Yesterday I found myself at the local Target, partaking in the all-important traditional roundup of holiday essentials, when I mistakenly overshot the wrapping paper aisle and happened upon the guy aisle. Ah, yes, the guy aisle. Where almost everything is available in a delightful camouflage green, and flashlights can never be too big or too small. It was here that I stumbled upon a particular section of the aisle that I have since dubbed: the knife section of the aisle.
Now, I’ve never been (nor do I have any interest in becoming) one of those guys who always seem to have a knife clipped to the front pocket of their jeans. But a knife sure can be a handy thing to have. In fact, as I sat there in front of the knife display, staring at all the variations of stainless steel and serrations, and without so much as a conscious thought of owning a knife before this encounter, I found myself justifying a purchase, thinking back to all the times in my recent past when owning a pocketknife would have made for a practical alternative for all the razor blades, scissors, pens and uncoiled paperclips I’ve had to endure while making up for my knife shortcoming.
Needless to say I bought a knife. After all, every guy should have a knife. Whether it’s in the glove compartment of his car, or tactfully clipped to his belt, a knife is a tool… and that means every guy should have one. Between you and me, I think the message that was written on the back of my knife’s packaging is what sealed the deal on my new $17, 2.5” piece of serrated stainless steel:
“In a world gone soft, there are exceptions. There are people like you who still hike, fish, hunt, climb and tackle the though chores like your father did.”
It’s true. It’s so true.