The oldest known pocket knives were found in Hallstatt and date from 600 BC. C., made with a bone handle and a crude but simple folding blade design. The first century Romans are credited with creating the first folding pocket knife. They made it easy for soldiers and other explorers to carry them on their travels and conquests. They were easy to carry, lightweight, and easy to conceal, however as the use of sheathed knives became more popular, the use of pocket knives fell out of favor. The large blade with a fixed sheath made the blow more powerful than its small predecessor, the pocket knife. Many opted for this larger gun as their weapon of choice.
In the late 16th century, pocket knives began to regain popularity. They were especially popular in the American colonies, farmers, lawyers, and men from all walks of life began to wear them. The ultimate portable tool, the pocket knife was a useful aid in various tasks, including eating on the go. Pocket knives were also an essential tool for soldiers throughout American history. New York and New Hampshire required their militias to carry pocket knives during the American Revolution. Even George Washington carried a pocket knife. The US Navy began issuing pocket knives to sailors during the Civil War and during World War II the pocket knife was standard issue for American soldiers. Useful for so many things, this pocket knife was no longer just a fixed blade, but now they had added many useful tools to this compact design. Most GI knives had a can opener, pick, bottle opener, screwdriver, and of course, a knife blade. The pocket knife was now becoming an essential tool and not just a knife.
There are many types of pocket knives today, but the most famous of these is perhaps the Swiss Army Knife. This utility knife is a brand of pocket knife or multitool created in Switzerland in 1891, but was originally called the Swiss Officers Knife and only became known as the Swiss Army Knife after American soldiers during World War II were unable to pronounce the name. German. These knives can hold anything you can imagine, all placed inside a handle with a rotating mechanism. Most standard knives contain the main blade, a smaller blade, a screwdriver, a can opener, a bottle opener, a pair of tweezers, and a toothpick. The most advanced blades can carry up to 26 items and can even include a USB flash drive, LED light, and digital clock.
Although these pocket knives or multi-tools are readily available, many men still choose to carry a simple version like the razor that has a simple hinged blade and nothing more than a razor. The razor was originally designed to cut or sharpen the feathers of writing pens. The razor is good if you want more than one type of blade.
Pocket knives have been carried by men for centuries, but with increased security at the airport and other buildings, knives have been disappearing from men’s pockets. However, these minor hurdles are not reason enough to stop carrying a knife altogether. Carrying a pocket knife is a useful tradition that should continue as long as you follow the proper laws.