonged to my Great Grandfather, Grandfather, and Uncle, a good pocket knife can be passed down for generations, with each generation adding their own adventures to its story.
They can be good investments:
Like anything pocket knives, especially vintage ones can be a good investment. Some versions of the classic 1920’s Remington UMC Boy Scout pocket knife can fetch more than $450, while early Case & Sons pocket knives can bring tens of thousands depending on their rarity and condition. You might just find a rare pocket knife at your next estate sale or antique store.
As an accessory:
My daily pocket knife when I am causal is a Victorinox Swiss Army Hunter Pro Alox in red with the paracord pendant which adds a pop of color to your pocket and makes accessing the knife easy. At $99 it is a great value and a nice size knife for everyday use and a very nice high-quality piece of design, you can carry with you. If I am dressing up a bit more I generally go with my Great Grandfather’s compact Mother of Pearl pen knife. Another favorite is my fully customized Deejo knife I designed with a carbon fiber case and personalized blade etching.
Carrying a pocket knife offers a lot of benefits, but be sure to check your local laws before you carry a pocket knife and remember you can’t take them with you when you travel or have to go into government buildings.
