Pocket Knives I have been collecting pocket knives since I was very young. Actually, collecting may be a misnomer. You see, the first several folding knives I got did not end up lasting me very long. There were small, cheap pocket knives – the types given to young boys so that they can not cause too much trouble with them. The first pocket knife I got quickly went dull under my constant whittling. I actually ended up chipping a couple pieces out of that knife, and my dad got me another one claiming that it was unsafe. Then I think I lost that one in the woods. My next few knives were similarly victims of carelessness or stupidity. I ruined of them trying to learn to throw it at a tree, and I somehow left another sitting in a puddle of water outside the door until it rusted – you get the idea. Finally, my dad stopped giving me pocket knives. He just didn't feel like I was responsible enough to own one yet. I was hurt by this and resolved that I would get another one, one way or another. I started to save up my allowance. I was sick of the cheap pocket knives I had been getting anyways. I figure that the next one I got would be very nice. I started doing odd jobs and trying to save up a little bit of extra money. Soon, I was actually working pretty hard. There is something about having to work for things that teaches you the value of money. When I was just getting Whittling knives for free, I did not think that much of them. When I had to scrimp and save every penny for a new Swiss Army knife, however, I finally started to register the value of money. It was definitely an important life lesson. Nowadays, I have a lot of collectors pocket knives. I have scrimshaw knives made out of real whale bones and even an antique stone dagger found at some archaeological site or other. Yet I still also have that first knife that I bought. I had to work for it, and because of that I treasure. It isn't in pristine condition – I still treated it kind of rough – but it still works. I have taken it apart, oiled the pieces, and put it back together again. Hopefully, I will have it for years to come. Maybe I will give it to my own son one day. Summary Pocket knives come in all sizes and shapes. Collectors of weaponry love specialty knives made from odd materials such as whale bone or antique pieces which cannot be found anywhere else. Proper handling and care is required to keep pocket knives in good working condition no matter what the age. Related Articles Tactival Knives Custom Knives On The Web Related Sites