Valentine’s Day has come and gone, and if you missed giving that someone special a gift or at least a card, you have to wait a year. Better still, do it sooner, or that someone special may not be in your life that long.
The day was originally named after Saint Valentine in 496 by Pope Gelasius. The saint’s day was removed from the Roman calendar in 1969 by Pope Paul VI. Not exactly a cutting edge holiday, it has shown remarkable staying power. Most nations have some custom or celebration marking the love between two people. They go by various names, but I like the Guatemalan day, “Dio del Carino” or Day of Affection.
Naturally, I didn’t forget my wife. How could I? She grounds me, lifts me up and has my back. I would not be who I am without her love.
So what did I get her?
It’s a neck knife made by Gary Bucklew. The small 2-inch 440c steel blade has a dyed giraffe bone handle. The knife and its dark leather sheath is supported by a tiger conch shell necklace. I think it’s lovely and she likes it too. Or, at least she’ll wear it.
I got a partial mystery knife.
It’s a sailor’s knife with non-lockable marlin spike, sheepsfoot blade and can opener. The main blade is stamped Coricama and is claimed to be (here’s the mystery) 1950-ish Italian navy issue. I haven’t taken the time to research it.
I like odd knives. Not any oddity, but oddity as a result of function. Doctors’ knives are the perfect example. A proper one has a spatula for compounding and mixing, a slender blade for lancing boils and other minor surgery and a metal base for grinding medical ingredients.
Sailor knives are the next best example. A spike for working knots free and splicing lines, a blunt tipped knife to prevent injury while working on a rolling ship and can opener for survival rations are often the key components.
