knives for food prep? - Page 2

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed 

Originally Posted by nononose 

I'm quite happy with my Henckle.  It's an 8", Professional S series.  I believe it was $160 or $180 3 years ago (to put things in Canadian dollars).  I have some cheaper Henckles that I am not at all happy with (and they have the blade extend into the handle as well).  I've used the Twin series and been pleased with them too.  Remember to exchange the coin if the knife is a gift ... (can't remember which way the coin goes, and no idea if you are superstitious, but I find these old ideas fun!).

Canadian dollars are about the same as American dollars right now.

What is this coin tradition?

There is a superstition that a gift of a knife or scissors will "sever" the relationship between the giver and the recipient. To prevent that from happening, a coin should be exchanged. In our family, the giver always tapes a coin to the blade, but I've also read that it should be the recipient who pays with a coin. 

I think it's similar to the tradition to always include a coin or a bill when giving a wallet or a purse to ensure that the recipient won't struggle with a life of empty wallets.

Enjoy your new knife! I hope you report back on it once you've used it for a while. 

[nononose]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed 

Originally Posted by nononose 

I'm quite happy with my Henckle.  It's an 8", Professional S series.  I believe it was $160 or $180 3 years ago (to put things in Canadian dollars).  I have some cheaper Henckles that I am not at all happy with (and they have the blade extend into the handle as well).  I've used the Twin series and been pleased with them too.  Remember to exchange the coin if the knife is a gift ... (can't remember which way the coin goes, and no idea if you are superstitious, but I find these old ideas fun!).

Canadian dollars are about the same as American dollars right now.

What is this coin tradition?

What I meant is that I purchased it locally in Canada at a time before I started searching for deals.  I haven't looked into the situation with knives, but many items are far cheaper when purchased online or from the US.  I was just trying to make a comparison easier, that's all.   

I'd have to look up the specifics of the coin tradition, but basically the gift of a knife is considered by some to be bad luck.  It can 'cut' a friendship.  To protect against that, a coin is exchanged (from recipient to giver) - so the knife is in a way purchased.  Any coin currency will do.  Often the giver of the knife will tape a coin to the knife to ensure that the recipient would have a coin to return to them.  Similar to giving a purse (or something meant to hold money) and including a coin in it.  I find these superstitions intriguing.

[nononose]

Sorry for the repeat - we must have been typing the same msg at the same time!  Enjoy the knife!

[ollyoxenfree]

Originally Posted by nononose 

Sorry for the repeat - we must have been typing the same msg at the same time!  Enjoy the knife!

LOL! Funny cross-posting, especially since we both mentioned the empty purse superstition too! 

Originally Posted by nononose 

  Often the giver of the knife will tape a coin to the knife to ensure that the recipient would have a coin to return to them.  

Ah! That makes sense! Thanks for explaining why our family always has the giver provide the coin. I think the recipient has usually kept it though, so we've lost the meaning of the exchange at some point. 

[nononose]

Originally Posted by ollyoxenfree 

Ah! That makes sense! Thanks for explaining why our family always has the giver provide the coin. I think the recipient has usually kept it though, so we've lost the meaning of the exchange at some point. 

I looked it up a few years ago because my family was confused about it too!