Is it Bad Luck to Give a Knife as a Gift?
Short answer: no! That said, many cultures believe it to be bad luck, and in Japanese folklore if one chooses to terminate the bonds of friendship or love with another, a knife is given as a symbolic 'severing' of ties between the two parties. But here in Canada, receiving a knife as a gift is cause for celebration! Countless Birthdays, weddings and a plethora of other joyous occasions are often marked by the offering of rectangular boxes bursting with steel and wood! So how do we avoid this long held superstition, and keep our relationships intact while still being able to shop at your favourite knife store?
The answer is simple: Include a coin in the box.
The truth is, this is done in many cultures to counteract the bad vibes that a gift knife may unintentionally bring. The coin is used to symbolically “purchase” the knife from the person presenting it to you. Upon accepting their brand new knife, all they have to do is remove the coin, admire its beauty, and then give it back to you. Now the transaction is complete, and your relationship can remain unharmed!
Regardless of who you're buying for or how superstitious they may be, just throw any coin in the box and you'll be good to go! Unless of course you really are trying to shed some deadweight from your life, then feel free to skip the coin.
